Loading 38 special in 357 case?

brotus2

January 19, 2010 12:17

Can this be done so as to not get the "short ring" in the cylinder.

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  PA Shootist

  January 19, 2010 12:37

  If you mean .38 Special power-level loads in .357 Magnum cases, yes of course. Most reloading manuals will show many loads from light target .38 Special power and velocity on up for the .357 case.

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  Mobuck

  January 19, 2010 14:12

  One manual I have states that 357 target loads use 38 special data. I load offbrand cases and odd and ends of 357 cases with lighter loads and lead bullets. I don't think you have much of a problem with the short cases if you clean the cylinder well. From what I 've read the worst case is not cleaning and ending up with a pitted area.

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  lksmith03

  January 22, 2010 16:35

  ABSOLUTELY!!! a 357 is just a suped up and stretched 38spcl.
  I have several that I used my lee cutter (the $4 one) to trim down to 38Spcl length to use in my wife's airweight. as much extra space that 38 loads generally have in the cases the thicker walls will make no appreciable difference in pressure

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  Colonel Plink

  January 22, 2010 19:33

  I prefer to use 357 brass. Using 5 gr of Unique pushing a cast, 158 grain SWC, it's exceedingly mild in my S&W 28-2.
  
  Of course, that is an N-frame.

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