Model 66-2 has a new home

[Jal5]

Took the plunge yesterday and bought my first revolver! Model 66-2, SS, 6in. barrel with orange fr. sight, adj. rear site, factory wood grips in 357mag. I have some dies I got from another member here and am anxious to start lworking up a load.  I could use some directions as far as powder and bullets to start with for 38spl and 357 as the former owner never reloaded for it. He says its super accurate with factory ammo and shot 158gr jacketed rounds in 357. Are there any issues with this gun I should know about? It has been well taken care of, one owner and he didn't really shoot it that much.  I think I got a good deal at $375, what do you think?  Ser. no. starts AJTxxxx, any ideas about the date? Will post a pic later. thanks for the help.
If our weather in Ohio ever clears up I plan on spending a day at the range! 2 guns I am working on right now as far as reloading.
Joe

[Swampman]

I wouldn't shoot a lot of hot loads in it.  I'd stick with .38 Specials mostly.  I love the Model 66.

[Graybeard]

Yes you got an excellent buy in it. I picked up my current 6" 66 at a gunshow a few years back for $450 but it did come with a nice leather holster. Of course I didn't really need the holster as I already had one but it did help the sting of the price a little. I'd been looking for one unsuccessfully for years at gunshows so when I found it I didn't walk away without it.

I've owned quite a few S&W 19s and 66s over the years but had let them get away when I located this one and bought it. I've since picked up a 4" as well.

I realize popular view is these aren't up to full magnum loads but to me that's a load of horse pucky. I've been shooting full magnum loads in mine since I bought my very first M19 over 40 years ago. Back in those days the factory loads pushed 158s at 1550 fps. Today the hottest factory loads don't even push 125s that fast. The factories have tamed the .357 magnum down drastically from what it once was when that info Swampman put out was formulated. Personally I didn't believe it then and don't now.

Do as you wish in yours but I shoot mine with full power loads pretty much exclusively just as I've been doing for 40+ years.

I use Bullseye and 2400 primarily but W296/H110 is also a good choice for full magnum loads. Nothing tho beats 2400 in the .357 in my opinion. Unique is another good choice. For 125s I use a max book load of Bullseye and for all others I use around a book max charge of 2400 and have been known to use the older loads that are above current book loads but do not recommend it. Stick with current book loads and it should serve you long and well.

[Hank08]

I have to agree with Greybeard, I won my 4" RB 66 in a pistol shoot in 1979 and have been shooting full power .357 loads in it for 30 yrs.  It's seems as tight as it ever was
and hasn't lost any of it's accuracy.
H08

[Mohawk]

My 19-5 has been pushing .357 full power loads since I got her in 2002. She is as good as ever. Duty loads at the time were Rem .357 158gr. SJHP at 1,235fps and she loves them. Still tight. Her old load was a 158gr. SWC at 1,550fps and she didn't flinch. Keep her clean and she will stay mean!!!!

[Jal5]

Just thought I would update this and add the pic I promised. This gun is a real delight to shoot. I am still working on the best load but have narrowed down some recipes for LSWC 158gr. and XTP/HP also in 158 gr. using Unique. I plan to try some Bullseye and Titegroup too and see which one it likes the best.

Joe

[John R.]

I have a 4" 66 with recessed cylinders that I love. Unfortunatley my wife decided she needed it on her side of the bed for a home defense weapon. I still sneak it out and shoot it from time to time though.