.357 cases cut down to .38 short

[unbatoloco]

I have a lot of .357 cases that have small splits at the top . I was thinking ,I would trim these cases down to .38 short length (I have way too much time on my hands ). I will then load them with the same data as .38 super (same overall length , powder ,etc ). Cases would ,after loading ,be re-sized again to eliminate any bulging caused by the projectile (caused by thicker bases in the .357 ) These modified cases would then be loaded into moon clips to shoot out of my S&W , 8 shot , .357 , Model 627. I figure these will be a lot quicker to load during ICORE competition . Anyone else done this and can anyone see any problems with me doing this ?
Thanks .

 

[Missionary]

Greetings
I have done similar with 38 S&W. The problem you may run into is the cylinder diameter. Check those throats carefully. They may be fatter than you think. So then you chop down the 357´s and discover the lower youget the walls are thicker and will size down your bullets to a too small diameter to fill the throats.
So you can inside ream the cases or just hunt up some used brass. These low pressure cartriges generally never wear out brass. But be very careful to manitain that cylinder throat diameter and you will have a good shooter.

 

[unbatoloco]

No worries - Just made a set of 8 samples . Used 9mm dies to size , seat and crimp , using .356 projectiles . Then used Lee factory carbide die to re-size slightly bulged cases back to .357 . Looks pretty good but am having some sort of problem fitting moon clips into cylinder ( tight fit ) ? Any suggestions

 

[CookE]

I think you are asking for trouble. Save the aggravation and just buy new brass.........CookE

 

[WaMike]

and I thought I was cheap.....

 

[Andy Griffith]

Looks pretty good but am having some sort of problem fitting moon clips into cylinder ( tight fit ) ? Any suggestions

Please know I mean no disrespect but the obvious questions first - is your cylinder cut for moonclips? If not, it will have to be machined for them. If it is, and you are still having problems- try different brass, as not all brass has the same "cut" just above the rim and some brands give problems. Also, there are different thicknesses of moonclips which work better with some brands of brass than others.

Moonclips.com has a lot of information, and even lists a gunsmith that performs this service down there (or up there) depending upon the point of view.

I've always used Starline .38 Short Colt with round nosed bullets and they just fly right into the chambers on my K-frame 6-shot guns, but the 8-shot 627 is a bit more finicky.

I've heard of fellers that have cut down brass, but they always started with .38 Special non +P brass, as I heard (no personal knowledge because I haven't tried it) that .38 +P and .357 brass were constructed too thick that far down and is more trouble than it's worth.