.38+p and .357

[blaisenguns]

Hi, my name is blaise and I am new to this forum and relatively new to reloading. I was wondering if it was safe to load a .357 magnum shell equivelent to a .38 speceal +P. The reason I want to do this is my mom cant handle the .357 mag, and I figure she could handle the .38+P in the heavy .357 magnum, and I have dont have any .38 cases. Thanks for any advice in advance.

 

[rcmodel]

Perfectly safe.

Try using start load .357 data of any of the faster burning powders.

For instance, 6.5 grains Bullseye and a 125 JHP will give 864 FPS with very little recoil or blast.

rc

 

[Steve C]

You can load a .357 mag case using data as light as standard .38 spl up to the magnum level. While the .357 mag case has a bit more volume the velocity loss is not significant over the .38 spl load. Use a fast to medium burn rate powder from Bullseye to the Unique burn rate range for reduced loads rather than a slower magnum powder like 2400 or AA9.

For a .38 spl +P load I use 6.0grs of Unique behind any 125gr jacketed bullet for 1,050 fps from a 4" revolver and it should give similar velocity in a .357 mag case, perhaps 25 to as much as 50 fps less. Factory loaded +P .38 spl with 125gr bullets run around 950 fps from a 4" barrel accroding to published ballistics.

 

[redscho]

How about the reverse? How much risk in loading a 38 Special case to 357 levels? I have only .357 Ruger Security 6 and a .357 rifle (Marlin 1894) so I am not worried in them finding their way into a firearm not designed for .357. I seem to have accumulated a fair amount of 38 Special brass.

 

[rcmodel]

Not recommended.

A .38 Spc case isn't as strong as a .357 case, either in thickness, or hardness.

You can load some pretty hot loads in .38 Spl cases, but the risk is always there that at some point in time, for one reason or another, they will not be under your direct supervision any longer and get in a .38 Special gun.

rc

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

if you have Red Dot and 158gr LSWC slugs try a few with 4.5grs.
about 1000 fps out of an S&W 6" mdl 28 (a heavy revolver) and little recoil or muzzle flash.
enough 'grunt' to let you know it's a .357 but not a sharp recoil.
that big a slug would do bad damage too.
should add to load this in .357 cases.

 

[Steve C]

I am not worried in them finding their way into a firearm not designed for .357.

IMO its not a good idea to put a magnum pressure load in a non mag case because as much as you "think" that they will not find their way into a non-mag gun it can still happen with results you may not desire. This is the main reason knowledgeable people do not shoot ammo reloaded by other people they don't know and trust, however many shooters out there are not that knowledgeable.

There's several unintended ways the ammo could reach someone you do not want to hurt or who you wouldn't wish any gun damage to that may shoot it in a .38 spl.

Range buddies that "borrow" a few round to shoot in their pistol. Children or relatives that "borrow" a few rounds to shoot in a new gun or a friends gun. Someone who picks up a round you inadverently dropped and drops it into their or someone elses box. Etc. Etc.

 

[redscho]

You guys make a good point. It is not worth risking an incident loading38 Sp with 357 Magnum loads. Bad idea on my part. :banghead:

 

[FROGO207]

If you can't find some once fired brass in 38 spl locally try looking on gunbroker there are still some deals on this but 357 brass has gone out of sight. There always is the option of buying some new brass from say Cabellas, Natchess Shooters Supplies, or Midway USA. A bag of brass and some bullets is usually a decent deal from them.

 

[redscho]

357 vs 38 Special case thickness

rc model's statement got me curious.

"A .38 Spc case isn't as strong as a .357 case, either in thickness, or hardness."

I measured the case thickness and both the 357 and 38 Spl were 0.0135. No way to check the hardness, so that must be the only difference if there is one.

 

[rcmodel]

What part did you measure that was .0135?
Is that the case mouth neck thickness?

What I was referring too is the case web thickness down near the head.
If you look inside a .38 Spl case and a .357 Mag case, I think you will find the .38 has a larger diameter near the case web / flash hole. (IE: Nearly straight wall thickness all the way down.)

The .357 is smaller around there because the case web walls are thicker. (More taper from about half way way down)

FWIW: I just glanced inside a couple of cases. Really need to section them lengthwise and measure them I guess.
But my calibrated eyeball is telling me the .357 is smaller around inside right above the flash hole then the .38 Spl.

rc

 

[redscho]

Learn something new every day. Not bad for my 80th orbit around the sun. Measured 38 Sp .125 up from the rim and it is 0.0182" thick, while the .357 measured at the same point is 0.215 thick. Quite a difference.

 

[rcmodel]

Well there ya go then!

Once again, my calibrated eyeball has never failed me yet!

rc

 

[Walkalong]

This has come up before, and I did a little test back then.

Pic