Overloading 38sp?

[straight stick]

Why take the chance? If you want to load +P 38 loads, fine, do that. If you want 357 loads, just use 357 brass. I personally do not think it is worth the risk for such a small benefit. Blowing up guns and someone getting hurt is no fun. Just my 2 cents. Stay Safe!

 

[MikeyB]

Anyone remember the .38 Special +P+ Treasury Department loads from the 1970's?

 

[Kilibreaux]

Is there anything wrong with loading 38sp to 357 levels if I am using a 357 to shoot it in. It looks like there is enough room in the casing.

The .357 case is 1/10" longer. IF you seat your bullets in a .38 spl case at the same depth you would in a .357 magnum case then you have the same thing ballistically. You would NOT be the first to do so...

Modern brass is strong...if you section cut a .38 special case next to a .357 magnum case you'll find that other than the OAL difference, the web and bases are damn close to identical....

The ONLY reason the .357 case was extended was to prevent chambering "hot" .38's in a revolver not built to take the pressure, and this does form the basis of a good loading practice....even if you can use .38 spl cases to load magnum rounds, don't....use genuine .357 mag cases for magnum rounds so you can visually SEE you're putting a hot load in your gun!