Reloading 38 special with 38 cal .357 140 GR and 38 cal .357 125 Gr Bullets

Texas Mac · February 12, 2010, 08:26 PM

My son just got me a deal on some used reloading equipment. I know nothing about loading handgun ammo. In the trade I ended up with several hundred rounds of 38 cal .357 140 wad cutter bullets and 38 cal .357 125 gr hollow point bullets.

Can these be reloaded for use in a Colt Cobra snub nosed 38 special pistol?

Thanks

Mac

oneounceload · February 12, 2010, 08:41 PM

By following published loading data from a reputable source, there should be no reason as to why they couldn't be. Typically, wadcutters are 148 gr, not 140. Whose brand are they?

Texas Mac · February 12, 2010, 08:47 PM

There is no brand on the 38 / 357 (bagged) probably bought at gun show or dealer.

The 38/.357 125 gr are Hornady.

Thanks,

Mac

hornady · February 12, 2010, 09:04 PM

This has been said on here and other forms many times. Get your self a good reloading manual. For the money Lyman 49th is probably your best bet to start. Reloading can save you some money if you do a lot of shooting and you will have some fun along the way. But if not done right. It can mess your day up fast. Good luck with it and be safe.

orionengnr · February 12, 2010, 09:16 PM

There is also a lot of reloading info available at the powder manufacturers' web sites.
Hornaday, Alliant, Winchester (and probably others) all have websites with recommended load data.

I own several new, hard copy manuals, but also consult the manufacturer's web sites to cross-check.

As far as question you didn't ask goes, the .38 and the .357 cartridge both use a .357 bullet, so the bullet is usable in either cartridge. The .38 Spl was originally a black powder cartridge that operated at ~17000 psi. Many old revolvers built to this level are still around.

The .357 is a high pressure smokeless powder cartridge that operates at approximately twice the presure level of the .38. It should go without saying that firing a .357 cartridge in a .38 Spl firearm would be catastrophic. To prevent this, the .357 case was intentionally produced .100" longer. It is theoretically physically impossible to place a .357 cartridge in a .38 Spl revolver (although I'm sure someone has figured out a way to do exactly that).

Discussion and knowledge like this comes from reading a reloading manual, which is exactly why several people have recommended that you buy one...or more. Good advice.

Texas Mac · February 12, 2010, 10:31 PM

Thanks for the replies and good advice. I have ordered a reloading manual and will proceed with due caution.

Again,

Thanks and God Bless.

Mac

February 12, 2010, 08:26 PM	#1
Texas Mac Junior Member Join Date: February 12, 2010 Location: Conroe Texas Posts: 3	Reloading 38 special with 38 cal .357 140 GR and 38 cal .357 125 Gr Bullets My son just got me a deal on some used reloading equipment. I know nothing about loading handgun ammo. In the trade I ended up with several hundred rounds of 38 cal .357 140 wad cutter bullets and 38 cal .357 125 gr hollow point bullets. Can these be reloaded for use in a Colt Cobra snub nosed 38 special pistol? Thanks Mac

February 12, 2010, 08:47 PM	#3
Texas Mac Junior Member Join Date: February 12, 2010 Location: Conroe Texas Posts: 3	38 special reload bullets There is no brand on the 38 / 357 (bagged) probably bought at gun show or dealer. The 38/.357 125 gr are Hornady. Thanks, Mac

February 12, 2010, 10:31 PM	#6
Texas Mac Junior Member Join Date: February 12, 2010 Location: Conroe Texas Posts: 3	38 special reloading Thanks for the replies and good advice. I have ordered a reloading manual and will proceed with due caution. Again, Thanks and God Bless. Mac

February 12, 2010, 08:41 PM	#2
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	By following published loading data from a reputable source, there should be no reason as to why they couldn't be. Typically, wadcutters are 148 gr, not 140. Whose brand are they?

February 12, 2010, 09:04 PM	#4
hornady Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2009 Location: SWPA Posts: 428	This has been said on here and other forms many times. Get your self a good reloading manual. For the money Lyman 49th is probably your best bet to start. Reloading can save you some money if you do a lot of shooting and you will have some fun along the way. But if not done right. It can mess your day up fast. Good luck with it and be safe.

February 12, 2010, 09:16 PM	#5
orionengnr Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2004 Posts: 5,173	There is also a lot of reloading info available at the powder manufacturers' web sites. Hornaday, Alliant, Winchester (and probably others) all have websites with recommended load data. I own several new, hard copy manuals, but also consult the manufacturer's web sites to cross-check. As far as question you didn't ask goes, the .38 and the .357 cartridge both use a .357 bullet, so the bullet is usable in either cartridge. The .38 Spl was originally a black powder cartridge that operated at ~17000 psi. Many old revolvers built to this level are still around. The .357 is a high pressure smokeless powder cartridge that operates at approximately twice the presure level of the .38. It should go without saying that firing a .357 cartridge in a .38 Spl firearm would be catastrophic. To prevent this, the .357 case was intentionally produced .100" longer. It is theoretically physically impossible to place a .357 cartridge in a .38 Spl revolver (although I'm sure someone has figured out a way to do exactly that). Discussion and knowledge like this comes from reading a reloading manual, which is exactly why several people have recommended that you buy one...or more. Good advice.