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mehavey · June 2, 2013, 08:11 AM

I agree w/ investing in the 357 cases -- if for no other reasons than it takes the guesswork out, and removes even the faintest possibility of using high-pressure loads in a low-pressure gun.

-- BUT --

Case strength (38Special vs 357) is not the issue in a revolver. Both cartridges are fully supported all the way back/past the web to the rim itself. Pressure capacity is therefore determined by the steel cylinder wall, not the brass case wall.

(Might get interesting in a lever-action rifle, though, where some small portion of the web might be unsupported and/or the chamber/head area given some slight extra clearance to ensure reliable feeding. Below is a pic of my heavy-load 45 Colt cases used in a Marlin.

My 357s exhibit the same in a `92Win. I just two-stage size them both and go on....)

June 2, 2013, 08:11 AM	#18
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 6,886	I agree w/ investing in the 357 cases -- if for no other reasons than it takes the guesswork out, and removes even the faintest possibility of using high-pressure loads in a low-pressure gun. -- BUT -- Case strength (38Special vs 357) is not the issue in a revolver. Both cartridges are fully supported all the way back/past the web to the rim itself. Pressure capacity is therefore determined by the steel cylinder wall, not the brass case wall. (Might get interesting in a lever-action rifle, though, where some small portion of the web might be unsupported and/or the chamber/head area given some slight extra clearance to ensure reliable feeding. Below is a pic of my heavy-load 45 Colt cases used in a Marlin. My 357s exhibit the same in a `92Win. I just two-stage size them both and go on....) Last edited by mehavey; June 2, 2013 at 08:19 AM.