Short range report with the .357s

[2ndovc]

I didn't have a lot of time this morning, but was excited to shoot the .357s I picked up yesterday.

The man that owned them had been shooting both with a lot of .38 Specials. The chambers were really dirty and still need more cleaning. the 586 was sighted in for .38s, at 25 yds they hit point of aim. I wasn't shooting very well this morning, too much coffee and too many distractions. The iphone almost caught a round. The S&W definitely has the potential for an excellent shooter. I have to change the grips, they are way too big for my hands.

Both actions have been worked over. Triggers are excellent and the DA in the 586 is super smooth. The Vaquero will take a little playing around with finding the right load, but they're so much fun to shoot I'm not all that worried about it being a tack driver.
A little work I'm sure I can cut both of those groups in half.



jb

[JimT]

Any time at the Range is better than being in a cubicle in the Office.
I am betting you really shoot those well.

[Drawdown]

A 6" S&W 357 was always my pistol, mine a Mod 19. I kinda abandoned it when I started packing 4" 45acp, because it's so light and handy, but the S&W is my first love! Good shooting!

[piller]

586 has always been a nice gun. Hope you enjoy both.

[2ndovc]

Any time at the Range is better than being in a cubicle in the Office.
I am betting you really shoot those well.

Fortunately, I work from home, if I'm not on the road inspecting insurance losses. My office is also my gun room, it makes for a good distraction some days, but you're right. Getting outside, watching the storms come and go and enjoying the weather before the humidity really gets up there is great therapy. Especially with a couple of six shooters along.

DD and Brian,

This is the third 586 I've had and the first one I've had shoot well. To be fair, the last one was a new one I bought a few years ago. Couldn't make that thing shoot well as hard as I tried. Ended up trading it in towards the 327 TRR8. That one shoots great, plus I've always preferred the n frames. The first one I had, looked like it had been through a fire and then left in a closet for a couple decades.

jb

[Nath]

I like that Smith. I could have me some fun with that!

[2ndovc]

Thanks Nath!

I gave them another good cleaning. Got all the gunk out of the chambers and not the .357s will drop in and out. Still have some lead in the bores, but I'll get it out eventually.
At least they don't smell like cigarettes anymore. I'm going to have to put the boxes in the attic, they're stinking up my closet.

I need to switch the Dillon back over to .357 and get some loaded. Need to make some for my dad's Pythons and Troopers for his trip back to FL.

jb

[Scott Tschirhart]

Getting the gunk out will probably will make them shoot much better.

I used to come home from work and shoot at least 50 rounds of .22 in my back yard every day. But I did not clean that bore for months. Big mistake. I got to where my groups got to be larger than the small steel plates I was shooting at.

The lead came out in ribbons. I don't hesitate to clean bores and chambers now. Hoppes No. 9 is my friend.

[Walt]

Hey 2ndovc, have you ever used all-copper Chore Boy to get the lead out? It's something that Bill Wilson recommended in his book, "The Combat 45 Auto". I cut off a piece and wrap it around a worn out bore brush and it works great because the edges are sharp. Being much softer than the bore, it does no damage. I shoot only cast bullets and when I need to get out some stubborn lead, the Chore Boy works best. Be sure you get only the all-copper version, not the copper plated stuff.

[2ndovc]

Walt,

I've done that in the past with surplus rifles and steel wool /ribbon. I didn't want to do that with the 586, thanks for the suggestion and using copper. That should help.

jb

[Pitchy]

Nice guns jb and thanks for sharing your shooting.

[piller]

I have had good luck with Ed's red. Not sure with seriously leaded barrels.