Mod 97 question

[doghawg]

 Can anyone give me the maximum cartridge length a Mod 97 cylinder will allow? I'm torn between a .41 mag or .44 spl. It's not a big issue because if I want super heavy bullets I'll use a bigger gun but am curious if all the loads cooked up for my other .41's would work in the 97. On one hand you can't own too many .41's .....On the other hand the Mod 97 and the .44 spl seem like a perfect marriage..........

[MarkH]

1.625", I believe.

[paul105]

Dawg,

My .45 Colt cylinder measures 1.620"

My .357 cylinder measures 1.628"

My .22 LR cylinder measures 1.627" (didn't measure the .22 Mag Cyl but should be the same or very, very close).

Remember, the cylinders are recessed for cartridge case rims, so overall length will be less.  I usually try to keep the OAL at 1.600 or less for loaded rounds.


I'd probably go with the .44 Spcl.  More lattitude with overall length constraints.   With that said, I load the 270 SAA and the 300gr RCBS with the crimp over the front drive band (powder reduction to compensate for reduced case capacity) in the .45 Colt -- kinda funky looking, but work fine.

I just got the .22 (5 1/2" bbl w/.22 mag cyl)-- absolutely love it -- don't know why I waited so long.

The .45 Colt is great -- 300gr RCBS SWC GCs  at 1,130 fps hit virtually same POA as 270 SAAs at 900 fps (both bullets from Mt Bullet Works).  With the 4 1/4" barrel, it makes a great "Packin Pistol".

I'm sure you will be happy with either one.

Paul

[doghawg]

 Thanks for the info Paul. I've been watching the auctions for a "deal" on a 97 but it ain't lookin' good. I almost bid on that .44 spl a few weeks ago but for $1550 it seemed a better idea to spend another hundred or two and just get a new one exactly as I wanted it. A .44 spl Mod97 with 5 1/2" barrel, action job and micarta grips seemed like the way to go until I read your post.....now a .22 and .45 are appealing too....