.38 and .357 same bullets?

verti89 · May 20, 2009, 12:53 PM

my dad has a .38 and a .357. We are starting to get into reloading and I am trying to buy bullets. It would appear that the bullets are the same for these calibers, but I wanted to verify that. We don't plan on loading any heavy or magnum loads any time soon so with that in mind my thought is a single bullet could work for either. Also from what I understand the .357 can shoot .38 rounds, so does this mean the cases are the same too? If this is true if I was loading a light .357 load or a normal .38 load in the same case, is that possible?

I know I am a noob BTW

wncchester · May 20, 2009, 01:04 PM

"It would appear that the bullets are the same for these calibers,.."

You are correct.

JCS1 · May 20, 2009, 01:24 PM

.38 and .357 same bullets? Yes they are the same diameter. So yes you can use them in either the .38 or 357. The case length is the only difference between the two. 357 being the longer case.
Also from what I understand the .357 can shoot .38 rounds, so does this mean the cases are the same too? Yes, you can shoot a 38 in a 357 but not a 357 in a .38. Again the 357 being the longer case.
Hope that helps

verti89 · May 20, 2009, 01:28 PM

Ok so same bullets yes, same case no. Got it thanks!!

Dannyl · May 20, 2009, 01:49 PM

Hi,
As mentioned above, both use exactly the same diameter bullet.
The difference is in the case length.
Although a 38 special bullet can be fired from a 0.357 Mag firearm, I strongly recommend against it.

My reason for this is that this practice will expose a part of the chamber in the cylinder to the heat and flash of the burning propellant, and damage it.

Obviously this will not be noticeable as result of a few rounds, but prolonged use of the incorrect length bullets will damage your cylinder.

Regards,

Danny

FlyFish · May 20, 2009, 02:02 PM

Quote:

My reason for this is that this practice will expose a part of the chamber in the cylinder to the heat and flash of the burning propellant, and damage it.

Obviously this will not be noticeable as result of a few rounds, but prolonged use of the incorrect length bullets will damage your cylinder.

This is absolutely not true. As should be obvious, the portion of the chamber where a .38 Special case ends is made of exactly the same steel as the portion of the chamber .125 inches further along where the .357 case ends (and also the area of the cylinder and barrel ahead of that, which is experiencing pretty much the same "heat and flash."

What CAN happen if you shoot a lot of .38 Special in a .357 chamber is that you'll get a buildup of crud further back in the chamber that can make it difficult to insert .357 cartridges. Regular and thorough cleaning will prevent that, and there are numerous ways to remove it if it does happen.

Nate1778 · May 20, 2009, 02:03 PM

and for the record, .380 bullets can be fired through 9mm and vice versa if the 9mm bullet is light enough.......

crowbeaner · May 20, 2009, 05:55 PM

You can shoot 38s in a 357, but you DON"T shoot 357s in a 38!
Make life easy on yourself and your pop; 158 grain cast lead SWC, CCI 500 primers, use 5.0 grains of Unique in the 38s and 7.0 grains in the 357s.
For more pop in the 357s, use 14.5 grains of WW 296 and CCI 550s.

Russ5924 · May 20, 2009, 05:55 PM

My .357 have all had a steady diet of .38. Come to think I don't even remember the last time I shot a .357 in my revolvers. I clean my clys in my 357 using a .45 bore brush and have never had a problem getting them clean

2DaMtns · May 20, 2009, 06:44 PM

Also, you can load 38 loads in a 357 case, but shouldn't load 38 cases to 357 level, for two reasons. One, you might get confused and shoot the higher-charged loads in the 38, which might make it go kablooey. Also, loading the 357 loads in the 38 case increases pressure, which is bad.

Draciron · May 20, 2009, 07:37 PM

I have heard that .357 diameter bullets will fire out of either .38 or .357 but the .358 diameter will only work with the .357. Usually you only see the .358 in the heavier grain bullets 150+ grains. Not sure how correct this is but it is something to be aware of if true.

Sport45 · May 20, 2009, 08:34 PM

Jacketed bullets are typically .357 and cast or swaged bullets are often .358".

Draciron · May 20, 2009, 09:02 PM

Does it make a difference then? Can you load .358 diameter bullets in a .38?

That'll Do · May 20, 2009, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Draciron

Does it make a difference then? Can you load .358 diameter bullets in a .38?

Yes, you can load a .358 diameter bullet in a 38.

FlyFish · May 20, 2009, 09:25 PM

Sport45 has it right. .38 Special and .357 Mag use exactly the same diameter bullets - usually .357 for jacketed, .358 for lead.

harry carey · May 20, 2009, 09:44 PM

while I really don't want to reply , I guess I will. the 357 case also has more metal in the web due to higher pressures of the 357, which WERE, past tense, 46,900 cup and now is 35,000 cup. it is a stronger case and in 1935 had a large magnum primer in it. bullets used in a 38/357 may be between 356- 360 CAST. thats cast bullets. the old guns like fat bullets but the new ones don't. yes you need to know this. join a gun club and find out who has loaded for a long time and speak with them often. buy Ken Waters PETLOADS. by the way... I load wadcutters in a 9mm revolver and if anyone wants info let me know. NO its not worth the trouble but I had to try it.

harry carey · May 20, 2009, 09:46 PM

forgot this. read W.G. Mitchells article in Rifle Magazine on wadcutters 1988.

Stiofan · May 20, 2009, 10:27 PM

FlyFish is correct. Shooting a .38 special in a .357 gun will not damage it, just make sure it's cleaned well of any buildup.

My GP 100 is now over 20 years old and has shot thousands of rounds of both calibers. The cylinder is not damaged in the least.

May 20, 2009, 12:53 PM	#1
verti89 Senior Member Join Date: November 10, 2008 Posts: 157	.38 and .357 same bullets? my dad has a .38 and a .357. We are starting to get into reloading and I am trying to buy bullets. It would appear that the bullets are the same for these calibers, but I wanted to verify that. We don't plan on loading any heavy or magnum loads any time soon so with that in mind my thought is a single bullet could work for either. Also from what I understand the .357 can shoot .38 rounds, so does this mean the cases are the same too? If this is true if I was loading a light .357 load or a normal .38 load in the same case, is that possible? I know I am a noob BTW

May 20, 2009, 01:24 PM	#3
JCS1 Member Join Date: February 20, 2009 Location: Bloomington, In. Posts: 37	.38 and .357 same bullets? .38 and .357 same bullets? Yes they are the same diameter. So yes you can use them in either the .38 or 357. The case length is the only difference between the two. 357 being the longer case. Also from what I understand the .357 can shoot .38 rounds, so does this mean the cases are the same too? Yes, you can shoot a 38 in a 357 but not a 357 in a .38. Again the 357 being the longer case. Hope that helps __________________ John NRA Endowment Member Reloading 40+ years *I miss my wife but my aim is getting better.*

May 20, 2009, 01:49 PM	#5
Dannyl Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Cape Town - South Africa Posts: 627	38 special and 0.357 Magnum Hi, As mentioned above, both use exactly the same diameter bullet. The difference is in the case length. Although a 38 special bullet can be fired from a 0.357 Mag firearm, I strongly recommend against it. My reason for this is that this practice will expose a part of the chamber in the cylinder to the heat and flash of the burning propellant, and damage it. Obviously this will not be noticeable as result of a few rounds, but prolonged use of the incorrect length bullets will damage your cylinder. Regards, Danny

May 20, 2009, 02:03 PM	#7
Nate1778 Senior Member Join Date: January 21, 2009 Location: Louisville Ky Posts: 312	and for the record, .380 bullets can be fired through 9mm and vice versa if the 9mm bullet is light enough....... __________________ "And finally, the Baby Bear looked and he said, "Somebody's sleeping in my bed, and the bastard's still there!" But Goldylocks had a Remington semi-automatic, with a scope and a hair-trigger!"

May 20, 2009, 05:55 PM	#8
crowbeaner Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 1,943	You can shoot 38s in a 357, but you DON"T shoot 357s in a 38! Make life easy on yourself and your pop; 158 grain cast lead SWC, CCI 500 primers, use 5.0 grains of Unique in the 38s and 7.0 grains in the 357s. For more pop in the 357s, use 14.5 grains of WW 296 and CCI 550s. __________________ If you want your children to follow in your footsteps, be careful where you walk. Beware the man that only owns one gun; he probably knows how to use it. I just hope my ship comes in before my dock rots.

May 20, 2009, 01:04 PM	#2
wncchester Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2002 Posts: 2,832	"It would appear that the bullets are the same for these calibers,.." You are correct.

May 20, 2009, 01:28 PM	#4
verti89 Senior Member Join Date: November 10, 2008 Posts: 157	Ok so same bullets yes, same case no. Got it thanks!!

May 20, 2009, 05:55 PM	#9
Russ5924 Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2005 Posts: 1,874	My .357 have all had a steady diet of .38. Come to think I don't even remember the last time I shot a .357 in my revolvers. I clean my clys in my 357 using a .45 bore brush and have never had a problem getting them clean __________________ Russ5924

May 20, 2009, 06:44 PM	#10
2DaMtns Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 2008 Posts: 457	Also, you can load 38 loads in a 357 case, but shouldn't load 38 cases to 357 level, for two reasons. One, you might get confused and shoot the higher-charged loads in the 38, which might make it go kablooey. Also, loading the 357 loads in the 38 case increases pressure, which is bad.

May 20, 2009, 07:37 PM	#11
Draciron Member Join Date: May 19, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 35	I have heard that .357 diameter bullets will fire out of either .38 or .357 but the .358 diameter will only work with the .357. Usually you only see the .358 in the heavier grain bullets 150+ grains. Not sure how correct this is but it is something to be aware of if true.

May 20, 2009, 08:34 PM	#12
Sport45 Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 1999 Location: Too close to Houston Posts: 4,196	Jacketed bullets are typically .357 and cast or swaged bullets are often .358". __________________ Proud member of the NRA and Texas State Rifle Association. Registered and active voter.

May 20, 2009, 09:02 PM	#13
Draciron Member Join Date: May 19, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 35	Does it make a difference then? Can you load .358 diameter bullets in a .38?

May 20, 2009, 09:25 PM	#15
FlyFish Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2009 Location: Overlooking the Baker River Valley Posts: 1,723	Sport45 has it right. .38 Special and .357 Mag use exactly the same diameter bullets - usually .357 for jacketed, .358 for lead.

May 20, 2009, 09:44 PM	#16
harry carey Member Join Date: April 25, 2009 Location: georgia Posts: 67	while I really don't want to reply , I guess I will. the 357 case also has more metal in the web due to higher pressures of the 357, which WERE, past tense, 46,900 cup and now is 35,000 cup. it is a stronger case and in 1935 had a large magnum primer in it. bullets used in a 38/357 may be between 356- 360 CAST. thats cast bullets. the old guns like fat bullets but the new ones don't. yes you need to know this. join a gun club and find out who has loaded for a long time and speak with them often. buy Ken Waters PETLOADS. by the way... I load wadcutters in a 9mm revolver and if anyone wants info let me know. NO its not worth the trouble but I had to try it.

May 20, 2009, 09:46 PM	#17
harry carey Member Join Date: April 25, 2009 Location: georgia Posts: 67	forgot this. read W.G. Mitchells article in Rifle Magazine on wadcutters 1988.

May 20, 2009, 10:27 PM	#18
Stiofan Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2006 Location: Panhandle, Idaho Posts: 714	FlyFish is correct. Shooting a .38 special in a .357 gun will not damage it, just make sure it's cleaned well of any buildup. My GP 100 is now over 20 years old and has shot thousands of rounds of both calibers. The cylinder is not damaged in the least.