.38 loads in .357 cases?

wolf 1415 · April 10, 2001, 10:22 AM

Can .38 and .38 +p load recipes be used in .357 cases verbatim?

The case is not much longer, and I would suspect that seating the bullet a little (.10) deeper would create the exact same case dimension, if the exact same case dimension is required.

This all makes sense to me but TFL'ers have saved me more than once. This seems like an FAQ, but I couldn't find it in a search. Thanks in advance.

Poodleshooter · April 10, 2001, 11:50 AM

Yes, most .38 loads have a pressure equivalent in .357 data, usually about .1-.2 grain more or so with the fast burning powders such as Bullseye or Clays. I only load in .357 cases to avoid chamber leading in my GP100, but frequently download to .38 SPCL velocities.

dick w. holliday · April 10, 2001, 08:25 PM

i've never tried to compare but supposedly using the longer brass is more accurate because the bullet doesn't have to go as far before contacting the rifling....Dick

AlbertaCanada · April 11, 2001, 01:21 AM

I have used .357 cases loaded to .38Spl specs(+.1gr.). I shoot 148gr LSWC with varied results. I think that if i used a powder that occupied more space in the case, I would get better accuracy.- Not that it is really bad with the .357 cases. It's just that I thought it would be better because the bullet would be starting out closer to the cone of the cylinder.
Any thoughts, guys?

Hal · April 11, 2001, 01:52 AM

Yes. Most of the time.
Unique works very well for this as does Win231. Check the Cowboy loading data for the .357mag. Usually it's pretty close to exactly what the regular loads for the .38Special are, except the case used is the .357mag.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

April 10, 2001, 10:22 AM	#1
wolf 1415 Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2000 Posts: 170	Can .38 and .38 +p load recipes be used in .357 cases verbatim? The case is not much longer, and I would suspect that seating the bullet a little (.10) deeper would create the exact same case dimension, if the exact same case dimension is required. This all makes sense to me but TFL'ers have saved me more than once. This seems like an FAQ, but I couldn't find it in a search. Thanks in advance.

April 10, 2001, 11:50 AM	#2
Poodleshooter Senior Member Join Date: August 7, 2000 Location: Floating down the James River in VA Posts: 2,599	Yes, most .38 loads have a pressure equivalent in .357 data, usually about .1-.2 grain more or so with the fast burning powders such as Bullseye or Clays. I only load in .357 cases to avoid chamber leading in my GP100, but frequently download to .38 SPCL velocities.

April 10, 2001, 08:25 PM	#3
dick w. holliday Senior Member Join Date: January 13, 2001 Location: NC Posts: 589	i've never tried to compare but supposedly using the longer brass is more accurate because the bullet doesn't have to go as far before contacting the rifling....Dick

April 11, 2001, 01:21 AM	#4
AlbertaCanada Member Join Date: November 2, 2000 Posts: 73	I have used .357 cases loaded to .38Spl specs(+.1gr.). I shoot 148gr LSWC with varied results. I think that if i used a powder that occupied more space in the case, I would get better accuracy.- Not that it is really bad with the .357 cases. It's just that I thought it would be better because the bullet would be starting out closer to the cone of the cylinder. Any thoughts, guys?

April 11, 2001, 01:52 AM	#5
Hal Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 1998 Location: Ohio USA Posts: 8,563	Yes. Most of the time. Unique works very well for this as does Win231. Check the Cowboy loading data for the .357mag. Usually it's pretty close to exactly what the regular loads for the .38Special are, except the case used is the .357mag.