Colt Python & 194 gr Bradshaw-Martin

[Lee Martin]

I've been wanting to try our 194 gr Bradshaw-Martin bullet in a .357 Magnum. David recommended 12.5 grs of H110/W296, having success with it in his Smith & Wesson. I went a bit lighter at 12.0 and shot them from my 2020 Colt Python. The gun has proven exceptionally accurate with a 160 gr Accurate Molds slug.


My 2020 Colt Python. The gun was worked over by Mike Heffron, with the SA pull coming in just over 2 lbs:



Left - Accurate Molds 160 gr, Right - 194 gr Bradshaw-Martin deep seated. To clear the cylinder, the driving band is pushed around 0.030" below the case mouth:



Shooting was done offhand at 25 yards. The first group shocked me. Center hold on the plate, they kept landing on top of one another. No way could I repeat this on demand. However, it does illustrate the potential of our bullet in the .357 Magnum:



After a slight sight adjustment, subsequent groups remained tight:





All of these are 5-shot patterns. The way they splattered makes it look like more. And while I only fired 100 rounds through the gun, I'm confident in saying our bullet performs better than the 160 gr Accurate (at least in this Python).

-Lee
www.singleactions.com
"Chasing perfection five shots at a time"

[41freak]

Lee, is that the 36-160F Accurate Molds? I need to order the 194gr mold now that I have a Redhawk 357.
With your load about what velocity do you think you are getting?

[sixshot]

Lee, those groups are exceptional, a fine bullet in a fine gun. Nicely done as usual.

Dick

[Lee Martin]

Oct 1, 2023 23:33:47 GMT -5 41freak said:

Lee, is that the 36-160F Accurate Molds? I need to order the 194gr mold now that I have a Redhawk 357.
With your load about what velocity do you think you are getting?

I mistakenly called it a 160 gr bullet. It's actually Accurate Mold's 36-158V design. As for the 194 gr Bradshaw-Martin, I haven't chronographed that .357 Mag load yet. But if I had to guess, I'd say just over 1,000 fps.

-Lee
www.singleactions.com
"Chasing perfection five shots at a time"

[bushog]

Very nice….

Thanks Lee

[contender]

I've been having so much fun with that 194 grn bullet in my Maxi & a few friends who own Maxi's that I haven't tried it in a Magnum yet. Now I'm thinking again, and that's dangerous.

[weiler]

So Lee, now that you've shot the worked over Python a bit, how do you like it vs. an L frame Smith? Assuming cost was the same

[silcott]

I have quite a few 194 gr Bradshaw-Martin that a member here cast for me. But I'm eventually going to run out. This is an amazing bullet and I really don't wanna be without. Is anyone cutting this mold?


Justin

[gman50]

It has been added to the Accurate Molds catalog.

[Lee Martin]

Oct 2, 2023 12:39:28 GMT -5 weiler said:

So Lee, now that you've shot the worked over Python a bit, how do you like it vs. an L frame Smith? Assuming cost was the same

I'd have a hard time picking between the two if they were the same price. The Python is very smooth and very accurate. But L-frames are fine shooters and can be made damn near as smooth with the right action job.

-Lee
www.singleactions.com
"Chasing perfection five shots at a time"

[Lee Martin]

Oct 2, 2023 13:10:17 GMT -5 silcott said:

I have quite a few 194 gr Bradshaw-Martin that a member here cast for me. But I'm eventually going to run out. This is an amazing bullet and I really don't wanna be without. Is anyone cutting this mold?


Justin

Here's the link to the mold:

www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=36-190D

-Lee
www.singleactions.com
"Chasing perfection five shots at a time"