Master Blaster
Member
I only shoot .357 in all of my .38 special revolvers.. .357 is the diameter of a .38 special bullet 
Why do guys buy a 357 mag, and shoot only 38 caliber in it
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.308 Norma
Member
Ha! Yeah, most of my commercial cast .38 Special bullets are .358". At least they are before they go down the barrels of my revolvers..357 is the diameter of a .38 special bullet
CapnMac
Member
In my case is was the stocks.
In my 6" Python with the factory target stocks on, most .357mag rounds were a handfull. So, it was much nicer to run 158gr .38spl through it.
Caught a deal on a set of Hogue goncalo alves stocks with palm swells--this was an eye opener. 110gr .357mag rounds were suddenly lightweight. Sweet spot was 125gr Win Silvertips in .375mag.
In my 6" Python with the factory target stocks on, most .357mag rounds were a handfull. So, it was much nicer to run 158gr .38spl through it.
Caught a deal on a set of Hogue goncalo alves stocks with palm swells--this was an eye opener. 110gr .357mag rounds were suddenly lightweight. Sweet spot was 125gr Win Silvertips in .375mag.
Sauer Grapes
Member
3 of my revolvers are 38spl. 1 is a 357mag. Happy?????
RealGun
Member
44 Special versus 44 Magnum would be a similar discussion. Then there's 327 Federal Magnum versus 32 H&R Magnum.
DC Plumber
Member
Why do old people buy a 300+ horsepower car , then pull out in traffic and take for ever to get up to 53 mph?
Blacksmoke
Member
Since you brought it up....
I usually load .44 Special cartridges in my Redhawk for self defense. Mainly because of over penetration and there is little need for the recoil and power of a magnum load here unless the predators I am concerned with have four feet and claws. I can get a second and third shot off in the Redhawk with Special ammunition faster. Magnum ammo has become so "hot", I am looking for a magnum cartridge with a 240 grain bullet and a MV of around 1,000 to 1,100 FPS. It is possible that Winchester makes something like this with a JSP.
I carry. 38+p in my GP100 most days. Imho, walking around an urban setting or on a very well maintained natural trail where the most dangerous thing I'll stumble across would be a cranky raccoon, I don't need the blast and ear damage of the .357.
Now, the GP is also my carry piece when I head to the Smokies. A potential black bear means i stuff it full of 158 hard cast .357.
Regardless, I always carry a speed loader of the other cartridge in my pocket just in case I need to alter my load.
I don't find the. 357 out of a heavy steel gun punishing, but I don't see the reason to blind myself and rattle my teeth at the range for spits and giggles. I just like the option of being able to go full tilt if the situation calls for it.
Now, the GP is also my carry piece when I head to the Smokies. A potential black bear means i stuff it full of 158 hard cast .357.
Regardless, I always carry a speed loader of the other cartridge in my pocket just in case I need to alter my load.
I don't find the. 357 out of a heavy steel gun punishing, but I don't see the reason to blind myself and rattle my teeth at the range for spits and giggles. I just like the option of being able to go full tilt if the situation calls for it.
Crowman
Member
I shoot both cartridges in mine. My J-Frame carry guns are magnums, but for antipersonnel purposes, I carry .38 Specials. I tailor my ammunition to whatever the perceived task at hand requires. I like my CCW guns to be able to handle what my sidearms can chamber, in a pinch. For spring / summer ridge walking, I wear a Diamond D Guide's Choice chest rig with a GP100 Match Champion in it loaded with magnums consisting of either Grizzly or Buffalo Bore 180 grain hard cast RNFP-GC bullets; whereas, my EDC concealed carry gun (Performance Center model 640 Pro Series) is loaded with snake shot and Buffalo Bore 158 grain .38 Special Keith style cast SWC "Outdoorsman" loads around the property, or for town, HPR 158 grain JHP 38 Specials. But, I can still interchange ammunition freely which I cannot do with a single cartridge gun.
DC Plumber
Member
Because we can. Gotta love America.
SAWBONES
Member
Why do guys buy a 357 mag, and shoot only 38 caliber in it?
Those with experience typically don't do that, unless the model of revolver they desire is available only in .357 Magnum chambering, e.g., the S&W 340PD.
Shooting .38 Special loads in a revolver chambered for .357 Magnum fouls the fronts of the cylinder holes, allows for extra gas leakage due to effective increase in freebore, and in some cases degrades precision.
If one intends to shoot .38 Special, it's better to buy a dedicated .38 Special revolver.
Of course, lacking experience but possessing imagination, many will buy a small, lightweight revolver chambered for .357 Magnum "just so they have the option" of shooting the more powerful caliber, yet will rarely (especially after acquiring experience!) or never do so.
Those with experience typically don't do that, unless the model of revolver they desire is available only in .357 Magnum chambering, e.g., the S&W 340PD.
Shooting .38 Special loads in a revolver chambered for .357 Magnum fouls the fronts of the cylinder holes, allows for extra gas leakage due to effective increase in freebore, and in some cases degrades precision.
If one intends to shoot .38 Special, it's better to buy a dedicated .38 Special revolver.
Of course, lacking experience but possessing imagination, many will buy a small, lightweight revolver chambered for .357 Magnum "just so they have the option" of shooting the more powerful caliber, yet will rarely (especially after acquiring experience!) or never do so.
USSR
Member
Been shooting 38 Specials in .357 Magnum pistols for 45 years. No problems with accuracy at all. But then again I clean my guns after shooting.
.308 Norma
Member
That seems to happen to the best of us. And I'm pretty sure hard kicking handguns makes it happen sooner.
dbmjr1
Member
Is it ok if I shoot .357's out of my Model 10. 
Oh, you say, It won't chamber?
Wanna bet?
I picked up a used Model ten. It started life as a 6"HB. It was chopped to 3", the forcing cone was set closer to the cylinder, the action was worked, and the cylinders were chamfered a bit for faster reloads.
Drop a .357 in one of those cylinders and it falls right in.
It was most likely a cops gun. Perfect carry length, everything done right.
I know. Y'all gonna say how setting the forcing cone back decreases reliability. Yes/No. Most gunfights around here don't go on for hundreds of rounds, but yes I've locked it up shooting cast bullets. Never jacketed though. I know how to safely remediate that problem with relative ease.
I did a lot of reading, and it's likely very safe to shoot .357s out of it. Lighter loads at least. I haven't done it, but I understand wanting the option in a pinch.
BTW. This is one of the most accurate 10's I have.
ETA: ONLY SHOOT THE AMMO YOUR FIREARM WAS DESIGNED FOR. NEVER MODIFY A FIREARM. (Leegle speak required).
Oh, you say, It won't chamber?
Wanna bet?
I picked up a used Model ten. It started life as a 6"HB. It was chopped to 3", the forcing cone was set closer to the cylinder, the action was worked, and the cylinders were chamfered a bit for faster reloads.
Drop a .357 in one of those cylinders and it falls right in.
It was most likely a cops gun. Perfect carry length, everything done right.
I know. Y'all gonna say how setting the forcing cone back decreases reliability. Yes/No. Most gunfights around here don't go on for hundreds of rounds, but yes I've locked it up shooting cast bullets. Never jacketed though. I know how to safely remediate that problem with relative ease.
I did a lot of reading, and it's likely very safe to shoot .357s out of it. Lighter loads at least. I haven't done it, but I understand wanting the option in a pinch.
BTW. This is one of the most accurate 10's I have.
ETA: ONLY SHOOT THE AMMO YOUR FIREARM WAS DESIGNED FOR. NEVER MODIFY A FIREARM. (Leegle speak required).
Personally, I don't trust minimum spec builds. The 357 is a heavier gun.
Built to withstand the abuse of shooting, whether 38, 38 +p, or 357.
FWIW, there was a gunsmith back in the 80s who specialized in rechambering 2" M10s to .357 Mag. I remember reading an article and test by Massad Ayoob on him and one of the guns.Is it ok if I shoot .357's out of my Model 10.
Oh, you say, It won't chamber?
Wanna bet?
I picked up a used Model ten. It started life as a 6"HB. It was chopped to 3", the forcing cone was set closer to the cylinder, the action was worked, and the cylinders were chamfered a bit for faster reloads.
Drop a .357 in one of those cylinders and it falls right in.
It was most likely a cops gun. Perfect carry length, everything done right.
I know. Y'all gonna say how setting the forcing cone back decreases reliability. Yes/No. Most gunfights around here don't go on for hundreds of rounds, but yes I've locked it up shooting cast bullets. Never jacketed though. I know how to safely remediate that problem with relative ease.
I did a lot of reading, and it's likely very safe to shoot .357s out of it. Lighter loads at least. I haven't done it, but I understand wanting the option in a pinch.
BTW. This is one of the most accurate 10's I have.
ETA: ONLY SHOOT THE AMMO YOUR FIREARM WAS DESIGNED FOR. NEVER MODIFY A FIREARM. (Leegle speak required).
I have a 2" M10 no-dash. I like it just fine in .38 Special.
pbearperry
Member
By driving careful they were able to get old.
Crowman
Member
Majority of my 38 caliber guns are magnums. Been shooting Specials in them for decades with no problems. I also shoot .45 Schofields in my .45 Colts with no problems. Also shoot .44 Specials in .44 Magnums...32 S&W and .32 H&R in .327 Federal Magnum revolvers...common thread here, ya see...They make solvents and brushes to clean any fouling in them as well...also have Lewis Lead Removers but rarely needed them. Just because the barrel sez .357 Magnum does not mean ya can't shoot .38 Specials or even the old .38 Long Colt in'em!
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