[Blakenzy]

For a .357 magnum gun, how well will .357 cases work trying to replicate soft, low recoil .38 target loads? Should I spend extra money on .38 brass to use .38 practice ammo recipes or just use the .357s I have and down load them to my desired level?

[loadedround]

If you want a comfortable plinkinking/semi-target load, just use the 158gr lead starting load listed in a newer reloading mamual. If you want something lighter than that, such as a true target load with the lead 148 gr LWC, then I would invest in a box of 38 cases, they're cheap enough. It is bad reloading practice attempting to duplicate 38 special light loads in 357 mag cases, especially with fast powders such as Bullseye or 231. People have done this, but it's not worth the chance of a KABOOM doing so. Just remember to scrub the residue out of your revolver chambers after shooting the 38's, otherwise you will have difficulty seating your 357's. Sometimes your best friend can be your reloading manual! Good shooting. :)

[Walkalong]

I download .357 brass to .38 and light .38 levels all the time. Works great. :)

[Marlin 45 carbine]

I load .357 158 LSWC with a 10% from max charge of Red Dot - has a respectable recoil but in a heavy revolver actually pleasureable - shoots good too.

[SASS#23149]

for really light recoil loads you'll just about need to shoot lead bullets,as they can be fired using less powder than jacketed.
Get some lead bullets and use loads found in the 'cowboy loads' section of load mauals/sites. they are nice and wimpy.

[rcmodel]

It is bad reloading practice attempting to duplicate 38 special light loads in 357 mag cases,

, but it's not worth the chance of a KABOOM doing so.I don't agree at all.

If anything, a light load in a .357 Mag case is safer then a light load in a .38 Spl case.
Because the Mag case is stronger.

Still, a light .38 load in a mag case has more case capacity, so pressure will be lower then the same load in a .38 Spl case.

The only danger is going too low with .38 data in the Mag case, and not having enough pressure to get the bullet out of the barrel.

rc

[Walkalong]

I have found that plated bullets need to get to at least 400 FPS to get out of a 6" barrel using fast powders, 500 FPS is better, and 600 would be my bottom line. All my light loads with plated bullets are 700 FPS or better in .38 and .357 cases.

Clays, 700X, American Select, AA #2, & Red Dot will all work safely for this. Probably others as well.

I agree with SASS#23149. For all those real powder puff loads, lead is a much better choice.

I don't agree at all.
Me either. :)

[Tom S.]

I totally agree with rcmodel. I have been shooting 148 wad cutters out of .357 brass for well over 30 years using .38 load data. They are cheap to make, accurrate and fun to shoot.

[loadedround]

Rcmodel: My inetntion is not to start an argument, but to keep everyone safe. Many years ago there were reported instances of detonation in 38 special cases with very light loads of fast pistol powder(read Bullseye). The famed ballistics laboratory, H.P. White, was never able to duplicate these so called detonations in the lab. Many years ago I witnessed a shooter blow up a new K-38 with a light target load that was in common use in the late '60's during a pistol match in Pa. Every since I have cautioned people to be careful with light loads. If it has not been published, don't try it! I never want to see another "kaboom" again, therefore my caution. Please excuse my rant, I want everyone safe! 'nuff said :)

[FredT]

I'll bet dollars to donuts that the blow up was due to a double or triple load of that light powder load, not to the proper load itself.

[Walkalong]

Yep, millions of loads downrange with 2.7 Grs Bullseye and 148 Gr WC's.

To error on the side of caution is always wise, especially for the novice reloader.

[DickM]

FWIW (1): The 4th Edition of the Hornady reloading manual (which I recognize is not the most recent, but it's the one I have) says to use the .38 Special data if you want to load 148 gr WCs in .357 cases.

FWIW (2): I've been loading 148 gr HBWC target loads in .357 cases using .38 Special data (more or less) with a variety of powders for about 35 years. No problems yet.