.38/.357 200 grain jacket round nose?

[hoofchaz]

What do you think of the possibilty of loading a 200 grain jacketed bullet meant for the .35 Remington into .38 or .357 brass? I think it would almost be better to use the .38 brass as it keeps the overall case length down. These loads would be for a single shot rifle (such as a Pedersoli, or Ruger number 1). I am thinking of getting a rifle to shoot .38's out of because of how cheap I can load them, but would love to be able to load a big heavy bullet to use to hunt, or shoot longer ranges.
Thanks,
CHAZ

 

[CraigC]

I wouldn't expect them to expand so you'd be better off to just use a good cast bullet.

 

[Cosmoline]

I've loaded a variety of 180 and 200 grain cast FN bullets for the .357, though nothing from the .35 Remington. It certainly can be done, but your velocities are not going to be stellar. I can't imagine you'll get anywhere near the FPS needed to hunt or shoot longer ranges with the limited case capacity. You'd have to rechamber for the .357 Maximum.

 

[hoofchaz]

I didn't consider the velocity not expanding bullets. If I reamed the barrel to .357 maximum would I still be OK with .38's?

CHAZ

 

[Cosmoline]

I think so, but why would you want to do that? If you're reaming out for the new cartridge you can adjust your throat at the same time.

I don't think you'll ever really get enough speed to get a 200 grainer into rifle level velocity for hunting big game, but you could get an interesting gun for knocking down steel targets.

 

[hoofchaz]

I can reload .38's right now for the price of primers. I bet I have 5,000 cases, and maybe that many bullets. That and the 4 pounds of powder that I had laying around will load a lot of .38's.

I have a Marlin 1894 cowboy comp, and it is .38 special only. I would like to have a rifle that I can use the .38's to practice (scope or tang sights) and then stoke up with .357 if I want to.
CHAZ

 

[Cosmoline]

Maybe you could simply rechamber the Marlin to .357 Magnum. That's pretty straight-forward. Unless you're going to use .357 Maximum cartridges there's no point in rechambering for that round.

How on earth did you get that many .35 Remington bullets?

 

[hoofchaz]

Sorry, the 200 grainers I probably have less than a thousand, I have 5k cast lead bullets for the .38 (for practice). When my dad makes bullets he makes bullets. I think the last time he cast he said it was going to be his last. I believe he chewed through over a ton of lead.
CHAZ