35 whelen projectiles in a 357

[Razor_J]

I know the projectile diameter is the same. I do wonder if I could put these in my Ruger sp101. I had a look at 357 cartridge length and frankly oal seems like it would be an issue. Perhaps if I used 38 special cases I could make them fit. I want to shoot 200 grain projectiles. What really worries me is that 35 whelen bullets have that rifle bullet taper to them and given my novice understanding it appears that they probably wont fit. Anybody ever tried something like this? I wont be looking for much speed. 800-950 fps would be just fine thanks. If it does fit I would like to find some 35 whelen projectiles that arent some designer round made for expansion. Frankly I just want the weight. I know that I cant reach velocities necessary to ensure expansion so the super duper expanding bullets would be lost on me.

 

[AK_Maine_iac]

I use 357 handgun bullets in my 35whelen loaded light, for plinking and small game.
I do not know if you can reverse it. The 200gr 35whelen bullet may be to long. Making the OAL to long to chamber.

I may be all wrong. Others on here are way smarter than i. All all know is the only way to find out is to Ask. As i was told by my Dad years ago. The only bad question is the one NOT asked.

 

[AK_Maine_iac]

I just pulled a 158 gr 357 bullet and compared it with a 200 gr 35whelen. The 35Whelen 200 gr was almost twice the length of the 357 158 gr.
If that helps.

 

[steveno]

357 & 38 special bullets are .357 diameter. the rifle bullets for the 35 whelen are .358 diameter.

 

[loadedround]

Won't work. The 35 Whelan round is too long to fit either a Colt or S&W cylinder. Even if it could, I would assume that the the jacket on the rifle bullet would be much thicker than a pistol bullet. If this is the case, I again assume the pressure may be a lot higher than normal and the thicker jacket may not "upset" iproperly in the pistol's barrel. As previously mentioned, there isn't a problem using a pistol bullet in a rifle, with all things being equal, especially bullet diameter.

 

[rcmodel]

I agree.

Nothing to gain, as the rifle bullet is too heavily constructed to expand at handgun velocity.

And something to lose.
Length & jacket toughness would certainly raise bore friction and pressures.

If you want a good heavy .357 bullet, try this.
http://www.hornady.com/store/38-Cal-.357-180-gr-HP-XTP/

The 180 grain is a perfect balance between weight and the velocity you can safely get out of a .357 handgun.

rc

 

[Razor_J]

thus it is spoken. The projectiles in the link look great. They will work fine, and if i get lazy and decide not to start reloading I can buy 170 grain gold dots. Thanks guys.

 

[Haxby]

Speer, Sierra, and Hornady sell jacketed 180's.
Federal and Remington sell loaded ammo with 180's.
Buffalo Bore, Double Tap, probably others, sell ammo with 180 and 200 gr cast bullets.
There are lots of 180 and 200 gr cast bullets available for reloading.

Don't know if cylinder length might be a factor with the SP101.

The Federal cast 180 load might be just what you're looking for, if you want a factory load.

 

[suemarkp]

Maybe a 35 Remington loading would be a bit better -- will be a flat point and less heavily constructed. May have a choice of lead or jacketed. But nothing 200 gr from a 357 is going to expand unless it is a dead soft lead bullet. But maybe you don't care about expansion.

If you're worried about size, you may be able to push it through a lead bullet resizer in .357 (or 358 if you choose a lead bullet).

 

[captain awesome]

I have thought about such things myself in the past. Perhaps moving up to a 357 maximum or 357 supermag for this application would be more plausible. I would find out what the max OAL of the cartridge in your gun would be and then do a little math and find out how much room you have in the case with it loaded at the max length. Then research and see if there are any loads any where comparable. I know certain software programs can tell you whether or not a load SHOULD BE safe. trailboss might be a good powder for what you want as it seems difficult to end up over pressure with it. As others have said I wouldn't see any benefit to it but, it is fun to do none the less, should you still want to pursue such things. Let us know how it goes if you do

 

[DWFan]

Don't use the rifle bullets. At the velocity you want, you are flirting with sticking the .358" bullet in the barrel. Cast bullets are better. The Lyman #358627 215gr SWC-GC or #358430 200gr LRN should work nicely.

 

[Overkilll0084]

Seems like an expensive way to shoot heavy bullets out of a revolver, IMHO. I don't monkey with rifles, but it's been my observation that rifle bullets are comparatively expensive. Especially since cast pistol bullets will do the job. I shoot MBC 180 Strikers all the time with no difficulty. I haven't looked for 200s but I imagine they aren't hard to find.
I you really wish to pursue this, find a T/C Contender in .357 and play with weird combos to your heart's content.

 

[buttrap]

I have used cast lead 200s for the .35 remington in .357s before but it really does not leave much space for powder in the case when seated to fit the cylinders.