Two Holy Grails in a heads-up!

Harry Callahan

Harry Callahan

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Beautiful day at the range today with my new to me '57 vintage Colt Python and one of my most accurate .357 revolver, a sweet S&W 627-0.

I brought the good ol' Python to see how it would stack up against my 627... Well I'll be damned!!!

From each revolver, 25 rounds of .38 148's wadcutters at 20 yard, both wrists supported:

IMG_3735_zps9ndgdgb9.jpg
IMG_3734_zpsutifcwgd.jpg
 
Harry Callahan said:
Beautiful day at the range today with my new to me '57 vintage Colt Python and one of my most accurate .357 revolver, a sweet S&W 627-0.

I brought the good ol' Python to see how it would stack up against my 627... Well I'll be damned!!!

From each revolver, 25 rounds of .38 148's wadcutters at 20 yard, both wrists supported:

IMG_3735_zps9ndgdgb9.jpg
IMG_3734_zpsutifcwgd.jpg
Click to expand...

I had a '57 vintage Python myself but I ended up making a trade with a collector and site member for a new in the box 1980 vintage model, plus cash.



Using the same HBWC as you were using and in 38spl loads, this is how it did one evening at the club, off hand, ten shots slow fire.



One of my better, ;) best nights :) .

And, here's the replacement with a smaller 'relative', a 4" Diamondback in .22LR

 
Your making it hard not to hate ya Harry......I'm only a little bit jealous....yah..right......nice shooting..great pistols...
 
Nice looking groups, but even better looking revolvers. I need to get my .357s out some more - been on a 1911 kick as of late.
 
Chrossphyre said:
What are the other specs in this reload? They were .38 Spec. correct?
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Correct. It's a 148gr lead hollow base wadcutter bullet that sits flush with the case with a light half turn crimp. Very mild load with a velocity of ~750 fps. The ammo shot yesterday were commercial reloads (Centaure). It's probably one of the most accurate bullet you can find and gives you nice clean holes when it goes through the paper.
 
Johnn Peterson said:
I had a '57 vintage Python myself but I ended up making a trade with a collector and site member for a new in the box 1980 vintage model, plus cash.

Using the same HBWC as you were using and in 38spl loads, this is how it did one evening at the club, off hand, ten shots slow fire.

One of my better, ;) best nights :) .

And, here's the replacement with a smaller 'relative', a 4" Diamondback in .22LR
Click to expand...

I hear you John! The wadcutters are probably the best ammo to shoot through the old girl. At what distance you shot that target?

On the plus side, this '57 Python as been used and shows tiny signs of age, I won't feel guilty to shoot it with mild .38's on special occasions. As a matter a fact, it's the reason why I've listed my '77 Python on the EE. It's been sitting in the safe for too long. I have a hard time bringing myself to shoot it due to it's beautiful overall condition.
 
Thanks for the kind words guys. It's also been a while since I shot some revolvers too so when I looked at what to bring at the range I thought it would be fun to compare both of these.
 
Harry Callahan said:
I hear you John! The wadcutters are probably the best ammo to shoot through the old girl. At what distance you shot that target?

On the plus side, this '57 Python as been used and shows tiny signs of age, I won't feel guilty to shoot it with mild .38's on special occasions. As a matter a fact, it's the reason why I've listed my '77 Python on the EE. It's been sitting in the safe for too long. I have a hard time bringing myself to shoot it due to it's beautiful overall condition.
Click to expand...

That particular target was shot years ago at our indoor range at our Cowichan F&G Club in the Duncan area. The load was 2.8gr of Bullseye in 38spl cases as I recall.
 
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Beautiful guns.

Try changing the grips on your Python.

I put a set of finger grooved grips on my Python and found an improvement in the groups. The new grips fitted my hand really well.
 
You may find a marked increase in accuracy loading your bullets long for your .357 chambers. I use .357 brass and load long, 3.2 grains of bullseye. With my part done well I can print the same group as you standing without support. That's using a lowly 686 too...
 
B said:
You may find a marked increase in accuracy loading your bullets long for your .357 chambers. I use .357 brass and load long, 3.2 grains of bullseye. With my part done well I can print the same group as you standing without support. That's using a lowly 686 too...
Click to expand...

I used 2.8gr of Bullseye in 38 spl cases and I did try 3.5gr in 357 cases. Trying them in my old Python and in a S&W 6" model 27, accuracy, for me, was almost identical. So, I just stuck with the 2.8gr loads in 38 spl. cases for my more serious indoor 'paper punching' loads.
 
Would love to see a true 25 yard comparison. Please don't discount cast FWC bullets. Expertly reloaded using the same powder charge, most are on par with swagged wad cutters. At the 25 yard line.

The real challenge is the 50 yard line. Side by side using the same noted load, my bet is the Python creaming the 627...
 
highlander said:
Beautiful guns.

Try changing the grips on your Python.

I put a set of finger grooved grips on my Python and found an improvement in the groups. The new grips fitted my hand really well.
Click to expand...

I could never shoot a python well with those horrid factory grips. The way the bottom curves forward causes my little finger to ride up over the adjacent finger. I dislike the way the trigger stacks in DA as well.

Nice shooting Harry.

Auggie D.
 
Auggie Doggie said:
I could never shoot a python well with those horrid factory grips. The way the bottom curves forward causes my little finger to ride up over the adjacent finger. Auggie D.
Click to expand...

Yep, I know what you mean.

The finger grooved grips I bought actually narrow at the bottom which lets your little finger fold naturally. Also, with the finger grooved grips you hold the pistol in the same way every time, which aids in keeping your groups consistent.
 
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