Python accuracy?

[Thor]

Even though the Python is a heavy gun it is possible to shoot it loose with heavy loads. I had a brand new one back in the mid 70s that I shot a lot of hot hand loads in and it totally lost its timing of the cylinder/barrel alignment and it would spew bits of shaved jackets out the side. I had an unfortunate shooter receive a bit of the jacket in his neck from Python. So I stopped firing it and returned it to Colt, they sent me a brand new Python and I backed off the loads a bit and never had any more problems. My handloads that caused the problem were a 150 Sierra JHC bullet in front of a maximum load of Wincheser 296 Ball powder. I dont know if I just had a lemon or did I really mess up in loading those hot loads. I shoot a similar load in my heavy Model 27 SMith 357 Magnum and have had no problems in it. Well, that was my experience with the two Colt Pytons I have had, they were phenomenally accurate. The hot load would group in 4" at 100 yds with open sights, I have never been able to duplicate that accuracy since, but at what price I paid for it.