Does anyone make a .357 magnum cartridge that is comparable to a .38 special ? I prefer shooting .357's in my .357's to keep the cylinder from fouling but, they can be hard on the K-frames (and me). What would be the weakest .357 ammo ? Thanks

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Cliff

Most of your factory .357's are light compared to what they used to be in the older days even up to the 1960's. The old 158 grain loads pushed 1,500 fps and then some and the reloading manuals that I have from the late 1950's have some rounds even getting near 1,600 fps. I think some of the 158 grain loads like Remington with their JSP are the weakest I have ever shot and I know they are at the 1,200 fps mark, but I don't know of any that might be less powerful than that without having to step down to .38 +P loads. I'm not sure if you will reliable pressure and ignition with really light loads like the .38 in a .357 case, there is a pretty big gap between the two.

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Vaya con Dios

Speer makes a 135gr Gold Dot Short Barrel which even in a 4 or inch barrel will still only do 1,100 fps

I have been shooting 38 specials in 357's for 40 years and have yet to have problems with cylinder fouling. After firing, I clean the cylinder with the same brush I clean the barrel with. If you really want to, there is no problem with loading light loads in 357 cases. Just don't use the lowest suggested 38 special loads.

Go to the local gun stores or online and look for Cowboy Action loads (MidwayUSA will have them). They will be 125 or 158 grain lead bullets at ".38 Special" velocities.

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Have guns...will shoot'em.

OK Great. Thanks for the tips!

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Cliff

Looks like the Black Hills 158 gr at 800 fps may be what Im looking for. There is a cowboy action gun store down the street that will probably have them. I'll give them a try!

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Cliff

I have found a 40 caliber brush does a much better job of cleaning a 38/357 chamber than a 38/357 barrel brush since the chamber is bigger than the barrel.

Speer's 135gr SB .357 Magnum load is rated at only 990 fps from a 2" barrel. I can't see it doing much more than that even in a 4" barrel. that load is only a glorified .38 Special +P load in .357 Magnum brass. It's probably just what you're looking for. Remington Golden saber ammo is lighter than most other magnum loads but nowhere near as light as the Speer short barrel load.

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Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

I suggest you sell your .357 Magnum revolver and buy a .38 Special since this is the power level what you want to shoot. This will solve all your problems and you'll have a vast selection of cheaper, lower-power ammo.

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Steve
NJ State Trooper (rtd)

The CCI Blazer 158 gn is a little faster, it lists around 1150 fps with the 158 gn.

I have chronographed the Blazer 158gr .357 from 3 & 4in S&Ws and got approximately 960 to 990 fps. M65 and M28. see below...........

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dd884
JMHO-YMMV

Go to the gun store and buy a reloading machine, then you can as many as you want without getting robbed blind buying "Cowboy" loads.

i have been handloading for 40+ years. it is the only way to go, i have a range at home. kind of like home on the range i load 12 gr. of 2400 behind a lyman 155 gr. hp. with a std. primer. that load if perfect in my 2 1/2 in. 19-4 it is like a very hot 38 sp. it is fun to shoot and i would and do trust my life with it.

"I suggest you sell your .357 Magnum revolver and buy a .38 Special since this is the power level what you want to shoot. This will solve all your problems and you'll have a vast selection of cheaper, lower-power ammo."

I tried that. Unfortunately, S&W has pretty much abandoned the .38 Spec stainless steel guns. I wanted a 3" M64, but they only come in 4". Even the steel "J" frame guns are Magnum. All of the used M64's that I saw on Gun Broker were also 4". So, I bought a 3" M686 plus. I load with the same powders that I use for .38 Special, like 231 and Universal, and get sub sonic loads at the listed starting data for 357 Mag. Glad that I reload!

rat

I wasn't aware of the fact that Smith no longer makes any stainless K-frame .38 Special models with barrels of less than 4" in length and that is pretty sad. However, they do still offer a number of stainless .38 Special J-frame models including the Model 36, 637, 638, and 642.

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Steve
NJ State Trooper (rtd)