38 Special Load in 357Mag case

BOWENA · September 6, 2009, 12:18 PM

You can fire a 38 special in a gun chambered for 357 Magnum. I recently read an article that claiming that the accuracy of the shorter round would be adversely affected due to the increased "hop." If that is true then could you use the 38 special loads in a 357 magnum Case?

WCW · September 6, 2009, 12:27 PM

Absolutely. Generally though I load target loads in .38 special cases to use in my .357. I haven’t noticed any meaningful difference in accuracy with wadcutters, and it just makes for an easy way to identify loads that are boxed and stacked. Everything I load in the .38 cases is a target load.

islander · September 6, 2009, 12:55 PM

While the bullets are the same for both rounds, loads are specific to the case used, and using a 38 spl load powder charge in a 357 case might result in a squib, since the additional volume of the 357 case would lower the pressure developed (more volume to expand lowers the pressure). If you want light loads for the 357 use the load data as listed under the 357 mag, your gun cleaning will be easier too (the 38 spl leaves a carbon ring in the cylinders).

I can't tell any accuracy difference of 38's in my 357, but I just shoot for fun.

BOWENA · September 6, 2009, 06:00 PM

OK= Thanks

zxcvbob · September 6, 2009, 06:03 PM

It works just fine, but because of the extra case volume, start at the .38 Special max load and work your way down (instead of the usual method of starting at minimum and going up.)

steveno · September 6, 2009, 06:11 PM

I use 4.5 grains of Unique in 38 special in a S & W M-15 & M-14 and 357 mag cases in a S & W M-28 with a 158 grain swc. I think 4.5 grains of Unique shoots better in the mag case in my S & W M-28 than when using it in a special case. I don't know why but that is just the way it is sometimes.

rc · September 6, 2009, 10:31 PM

light charges in big cases tend to lead to inconsistent ignition. That's why a .38 special with charge X will give lower standard deviations than the same bullet and charge X in a .357 case. Bullet jump is a factor but it's not the only factor to consider. I think it's more important to keep your rounds consistent with low standard deviations than to minimize bullet jump. rc

margiesex · September 7, 2009, 12:58 PM

I have found over the years that a hotter load has been more accurate for me in my .357's. Currently, I'm shooting a Ruger Speed Six with a 4 inch bar.

I use 15 grains of 2400 with a CCI Mag. primer pushing a 158 grain JSP.

When I filp over to .38 - I push the same bullet (158 - JSP), but with 4.1 grains of Bullseye and a CCI Sm. Pistol reg. primer.

Both are on the "hot" end, but both shoot to almost the same point of aim at the 7 yard marker.

My step daughter recently bought a Taurus .357 (all black, bobbed hammer - sharp looking little gun!) - I couldn't get her to shoot the .357 loads - but I was amazed at the accuracy of this little gun with both of these loads - really fine (to me) printed a decent 3 1/2 - 4 inch group at 7 yards. I didn't think that was bad at all considering the 2 inch bar.!

God bless and good shooting!

Margiesex

And remember: Hug your God and your guns - 'cause he's coming for them both, and soon!

September 6, 2009, 12:18 PM	#1
BOWENA Junior Member Join Date: September 11, 2008 Posts: 12	38 Special Load in 357Mag case You can fire a 38 special in a gun chambered for 357 Magnum. I recently read an article that claiming that the accuracy of the shorter round would be adversely affected due to the increased "hop." If that is true then could you use the 38 special loads in a 357 magnum Case?

September 6, 2009, 06:03 PM	#5
zxcvbob Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Location: S.E. Minnesota Posts: 4,720	It works just fine, but because of the extra case volume, start at the .38 Special max load and work your way down (instead of the usual method of starting at minimum and going up.) __________________ "Everything they do is so dramatic and flamboyant. It just makes me want to set myself on fire!" —Lucille Bluth

September 7, 2009, 12:58 PM	#8
margiesex Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2009 Location: Levittown, PA Posts: 210	For what it's worth... I have found over the years that a hotter load has been more accurate for me in my .357's. Currently, I'm shooting a Ruger Speed Six with a 4 inch bar. I use 15 grains of 2400 with a CCI Mag. primer pushing a 158 grain JSP. When I filp over to .38 - I push the same bullet (158 - JSP), but with 4.1 grains of Bullseye and a CCI Sm. Pistol reg. primer. Both are on the "hot" end, but both shoot to almost the same point of aim at the 7 yard marker. My step daughter recently bought a Taurus .357 (all black, bobbed hammer - sharp looking little gun!) - I couldn't get her to shoot the .357 loads - but I was amazed at the accuracy of this little gun with both of these loads - really fine (to me) printed a decent 3 1/2 - 4 inch group at 7 yards. I didn't think that was bad at all considering the 2 inch bar.! God bless and good shooting! Margiesex And remember: Hug your God and your guns - 'cause he's coming for them both, and soon!

September 6, 2009, 12:27 PM	#2
WCW Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2007 Posts: 132	Absolutely. Generally though I load target loads in .38 special cases to use in my .357. I haven’t noticed any meaningful difference in accuracy with wadcutters, and it just makes for an easy way to identify loads that are boxed and stacked. Everything I load in the .38 cases is a target load.

September 6, 2009, 12:55 PM	#3
islander Member Join Date: July 30, 2009 Posts: 42	While the bullets are the same for both rounds, loads are specific to the case used, and using a 38 spl load powder charge in a 357 case might result in a squib, since the additional volume of the 357 case would lower the pressure developed (more volume to expand lowers the pressure). If you want light loads for the 357 use the load data as listed under the 357 mag, your gun cleaning will be easier too (the 38 spl leaves a carbon ring in the cylinders). I can't tell any accuracy difference of 38's in my 357, but I just shoot for fun.

September 6, 2009, 06:00 PM	#4
BOWENA Junior Member Join Date: September 11, 2008 Posts: 12	OK= Thanks

September 6, 2009, 06:11 PM	#6
steveno Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2004 Location: Minden , Nebraska Posts: 1,407	I use 4.5 grains of Unique in 38 special in a S & W M-15 & M-14 and 357 mag cases in a S & W M-28 with a 158 grain swc. I think 4.5 grains of Unique shoots better in the mag case in my S & W M-28 than when using it in a special case. I don't know why but that is just the way it is sometimes.

September 6, 2009, 10:31 PM	#7
rc Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2001 Location: CA Posts: 1,929	light charges in big cases tend to lead to inconsistent ignition. That's why a .38 special with charge X will give lower standard deviations than the same bullet and charge X in a .357 case. Bullet jump is a factor but it's not the only factor to consider. I think it's more important to keep your rounds consistent with low standard deviations than to minimize bullet jump. rc