Can I shorten 357 magnum cases to the length of 38 specail brass and use CCI 500 small pistol primers. I just bought a J frame 38 specail and I have several hundred once fire 357 mag brass that I have no use for.

Should work. Just use 38 load data. I've done it with 44s since I have tons of mag brass.

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No gold. Only lead. Bobby

It might be easier just to find someone who would trade brass for brass. Of course, if you have lots of time...

OP would have no issues finding takers on that, I'm guessing.....

For a long time .357 brass was scarce as hen's teeth and people (like me) would pay money for it. It seems a shame to turn such a valuable commodity into .38 spec cases.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Yes, you can do that but the question is why? 357 brass is a premium compared to 38 special that can be found about anywhere. Why mess with it when for a few cents you can have the right thing. I use small pistol primers in my 357 and 38's.

Yes, you could, but why would be another question, A whole lot of work and time for no reason.

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Still Running Against the Wind

Others have covered this quite thoroughly, but I will emphasize what has been said.

Why is the best question. Place a WTB or WTT ad on the appropriate sub-forum and you will probably find a taker within minutes! You can probably get 2 for 1 (2 .38s for 1 .357) to boot.

So far as "Can you" yes. Within the same manufactirer there are only two differences between .38 Spl. and .357 Magnum cases, length and headspace! Otherwise they are identical. If you have never trimmed a few hundred cases by a significant amount you will quickly see the wisdom in buying/trading for .38 brass!

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Gunsmithing since 1961

I would be happy to trade you on this! PM me if that appeals to you...

Randy

Bingo!

And even simpler solution is to go to a gun show and purchase some 38 special once fired brass or order new brass from Starline. There was a time when I hardly ever shot 357 Magnum but that changed once I started reloading for 357 Magnum. I now own more 357 Magnum revolvers than 38 special and have also added tow 357 Magnum rifles to my collection.

Like they said, waste of time.

Have a blessed day.

Just a thought, you could probably get more 38 cases in a trade for the 357. 357 brass is often almost twice the price of 38.

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Trucks and guns.

From a safety standpoint I would hate to see brass get cut down.

Another loader might load this 357 head stamped brass to 357 Spec and end up over pressure due to the reduced capacity of the case.

Or a 357 loaded short case might get fired in a 38 Special revolver

If you send me $6 for postage on a small Priority Flat Rate Box, I will fill it with once fired 38s for you. I guess it will hold ~300 cases +/-

Thanks everyone. I didn't know the 357 mag brass is at a premium.
I don't have as many brass as I thought. I got them from my Brother -in -law , he doesn't reload so they are once fired brass. I have 287 cases, most of them are PMC and G.F.L. , with some Winchester. IT will be great if some one wants to do a 2 for 1 trade 2 38 spec for 1 357 mag .

Colt saa , that is very nice of you , but I don't expect free brass , but that will be great if you want to do that.

That's a great point about the safety issue , someone might get some of the brass cut to 38 spec but stamped 357 mag and load a 357 mag load .

That's a pretty good point, there. Usually people ask about loading .38SP brass to .357 spec. I've been called an idiot & worse for suggesting it shouldn't be done.

I'm in the "trade it" camp. As been mentioned, OP can most likely get 2-1 for his .357.

OP what headstamp is your brass? That matters to some of us.

I'd just add that 357 brass may be thicker, so a cut down case may have less internal volume than a 38 would.

Most of the brass is PMC and G.F.L. and some Winchester all are once fired brass from my Brother -in-Law

I got a few very generous offers for free 38 spec brass if I paid the shipping for a small flat rate priority mail box , so I did take one person's offer for that. Then I got a great offer for 1,000
38 spec brass in trade for my 287 357 mag brass . I want to thank everyone for their input and very generous offers. It's nice to know there are so many great people on this forum.

PM me if your trade goes south.

I'll do a two for one.

Mines already clean, sized and deprimed.

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That's just somebody talkin.

I'd have taken you up on the 2 for 1 if others hadn't beat me to it. Much better idea than cutting down good 357 brass.

Thanks for the offer, I will let you know if my trade doesn't work out.

Thanks for your offer, but the deal did go through . Have a great day.

Fortunately, I have access to a virtually infinite supply of fired .38 Special range brass, but not so fortunately, .357 brass is usually not left on the ground as often as .40,.45, 9mm, and .38 Special brass is.