38 Special - 357 vs 38

[GRIZ22]

I think too many are wrong about the extra freebore or bullet jump effecting accuracy shooting a 38 in a 357 revolver. If that were the case K frame S&W 22's would be the most inaccurate revolver made. There are few 22 revolvers made where the cylinder is the length of the cartridge.

I think the inaccuracy of 38s shot from a 357 is pretty much an invention of gun writers. They're "experts" so they have to come up with something profound. One 38 load might shoot poorly compared to a 357 and another 38 load might shoot better.

I just think in practical terms too much is made of this issue.

 

[ThomasT]

Griz22 you could do a test for us and prove the 38 out of 357 myth is false. Take your best 38 loads and your best 357 loads and shoot them both side by side. And not at the close 25 yard range but start at at least 50 yards. That should should show any radical dispersion between the two.

I do wish our resident retired gunwriter would chime in on this. He did a lot of testing when writing for the gun mags. I don't think I can say his real name but his poster name is Wil Terry.

If the OP had not stated all he wanted to shoot was 38s I would also recommend a 357 revolver. I just picked up an older Ruger GP-100 with a 4" barrel and its one nice pistola. Even full power 357 loads are easy to shoot. 38 loads are like a big 22 in recoil.

Since the OP reloads he has the ability to customize his loads. My favorite 357 load is 6.6grs of Unique under a hard cast 158gr lead bullet. A step up from a full power 38 but none of the blast of a full blown 357. It is probably the load I have shot the very most from my 357 guns. I even killed a large Goat with it. It penetrated from from end to end with an exit. The Goat took one step and fell over dead. Sure was good eating too.

 

[tubeshooter]

If you know in your heart of hearts that all you want and need is a .38, then just get a dedicated .38 and be done with it. There are plenty of S&W model 10/64 guns and such out there to be had for a reasonable price.



As you can see, most people are going to tell you to get a .357 for the versatility. The argument is logical and compelling.

 

[Jim NE]

In collecting old, full size revolvers, I've very much gravitated towards .38 Special because the cost is lower for well made old Smith and Wessons (for example) in .38 than .357. Noticeably so. The other thing is that, if I'm buying well used K frame Smiths, I'm more confidant that the structural integrity of the gun is more solid with the old .38 versions, as hot loads out of a .357 take a much greater toll (over the years) than hot loads out of a .38.

OTOH, if someone is only going to own one revolver in either .38 or .357, then the case can be made that the .357 is more versatile. But for defensive purposes, there are many .38 Special loads that are more than adequate. The only thing I would say is that for woods/bear defense, the .357 has a distinct advantage. Even so, Buffalo Bore makes outdoosman loads that will more or less put a (well built) .38 Special in .357 territory.

When all is said and done, neither is the wrong choice. Best wishes.

 

[RX-79G]

That is an excellent point Jim NE makes about used revolvers and .357. It takes a lot of shooting to mess up a gun that only chambers .38.


My NYPD 10 is rock solid and beautifully constructed. I think I am spoiled for buying more recent production with less refined construction.

 

[rduchateau2954]

Thanks guys. As far as bear/big forest critters, the .44 cover that. The 12 gauge and 1911 cover home and personal defense.

I've been doing some research on the ruger SP101 chambered in 327 federal magnum...

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[Poper]

rduchateau2954,

You seem to be all over the map. First, it's this or this, then well maybe this or that. Sit yourself down and do some self-examination as to what you really want/need, then come back with some specific questions. Just trying to be helpful.

Don

Ditto.


IMHO, you need to either; a) spend some serious time with yourself, or b) spend lots of money to scratch all of your itches at one time.

 

[Dave in Hawaii]

Yea, you're screwed. A lot of us have been there. Just start buying and trying...it's the only way you are going to figure it out. After spending a good deal of dough and a number of years things will get clearer. Been there / done that and I'm still not sure if I would get a 38 or 357 if I could only have one. Today, it would probably be a 686 (357). Yesterday it would have been a model 14 (38).

Maybe I missed it...but what are your plans for the gun? Is it a range gun, field / plinking gun? What distances and types of targets do you plan to shoot?

Best of luck,
Dave

 

[moonman16]

Model 10 S&W or Model 64 S&W (a model 10 in Stainless) are great revolvers to shoot and carry. 38 Special is a great caliber to shoot and reload. I load them with Bullseye powder, cheap and lots of loads per pound of powder.

I have a 64 Heavy Barrel DAO 4" 38 Special purchased from J&G Sales that I just love.

 

[TimSr]

But now I think the only new 38 specials sold are the 2 inch snub nose models so you probably have no choice but to buy a 357.

Pretty much true as mfg cost isn't much different, except with some of the budget brands like Rossi, Taurus, Rock Island Armory (Amscor) etc.

I think too many are wrong about the extra freebore or bullet jump effecting accuracy shooting a 38 in a 357 revolver. If that were the case K frame S&W 22's would be the most inaccurate revolver made. There are few 22 revolvers made where the cylinder is the length of the cartridge.

I think the inaccuracy of 38s shot from a 357 is pretty much an invention of gun writers. They're "experts" so they have to come up with something profound. One 38 load might shoot poorly compared to a 357 and another 38 load might shoot better.

I just think in practical terms too much is made of this issue.

I agree completely. I carry a 38 snub, but my 6" GP-100 is my all-purpose 38/357.

 

[brewer12345]

Take your pick. Sounds like 327 is now under consideration. I would guess ammo cost for that option will be a lot higher than 38, but that is up to you.

I went with 357 for both a revolver and a lever action. The wide variety of power available was attractive as was the easy availability of ammo.

 

[RX-79G]

Aside from allowing 6 rounds in a J frame, I don't get why .327 would be appealing. Probably a pain to reload, likely to go away like every other weird specialty caliber.

 

[CajunBass]

Doesn't much matter to me really. I'm just going to use it for punching holes in paper, and usually do that with 38 Specials. But I do like 357 GUNS and have owned dozens of them over the years. I don't shoot enough 357's to even think about them.

When I sold off most of my collection, I kept one of each, a Model 19 and a Model 15. Which one I like best is determined by which one I handed last.

Find one you like, at a price you're willing to pay, and go with it. You can always get the other later.

 

[rduchateau2954]

Aside from allowing 6 rounds in a J frame, I don't get why .327 would be appealing. Probably a pain to reload, likely to go away like every other weird specialty caliber.

https://www.gunandgame.com/threads/327-fed-magnum-compared-to-357-magnum-compared-to-9mm.63073/

Because it's different and has some benefits. A perk of reloading is all the "wildcats" that would otherwise be hard to find or too expensive are now an option.

That's how I have cans and cans of 44mag ammo that would cost a small fortune to buy off the shelf.

I'll eventually have a 1911 in 38 super, just because.

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[rduchateau2954]

Doesn't much matter to me really. I'm just going to use it for punching holes in paper, and usually do that with 38 Specials. But I do like 357 GUNS and have owned dozens of them over the years. I don't shoot enough 357's to even think about them.

When I sold off most of my collection, I kept one of each, a Model 19 and a Model 15. Which one I like best is determined by which one I handed last.

Find one you like, at a price you're willing to pay, and go with it. You can always get the other later.

That's all I be doing with it as well. Maybe a coyote gun for bowhunting or something.

It's just one of those things I wanted to learn more about. There are a few used .38's floating around, but all with 6" pencil barrels.

A .38 would be used, a 327 most likely new, a 357 could be either. Now that I've educated myself a bit more I'll continue cruising the shops and internet. If I see a gun that speaks to me I'll snatch it up.

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[stevekozak]

If you dont want a .357 mag, (and it seems you don't),then dont buy one. Why the discussion?

 

[Propforce]

You will end up getting all 3.

We've all been there. Get one you can get your hands on first.

 

[rduchateau2954]

If you dont want a .357 mag, (and it seems you don't),then dont buy one. Why the discussion?

Because I wanted to know more about shooting a 38 in a 38 vs shooting a 38 in a 357.

I wanted to learn more about 44 special in 44 mag. I wanted to learn more about the 41 mag.

I was under the assumption that forums like these are a place for like minded people to congregate and share knowledge.

I apologize if my educating myself upset you.

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[rduchateau2954]

You will end up getting all 3.

We've all been there. Get one you can get your hands on first.

Never say never right? There is just some thing about revolvers.

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[Walkalong]

Because I wanted to know more about shooting a 38 in a 38 vs shooting a 38 in a 357.

I wanted to learn more about 44 special in 44 mag. I wanted to learn more about the 41 mag.

I was under the assumption that forums like these are a place for like minded people to congregate and share knowledge.

I apologize if my educating myself upset you.

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My suggestion would be to phrase the question better to get better answers. I didn't completely understand the question/s from the original post either.

Something that has been bugging me for a while. One of the next guns on my list is a 4" revolver. I'm thinking in 38 special.

In your opinion which is better? Buy a 357 and shoot 38 or buy a 38?

I already have a 7 1/2" Ruger Super Black Hawk in 44mag so I've got my big gun fix. I also reload.

 

[RX-79G]

https://www.gunandgame.com/threads/327-fed-magnum-compared-to-357-magnum-compared-to-9mm.63073/

Because it's different and has some benefits. A perk of reloading is all the "wildcats" that would otherwise be hard to find or too expensive are now an option.

That's how I have cans and cans of 44mag ammo that would cost a small fortune to buy off the shelf.

I'll eventually have a 1911 in 38 super, just because.

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It is different, but reading the content of the link, I didn't see the benefits. It is a 9mm type load with a narrower bullet. I'd get the attraction if the velocity was very high, but I doubt the rifling is set up for light bullets and 1800fps loads.

If you were looking for weird and useful, .41 Magnum seems like a better purchase. Or a 9mm revolver.

 

[reddog81]

Even if you reload the .327 is kind of problematic. The bullet selection and availability is 1,000% better for 38 / .357. Have you even tried to find .327 brass or loaded rounds? I haven't ever checked but I'm going to guess the amount of load data out there for .327 is fairly limited. Any places that carries reloading supplies is going to have 38 special supplies.

If you were leaning towards a 38 special because .357 Magnum was too much gun I can't imagine you'd end up needing .327 for anything...

I've considered buying a .327 before, but once I started researching the subject there were just too many negatives to move forward with it.

 

[rduchateau2954]

It is different, but reading the content of the link, I didn't see the benefits. It is a 9mm type load with a narrower bullet. I'd get the attraction if the velocity was very high, but I doubt the rifling is set up for light bullets and 1800fps loads.

If you were looking for weird and useful, .41 Magnum seems like a better purchase. Or a 9mm revolver.

What makes you say the rifling wouldn't be set up? I would think a gun chambered in 327 would have the correct rifling for 327. Or did I miss something?

I looked into 41 mag a bit, iirc I can load 44spl/44mag pretty close so it doesn't make much sense.

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[rduchateau2954]

Even if you reload the .327 is kind of problematic. The bullet selection and availability is 1,000% better for 38 / .357. Have you even tried to find .327 brass or loaded rounds? I haven't ever checked but I'm going to guess the amount of load data out there for .327 is fairly limited. Any places that carries reloading supplies is going to have 38 special supplies.

If you were leaning towards a 38 special because .357 Magnum was too much gun I can't imagine you'd end up needing .327 for anything...

I've considered buying a .327 before, but once I started researching the subject there were just too many negatives to move forward with it.

It's not that 357 is too powerful, I've already got a 7 1/2" SuperBlackHawk in 44 mag. I just don't have any interest in 357, especially in a 4".

The reason I asked was there are millions of 357s and not nearly as many .38s and I wanted to know about shooting 38 out of a 357 vs shooting 38 out of a 38.

I've already got a bigger better magnum, now I'd like another revolver caliber. No .41/357/45.


Edit: 327

Brass http://www.midwayusa.com/product/941277443/starline-reloading-brass-327-federal-magnum

Bullets http://www.midwayusa.com/32-caliber-312-313/br?cid=7244

Dies http://www.midwayusa.com/product/49...d-w-long-32-h-and-r-magnum-327-federal-magnum

So they're out there, not crazy amounts of variety, but available. My Lyman 50th has load data.
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[RX-79G]

What makes you say the rifling wouldn't be set up? I would think a gun chambered in 327 would have the correct rifling for 327. Or did I miss something?

I looked into 41 mag a bit, iirc I can load 44spl/44mag pretty close so it doesn't make much sense.

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I said that .327 would be interesting if you loaded it with light bullets at really high velocities, but that the rifling is probably set up for typical loads, not super fast loads.

There have been plenty of .30 caliber hot loads for pistols and revolvers, but they never seem to catch on for American shooters. 7.62 Tok, .30 Luger, .30 Carbine Rugers, .32 H&R Mag, etc. The question is always what does a narrower bullet at handgun velocities doe better? The main answer is defeat bullet proof vests.