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bluetopper · May 18, 2013, 11:34 PM

The difference is the 357 is loaded to twice the pressure as 38 Spl. as per their specifications.
The 38 Special came to be at the very tail end of the black powder cartridge era in about 1899 and was about the last black powder cartridge ever developed. That's why the case is so big. It was originally filled with black powder. There is a very small amount of the much more powerful smokeless powder in the large case as is today to keep it under the pressure spec.
The 38 Spl. is a wonderful cartridge for the reloader. So very easy to assemble, very versatile, accurate, and safe.

May 18, 2013, 11:34 PM	#10
bluetopper Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2005 Location: Northeast TX Posts: 1,197	The difference is the 357 is loaded to twice the pressure as 38 Spl. as per their specifications. The 38 Special came to be at the very tail end of the black powder cartridge era in about 1899 and was about the last black powder cartridge ever developed. That's why the case is so big. It was originally filled with black powder. There is a very small amount of the much more powerful smokeless powder in the large case as is today to keep it under the pressure spec. The 38 Spl. is a wonderful cartridge for the reloader. So very easy to assemble, very versatile, accurate, and safe. Last edited by bluetopper; May 18, 2013 at 11:45 PM.