Is there any reason to save my 38 special brass?

2DaMtns · May 16, 2009, 12:34 PM

I have been doing the delightful chore of decapping all my spent brass for 38/357 over the last few days. I have about 500 or so once-fired 38 cases, and I can't figure out a reason to keep them. I have plenty 357 cases and figured I could just load them down to 38 level for plinking, etc, plus it would prevent the ring build up in the chambers of my revolvers. All of my guns are 357, no 38 only. I don't anticipate buying any 38 exclusive pistols in the foreseeable future, if ever. The only reason I can come up with is that I can fit one more 38 case in my 1894c, but I don't know if that is reason enough to keep them. I think it would be less confusing if I just kept the 357 cases and loaded them down when I want 38 performance. Can you all think of any other reason to keep them?

Gazzmann · May 16, 2009, 12:45 PM

When your 357 cases are no longer reloadable you can always load a batch of 38's.
If were closer I could use them.
John

cerberus65 · May 16, 2009, 12:51 PM

I don't reload .38 special either (all .357) but I keep all my .38 cases. I figure I can always trade them at some point if I want to.

k Squared · May 16, 2009, 12:53 PM

I reload my lighter loads in 38 cases just to keep them separate from my hotter 357 loads.

I have experienced problems ejecting 357 brass, which I assumed was due to lead build up from the 38 rounds, but the problem showed up after about 30 years of shooting the gun and was cleared up with a few passes of a lead remover tool.

Adjusting the seating and crimping die was enough of a pain that I bought a second die.

tiberius10721 · May 16, 2009, 01:08 PM

I keep all my 38 special and 357 brass and reload them both!I love 38 special brass because my wife has a smith and wesson 38 special airweight and I load plinker loads for her to cut down on the recoil.theres just so much you can do with 38 special and 357

Sevens · May 16, 2009, 04:01 PM

There are plenty of folks who can use .38 Special brass, so keeping them is the way to go, IMO.

And given the space that 500 pieces of .38 Special would claim in a small box or bag or coffee can somewhere near your bench, seems odd that you find you need to have it exiled from your space.

My advice would be to give them to the next guy you see shooting .38 Special that you know is a handloader. He'll love them, like finding money in an old jacket pocket. And spotting a reloader is easy, easy work... just look for the guy at the range who is pulling his ammo from a plastic, flip top box.

At the least, you'll make someone's day.

kraigwy · May 16, 2009, 05:30 PM

I dont load light 357s, I low 38s. If I'm gonna load 357s I'm gonna load 357s. I load 38s for light and target loads.

farmerboy · May 16, 2009, 07:22 PM

I have no idea of why you would like to keep them laying around just cluttering things up, Just send them to me and I would be happy to help you de-clutter.

iScream · May 16, 2009, 07:35 PM

I'll trade you 500 CCI small pistol primers for 500 38 Special cases.

-Chris

JCS1 · May 16, 2009, 08:40 PM

Hello
I'll send you the shipping cost and then you could send me the brass. That way we would both be happy

. I promise to take good care of them for you. I can also help out with any 44 mag brass you have laying around. LMK.
Thanks

Sport45 · May 16, 2009, 10:37 PM

Keep them and use them. The 38's eject better than .357 brass. The ring isn't that hard to clean.

Levant · May 17, 2009, 08:02 AM

You should save them if only to give them to your new best friend, Levant. They would go very nicely in my Henry Big Boy.

jdscholer · May 17, 2009, 09:04 AM

Someday ya might come across a really sweet revolver, that just happens to be a 38. Having those brass might be the incentive that you need to add another cherished member to your family of guns. Believe me, there's tons of really nice 38's out there just waiting to be loved.

jd

David Wile · May 17, 2009, 12:32 PM

Hey folks,

I don't bother with .38s either, but I have a bag full of them - maybe 200 cases. If anyone lives near Mechanicsburg, PA and would like them, give me an E-Mail ([email protected]), and I will be happy to give them to you. I do not want to be bothered sending them by mail, however.

If no one nearby wants them, I could take them to Florida with me next winter, and maybe I might be close enough for Gazzman to get them.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile

May 16, 2009, 12:34 PM	#1
2DaMtns Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 2008 Posts: 457	Is there any reason to save my 38 special brass? I have been doing the delightful chore of decapping all my spent brass for 38/357 over the last few days. I have about 500 or so once-fired 38 cases, and I can't figure out a reason to keep them. I have plenty 357 cases and figured I could just load them down to 38 level for plinking, etc, plus it would prevent the ring build up in the chambers of my revolvers. All of my guns are 357, no 38 only. I don't anticipate buying any 38 exclusive pistols in the foreseeable future, if ever. The only reason I can come up with is that I can fit one more 38 case in my 1894c, but I don't know if that is reason enough to keep them. I think it would be less confusing if I just kept the 357 cases and loaded them down when I want 38 performance. Can you all think of any other reason to keep them?

May 16, 2009, 12:53 PM	#4
k Squared Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2007 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 238	Keep em I reload my lighter loads in 38 cases just to keep them separate from my hotter 357 loads. I have experienced problems ejecting 357 brass, which I assumed was due to lead build up from the 38 rounds, but the problem showed up after about 30 years of shooting the gun and was cleared up with a few passes of a lead remover tool. Adjusting the seating and crimping die was enough of a pain that I bought a second die. __________________ K Squared

May 16, 2009, 04:01 PM	#6
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	There are plenty of folks who can use .38 Special brass, so keeping them is the way to go, IMO. And given the space that 500 pieces of .38 Special would claim in a small box or bag or coffee can somewhere near your bench, seems odd that you find you need to have it exiled from your space. My advice would be to give them to the next guy you see shooting .38 Special that you know is a handloader. He'll love them, like finding money in an old jacket pocket. And spotting a reloader is easy, easy work... just look for the guy at the range who is pulling his ammo from a plastic, flip top box. At the least, you'll make someone's day. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

May 16, 2009, 05:30 PM	#7
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	I dont load light 357s, I low 38s. If I'm gonna load 357s I'm gonna load 357s. I load 38s for light and target loads. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

May 16, 2009, 08:40 PM	#10
JCS1 Member Join Date: February 20, 2009 Location: Bloomington, In. Posts: 37	Re: Is there any reason to save my 38 special Hello I'll send you the shipping cost and then you could send me the brass. That way we would both be happy. I promise to take good care of them for you. I can also help out with any 44 mag brass you have laying around. LMK. Thanks __________________ John NRA Endowment Member Reloading 40+ years *I miss my wife but my aim is getting better.*

May 16, 2009, 12:45 PM	#2
Gazzmann Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2007 Location: South Florida Posts: 133	When your 357 cases are no longer reloadable you can always load a batch of 38's. If were closer I could use them. John

May 16, 2009, 12:51 PM	#3
cerberus65 Senior Member Join Date: April 30, 2008 Posts: 384	I don't reload .38 special either (all .357) but I keep all my .38 cases. I figure I can always trade them at some point if I want to.

May 16, 2009, 01:08 PM	#5
tiberius10721 Junior member Join Date: December 22, 2008 Posts: 228	I keep all my 38 special and 357 brass and reload them both!I love 38 special brass because my wife has a smith and wesson 38 special airweight and I load plinker loads for her to cut down on the recoil.theres just so much you can do with 38 special and 357

May 16, 2009, 07:22 PM	#8
farmerboy Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 1,343	I have no idea of why you would like to keep them laying around just cluttering things up, Just send them to me and I would be happy to help you de-clutter.

May 16, 2009, 07:35 PM	#9
iScream Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 89	I'll trade you 500 CCI small pistol primers for 500 38 Special cases. -Chris

May 16, 2009, 10:37 PM	#11
Sport45 Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 1999 Location: Too close to Houston Posts: 4,196	Keep them and use them. The 38's eject better than .357 brass. The ring isn't that hard to clean. __________________ Proud member of the NRA and Texas State Rifle Association. Registered and active voter.

May 17, 2009, 08:02 AM	#12
Levant Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2008 Posts: 182	You should save them if only to give them to your new best friend, Levant. They would go very nicely in my Henry Big Boy.

May 17, 2009, 09:04 AM	#13
jdscholer Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 1,197	Someday ya might come across a really sweet revolver, that just happens to be a 38. Having those brass might be the incentive that you need to add another cherished member to your family of guns. Believe me, there's tons of really nice 38's out there just waiting to be loved. jd __________________ "We're all dummies, just in different ways." Old Okie Philosopher

May 17, 2009, 12:32 PM	#14
David Wile Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2001 Location: Mechanicsburg, PA Posts: 585	Hey folks, I don't bother with .38s either, but I have a bag full of them - maybe 200 cases. If anyone lives near Mechanicsburg, PA and would like them, give me an E-Mail ([email protected]), and I will be happy to give them to you. I do not want to be bothered sending them by mail, however. If no one nearby wants them, I could take them to Florida with me next winter, and maybe I might be close enough for Gazzman to get them. Best wishes, Dave Wile