Should I be loading 38 Spl?

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Mikeinkaty

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I only load for 2 firearms. S&W 686+P and Henry 357 mag lever gun. I used to load 38 Spl but got tired of having to change my die setups. Plus I didn’t seem to get good accuracy with 38 Spl.

I have plenty of 357 mag cases. I cannot think of any reason to load 38 Spl. I use Trail Boss, Tightgroup, and 4227 powders which gives me wide variation in velocities.

I load 110, 158, and 180 grain RNFP WW lead bullets.
 
I never saw any use to it. I have 6 revolvers, all .357 Magnums. If I want to load lighter it's easy enough and there's never any possibility of accidentally mixing them up and having to go through hundreds to sort them out. And, I never have to do any readjustment to my dies. I don't plan on ever buying a .38 Special revolver so it just never seemed worth it.
 
THAT DEPENDS ON YOU.

38 specials have been the #1 reloaded bullet for a LONG TIME, & am guessing they still are. Probly a reason for that. ;) The extra 357 horsepower/recoil is not needed by me for paper/bowling pin or steel challenge. Less powder saves me $ & less recoil lets ME shoot faster, with a longer brass life & less (almost zero) case trimming. If shooting hogs, I'd load 357's. Invest the +/- 40$ for a second set of carbide dies & there would be no changing them, unless changing bullets. My 2 cents.
 
I have some 38's, so I do reload for them. Also have a few in 357 Mag. I normally just use 357 cases as I do not like having to clean out the burn ring, it's a PIA. I just down load the 357 when I want a target or lighter load.
 
I reload everything....

I can make 'em cheaper than I can buy 'em and have the bullet and load that I want. If you set up your die for .38 all you have to do is put a spacer ring under the die bolt to raise the cartridge to make .357.

I have .38 and .357 and load for both. I make .38 specials from target to plus P and my .357 shells for .38 target loads to full max magnum loads. Cartridges like .357 and rifle cartridge you can save a ton on if you shoot a lot.

I found that the 7.62 x 39 mm steel cased ammo actually sells for less than I can make it.
 
Sure but that means you need at minimum a K-38, Chiefs Special, Model 15 and any others you find.
 
Nope. Assuming the accuracy is acceptable, trail boss in a 357 is no different from a 38 target load.
 
I'm curious about the changing of die adjustments. There are shims available to allow the case belling and bullet seating/crimp dies to be used without having to futz with adjustments-assuming you're using the same/similar bullets in each. In fact, RCBS includes the shims when your buy 38/357 & .44 Spl/Magnum dies.

Use is easy: set up your dies for the shorter cartridge. If you want to load long, just stick the shim under the belling & seating dies as you screw them in the press.
 
I LIKE BOTH, & SEE A 38 SPECIAL ONLY IN YOUR FUTURE.

Since I enjoy shooting 38 specials, I bought a mdl 10-6 so I wouldn't have to shoot 38's through my 681 357. (but I do anyway if I feel like it) Another vision, a 38 snub is appearing. :rolleyes:
 
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According to my log I have loaded 14,219 38's since 1992. This is in addition to about 20 other calibers & gauges that I load. The 357 comes in second at 11,582. The 38's only get shot in 38's. I started reloading in 1972 but kept a log from 92 onward.
For kicks and giggles I totaled up my log for 1992 to today......112,481 rds/gauges loaded......That's a lot of pulls on the press handle!....Wish i had kept a log from when I started in 1972.
 
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WR Moore said:
I'm curious about the changing of die adjustments. There are shims available to allow the case belling and bullet seating/crimp dies to be used without having to futz with adjustments-assuming you're using the same/similar bullets in each. In fact, RCBS includes the shims when your buy 38/357 & .44 Spl/Magnum dies.

Use is easy: set up your dies for the shorter cartridge. If you want to load long, just stick the shim under the belling & seating dies as you screw them in the press.
Click to expand...

That works unless you are using a progressive press. In that case you have to re-adjust the dies........No big deal.
 
I reload 38 special and they are used in 357's as I don't have a 38spl revolver . I like working up loads . I have a load using 173 gr " Keith " swc in a 38 special case that is just awesome . It's something you would never be able to buy . So yes , I reload 38 special as it's a fun cartridge to work with . Regards, Paul
 
Revolver and a lever gun? No, I can't see much of a point. The only situation I could see is if you wanted to shoot an action revolver sport--you might get more positive ejection with the shorter .38 Spl cases, depending on your gun and such.
 
When I only had revolvers that were .357 that’s all I reloaded for even though I shot 38 special through them and kept the cases.
Once I started buying 38 special revolvers it only took one reload session adjusting the dies to buy another set of dies for 38 special.
 
I have no idea why you wouldn't get good accuracy with properly loaded 38 Specials?

It's an easy choice for me, there is tons of loads for 38 Special to use which is a lot easier IMO than figuring or risking downloaded 357. Plenty of excellent powders recommended for 38 Special, lots of great inexpensive bullets too.
I have a set of dies for 38 all set up and a set for 357, just another small one time investment.
Karl
 
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