Bullet Diameter for .357 magnum Model 97

[JayCee]

I've been shooting .358 diameter hardcast bullets in my Model 97, but the chamber throat is so tight that it's hard to get the cartridge to seat all the way in the chamber.  Should I be using a .357 or even a .356 diameter bullet?  What do you guys who shoot a .357 magnum Model 97 use?

[c.r.]

JayCee,

I don't have any real world experience with an FA, but FA does have the following spreadsheet about different specs for different models.  I found this while researching my 44 spec. purchase.

http://www.freedomarms.com/spec.pdf

FA suggests a .357 bullet per the data.

hope that helps.
~c.r.

[Wiking]

I'm having the same problem, almost anyway. Here's a thread on it, it's still alive so if you check in on it once in a while you might get the answers you're looking for!
Mine is a M83 but I can se on the spreatsheet that twist and intended bullet dia. are the same.

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,186275.0.html

[Humbo]

I had the same problem wth my .454, I was sizing bullets to Freedom Arms specs, but still I had problems with WFN bullets to chamber. Not all die manufacturers account for alloy springback, and that is what happened to me. When accurately measuring bullets a couple of days after sizing, they exceeded the FA specs for that particular cartridge. Now with a proper die and my bullets land right at .452, which is the throat diameter of my gun, and they chamber just fine. Try to measure your bullets with a micrometer some time after sizing, they might actually be larger than you think. Solutions could be to size .0005 to .001 under throat diameter, or to use an alloy with less springback.

[HAMMERHEAD]

I like to use Hornady .358" SWC's in my 97/.357, but I have to put the shoulder near the case mouth so they will chamber OK.
Unfortunately Hornady doesn't make .357" lead bullets, and I'm not a fan of cast for velocities under 1,000 fps.

[JayCee]

Thanks for the help, guys!  I went to a .357 diameter bullet, and it chambers perfectly.