.38 Special velocities in 357 magnum cases?

Kiwi cop

Kiwi cop

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I have always fired .38 special loads/cases in my 686-4 on the range, but I am now considering trying some similar level loads in 357 magnum cases to see what effect, if any, will result in accuracy.

Has anyone ever tried this? If so what were the results?

The load will be a 158 gn JSWC using, preferably, either W231 or Tightgroup powder (as this is what I have on hand) at around 700-750 fps and on targets out to 50 yards.
 
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PLEASE/ACCURATE LOADS

Kiwi: I switched from 38 to 357 cases years ago, so I wouldn't leave short carbon rings in the chambers. I load mine way down. Just paper/steel punchers. Shoot as accurately as I can hold the gun (i.e. 65-5, 66-4, 66-1, 640-1, 686-0, Ruger BH (3-screw). I cast a 158gr. SWC & use fast powders. Don't want to beat up my hand/wrist anymore.
Hank M.
 
Anywhere between max .38 load and .357 starting load. Same powder of course.
 
Simplest thing in the world. Just use the same load as you are using for .38, and add 10% if you want to keep the same approx MV. 3gr of HP38 in .38pl becomes 3.3gr in .357, or skip the increase if the MV does not matter.
I prefer HP38 with lead target loads, and for PPC load for comfort with no significant loss in accuracy.
 
As noted above, it's easy peezy and I've done it for years. On the other hand, I've never found it to increase accuracy to any degree, at least what can be observed when firing at PPC matches.

The recommendation of 10% over your 38 Special load is well given.
 
Don't assume that the .357 case has a greater volume capacity than the .38 case. It is slightly longer but the .357 has a thicker head and thicker walls. I've measured some and the .357's actually had less capacity.
 
Have been doing this for years. It's the "standard" for practice ammo for my wife. She enjoys the .38 loads in her .357, but always finishes up with a cylinder full of factory equivalent loads. That eliminates the .38 carbon ring in the chambers, maintains her proficiency, and still provides an enjoyable range trip.

WYT-P
Skyhunter
 
I have always used 357 Magnum brass for my 357 reloads, even with 148 grain LWC loads. Although you can use 38 Special loading data, you will probably have to increase the powder charge a few tenths of a grain to get the desired velocity.
 
I stopped shooting 38sp in my magnums decades ago. It just isnt worth the cleaning the cyl & maintaining diff brass. I just load 38sp,loads in magnum brass. For most of us, the ammo will always be more accurate than we can shoot.
 
oysterer said:
Carbon rings in a 357 revolver shooting 38 special loads are a less likely problem than spontaneous human combustion....
Click to expand...

I will disagree. If you shoot a lot of 38 in magnum chambers the carbon ring is a real thing. It can certainly be cleaned up by why bother?? If you reload, no point in using spec in any magnum imo.
 
Kiwi cop said:
Has anyone ever tried this? If so what were the results?
Click to expand...

Thousands of rounds over the past 50 years. I prefer using .357/.44M brass as it doesn't leave a ring of build up in the cylinder. Accuracy between the two sizes is about zero difference.

Take the max listed .38 load, and work up from there to get the velocity you want. Usually that will be about 5%-10% or so. Brass WILL last forever ;)
 
I do the very same thing. No problems at all. The only thing I reload .38 cases for is a .38 only revolver such as my 638 and 642. I bought a separate set of .38/357 dies so that I don't have to make any changes to the seating and crimping dies when loading either one. It was worth the money to me.
 
Maybe not carbon rings, but lead shaving. I load my .357 brass with .38 special loads all the time.

Bob

P.S. - I spent 5 months in the hospital in 1969 having burst into flames! Still have some of the scars to prove it after 20 reconstructive surgeries.
 
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Yes, I do it a lot.....

Kiwi cop said:
I have always fired .38 special loads/cases in my 686-4 on the range, but I am now considering trying some similar level loads in 357 magnum cases to see what effect, if any, will result in accuracy.

Has anyone ever tried this? If so what were the results?

The load will be a 158 gn JSWC using, preferably, either W231 or Tightgroup powder (as this is what I have on hand) at around 700-750 fps and on targets out to 50 yards.
Click to expand...

The tiny amount of extra volume in the .357 case is negligible. You can add a couple tenths of a grain to the load if you think it needs it. I've had nothing but good results and I don't have to clean the crud ring to move from .38s to .357s in the same session. No big deal, but i would rather shoot at the range than clean guns.
 
I load mostly 38 brass because its easier to see the powder charge and not double it. (my opinion)
Either way brass last forever.
I will add I mostly load HBWC in 38 but just bought SWC to load in 357 cases. Have not worked on a load yet but plan on trying Bullseye powder.
 
For the last four decades, ammunition intended to be shot in my 357 Magnum revolvers has always been loaded into 357 cases no matter how light the load

I keep two tool heads setup, one for 357 and one for 38. For the cost of dies, I do not want to be adjusting them when ever I switch between loading these to calibers
 
oysterer said:
Carbon rings in a 357 revolver shooting 38 special loads are a less likely problem than spontaneous human combustion....
Click to expand...

Many years ago, I bought my first .357 Mag, a S&W Model 28. At the time I knew a guy that had a business reloading and selling practice ammo to several local police departments. I could buy either .38 Special 148gr. wadcutters or 158gr. SWCs for less than I could reload them, if I traded in my brass.

I do not know how many 1,000s of rounds of .38 Specials I shot in that gun.
I never shot any .357s until one day I got a deal on some Factory .357s as part of a trade.

They were a little stiff to load, but I had a heck of a time ejecting them. After a couple of cylinders I stopped shooting them. I took the gun and ammo to a gunsmith. The first thing he did was ask me if I had been shooting a lot of .38s. He told me about the fouling build up from shooting .38s. I took the gun home and spent a good amount of time wire brushing the cylinder. Since the I only use .38 cases in .38 revolvers and .357 cases in .357 revolvers.
 
Never had a problem cleaning out the rings in my cylinders after firing 38 Specials...rather easy proposition when you're in the habit of cleaning after every shooting session. 6.0 grs Unique and 158 gr swc in 357 Magnum cases would be my recommendation to anyone want to throttle down their magnum to a 38 Spl +P+.
 
I guess I'm odd. (Don't ask my wife, she will just shake her head up and down.). As I have 38 spl revolvers, I have 38 spl loads. If I want to shoot 38 spl in my .357, that's what I do.
If I want a little more umph, I'll shoot .357 loads. Never had a problem with carbon rings in the cylinders. They clean up.
Guess I could download 357. I just don't.
 
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I've easily got 15-20X the 38 brass as opposed to the 357, so I mostly load and shoot 38s. I've also got zero .44 special brass, so all my .44 loads are in magnum brass. Works for me.

Some chore boy wrapped around a bronze brush cleans out any carbon/lead rings so no problems.
 
oysterer said:
Carbon rings in a 357 revolver shooting 38 special loads are a less likely problem than spontaneous human combustion....
Click to expand...

Don't know about carbon rings, but boy can you get a lead ring there! Once I finally got all that goop out, I never again fired .38s in that gun. Possibly not if you're using hard cast bullets as I never saw an issue with .44 Spl loads in a magnum.

My records show a charge of 5.4 gr Unique behind a Remington 158 gr LRN loaded to 1.62" OAL gives 850 f/s in .357 cases.

If JSWC means jacketed, i'd be reluctant to try to go 700 f/s with a jacketed bullet.
 
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Just a note on the jacket bullets;

Don't use the starting loads.

Use a loading that should get that bullet in the 900 fps range for your first test.
Then if no "Squibs" you can adjust your loads.

Stay safe.
 
A quick answer to the carbon ring if that is a problem for you.

I have a short piece of cleaning rod that I keep for use in a variable speed drill. I chuck it up with the proper size bronze brush (38 or 44) and with a bit of solvent and a few seconds of slow speed spinning; it removes any trace of a carbon ring. No real effort involved it and leaves the charge hole ready for a cloth patch for final cleaning.

I have never personally found the carbon ring to be an issue. Back when we used 38 Special ammo for training on the PD and then used magnum ammo for duty, I kept a close eye on the issue as one of the department FTOs. After training and qualifying with lead SWC 38s, we then ran through the officers' old 18 rounds of 357 Magnum ammo before issuing new ammo for the next quarter and I don't remember a single problem from that practice.

Still, I like to keep my revolvers as clean as possible so I use the above method when cleaning my revolvers' charge holes.
 
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Agree completely!

WR Moore said:
My records show a charge of 5.4 gr Unique behind a Remington 158 gr LRN loaded to 1.62" OAL gives 850 f/s in .357 cases.
Click to expand...

My ancient go-to IPSC load was 5.5 gr.Unique/150-158 gr. SWC, 357 brass, standard primer. Chrono'ed 860 fps. Plenty good for what ails you, pleasant to shoot! Still what I load most.
 
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