38 special loads in a 357 magnum?

Deja vu · September 15, 2011, 07:38 AM

First of all I have to say sorry. I know I could look this up my self but currently all my reloading books are boxed up... had a leaking pipe.

I have been thinking of reloading for some CAS fun. I know that you can load a 357 magnum brass with a 38 special load and have it fire, the question is what can I expect?

Will the velocity be higher than the 38 special (with the very same load) or will it be lower or will it stay the same? I know this may be a dumb question but I am looking to reloading people with more experience than my self.

LordTio3 · September 15, 2011, 08:08 AM

Deleted Post...

For some reason, I completely mis-interpreted the OP's question. Sorry about that. For an actual answer see 2 posts down.

Slamfire · September 15, 2011, 10:27 AM

Deleted post

mikld · September 15, 2011, 11:33 AM

The same powder charge in a larger capacity case (.357 vs .38 Spec.) will result in lower pressure/velocity...

azphx55 · September 15, 2011, 03:38 PM

Not a criticism, just an observation:

I'll bet there would have been less confusion if the subject of the post had said "357 magnum brass". The human brain has a really nasty habit of seeing what it expects to see even when the words are right in front of us.

PA-Joe · September 15, 2011, 04:00 PM

You can use 357 cases or 38 special cases in your 357. If you use a lot of 38 special cases you may get some lead buildup inside the chamber that has to be removed once in a while. You can also use light 357 loads.

GP100man · September 15, 2011, 05:02 PM

I use Hodgdons CLAYS powder for low to intermediate loads in 357 brass.

3.4grs will get ya 850 fps or so 4.4grs will put ya close to 1000 fps

CLAYS is a very dense powder , so I load in batches so I can inspect the powder levels very closely ,as 4.4grs will only fill the 357 case 1/2 way or there abouts .

CLAYS will burn clean ,cleaner than other powders at low pressures & even cleaner as pressures go up.

CLAYS is also the most position insensitive when loaded lite .

Hodgdon sells it in 14oz & 4lb containers , mite sell it in 8lb ,but have never seen 1.

If only limited to 2 revolver powders , it`d be CLAYS & H-110 or 2400

I use regular primers to lite it , did`nt see no difference in ES when using mag primers.

243winxb · September 15, 2011, 07:18 PM

Quote:

The same powder charge in a larger capacity case (.357 vs .38 Spec.) will result in lower pressure/velocity...

Very true, plus the larger air space with light target loads will result in big variations in velocity, depending on type of powder* & where the powder charge is positioned in the case at the time of firing. This can be reduced a little by using a 148 gr Wad cutter style bullet or bulky powders*.

amamnn · September 15, 2011, 08:48 PM

Believe it or not, the powder makers know all about CAS and make powders for just this purpose. They bulk up larger and fill your case to prevent great variation in ignition, but are at the same time very mild. Trailboss is one of these powders.

AlaskaMike · September 16, 2011, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Very true, plus the larger air space with light target loads will result in big variations in velocity, depending on where the powder charge is positioned in the case at the time of firing. This can be reduced a little by using a 148 gr Wad cutter style bullet.

While what you say is certainly true, it's a little misleading. It's totally dependent on the powder used.

Hook686 · September 16, 2011, 01:12 AM

Take a look a Alliant's load page for CAS. I note that Alliant loads the .38 Special bullet with more powder and get more velocity than using the same bullet in the .357 magnum brass. Can anyone think why Alliant would limit the .357 loadings more than with the .38 Special ?

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloade...aspx?gtypeid=5

GP100man · September 16, 2011, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Take a look a Alliant's load page for CAS. I note that Alliant loads the .38 Special bullet with more powder and get more velocity than using the same bullet in the .357 magnum brass. Can anyone think why Alliant would limit the .357 loadings more than with the .38 Special

I have a suspicion that they out source there testing & just don`t ante up for alot of testing .

Then again it`s MY suspicion

Walkalong · September 18, 2011, 08:43 AM

I load light .38 Spl type loads in .357 brass all the time. Like GP100man I use Clays for one of my favorites using a 125 Gr bullet. It is one of the least position sensitive powders at these power levels, burns clean and is accurate. A triple charge will fit in the case, so be on your toes while loading.

I like WST or Competition with plated 148 Gr HBWC's in .357 brass. I run them at 700 ish FPS. Nice accurate soft shooting load I can shoot all day. They are also fairly position insensitive at the levels, plus the WC fills much of the space in the case. Same caveat. You can double charge a case if not paying attention.

When loading .38 Spl loads in .357 cases you may need to increase the charge .1 to .2 Grs of powder, but sometimes with very fast powders you will not find a need to do so.

Quote:

Can anyone think why Alliant would limit the .357 loadings more than with the .38 Special

No good one.

September 15, 2011, 07:38 AM	#1
Deja vu Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2010 Location: Border of Idaho & Montana Posts: 2,584	38 special loads in a 357 magnum? First of all I have to say sorry. I know I could look this up my self but currently all my reloading books are boxed up... had a leaking pipe. I have been thinking of reloading for some CAS fun. I know that you can load a 357 magnum brass with a 38 special load and have it fire, the question is what can I expect? Will the velocity be higher than the 38 special (with the very same load) or will it be lower or will it stay the same? I know this may be a dumb question but I am looking to reloading people with more experience than my self. __________________ Shot placement is everything! I would rather take a round of 50BMG to the foot than a 22short to the base of the skull. all 26 of my guns are 45/70 govt, 357 mag, 22 or 12 ga... I believe in keeping it simple. Wish my wife did as well...

September 15, 2011, 08:08 AM	#2
LordTio3 Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2010 Location: Bloomington, Indiana Posts: 850	Deleted Post... For some reason, I completely mis-interpreted the OP's question. Sorry about that. For an actual answer see 2 posts down. __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ- Greek:"Come and take them..." Meaning: Here we peaceably stand as armed and free men, willing to defend that peace, and ready to make war upon anyone who threatens that freedom. Last edited by LordTio3; September 15, 2011 at 12:42 PM.

September 15, 2011, 10:27 AM	#3
Slamfire Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2007 Posts: 5,261	Deleted post __________________ If I'm not shooting, I'm reloading. Last edited by Slamfire; September 15, 2011 at 10:29 AM. Reason: Answered wrong question

September 15, 2011, 11:33 AM	#4
mikld Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2009 Location: Southern Oregon! Posts: 2,891	The same powder charge in a larger capacity case (.357 vs .38 Spec.) will result in lower pressure/velocity... __________________ My Anchor is holding fast! I've learned how to stand on my own two knees...

September 15, 2011, 05:02 PM	#7
GP100man Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2007 Location: Tabor City , NC. Posts: 1,969	I use Hodgdons CLAYS powder for low to intermediate loads in 357 brass. 3.4grs will get ya 850 fps or so 4.4grs will put ya close to 1000 fps CLAYS is a very dense powder , so I load in batches so I can inspect the powder levels very closely ,as 4.4grs will only fill the 357 case 1/2 way or there abouts . CLAYS will burn clean ,cleaner than other powders at low pressures & even cleaner as pressures go up. CLAYS is also the most position insensitive when loaded lite . Hodgdon sells it in 14oz & 4lb containers , mite sell it in 8lb ,but have never seen 1. If only limited to 2 revolver powders , it`d be CLAYS & H-110 or 2400 I use regular primers to lite it , did`nt see no difference in ES when using mag primers. __________________ GP100man

September 15, 2011, 03:38 PM	#5
azphx55 Member Join Date: September 7, 2010 Posts: 85	Not a criticism, just an observation: I'll bet there would have been less confusion if the subject of the post had said "357 magnum brass". The human brain has a really nasty habit of seeing what it expects to see even when the words are right in front of us.

September 15, 2011, 04:00 PM	#6
PA-Joe Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2010 Location: NEPA Posts: 909	You can use 357 cases or 38 special cases in your 357. If you use a lot of 38 special cases you may get some lead buildup inside the chamber that has to be removed once in a while. You can also use light 357 loads.

September 15, 2011, 08:48 PM	#9
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	Believe it or not, the powder makers know all about CAS and make powders for just this purpose. They bulk up larger and fill your case to prevent great variation in ignition, but are at the same time very mild. Trailboss is one of these powders. __________________ "If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal

September 16, 2011, 01:12 AM	#11
Hook686 Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2005 Location: USA The Great State of California Posts: 2,090	Take a look a Alliant's load page for CAS. I note that Alliant loads the .38 Special bullet with more powder and get more velocity than using the same bullet in the .357 magnum brass. Can anyone think why Alliant would limit the .357 loadings more than with the .38 Special ? http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloade...aspx?gtypeid=5 __________________ Hook686 When the number of people in institutions reaches 51%, we change sides.