Porky6331
Member
I will be shooting 38 cal loads in both a 38 cal Special Smith & Wesson Model 10 and a Smith & Wesson Model 619 357. I am new to reloading and need to know if there will be a difference in to power load. Thanks
38 special & 357
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Smokey Joe
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.38 Spl and .357 Magnum
Porky6331--One of the nice things about the special-and-magnum combinations (both .38 and .44) is that the specials can be used for low-cost and low-recoil practice, in the magnums.
You load the specials the same for any application, whether intended for use in a .38 or in a .357. You could load the .38's heavier for use in the .357, but then you'd have to carefully label those heavy .38's, and NEVER use 'em in your .38 Special-chambered revolver. Also, the .38 brass is lighter, and its life will be shortened by using the heavier loads.
However (there is always that darn "however!") when using .38's in a .357, remember that there will be a ring of crud deposited in the cylinders at the .38 length, which may make chambering the longer .357's difficult unless cleaned out.
I avoid this by loading all rounds for my .357 magnum pistol, in .357 magnum cases. Most of the rounds are target rounds, for practice and for bullseye league. When I want to slip my hunting rounds into the cylinders, they slide right in.
But if you want to use just the one length of case for reloading for a .38 and a .357, obviously the .38 cases are the way to go.
Porky6331--One of the nice things about the special-and-magnum combinations (both .38 and .44) is that the specials can be used for low-cost and low-recoil practice, in the magnums.
You load the specials the same for any application, whether intended for use in a .38 or in a .357. You could load the .38's heavier for use in the .357, but then you'd have to carefully label those heavy .38's, and NEVER use 'em in your .38 Special-chambered revolver. Also, the .38 brass is lighter, and its life will be shortened by using the heavier loads.
However (there is always that darn "however!") when using .38's in a .357, remember that there will be a ring of crud deposited in the cylinders at the .38 length, which may make chambering the longer .357's difficult unless cleaned out.
I avoid this by loading all rounds for my .357 magnum pistol, in .357 magnum cases. Most of the rounds are target rounds, for practice and for bullseye league. When I want to slip my hunting rounds into the cylinders, they slide right in.
But if you want to use just the one length of case for reloading for a .38 and a .357, obviously the .38 cases are the way to go.
Porky6331
Member
Thanks for Information
I used the 38 special on the Police Department and it saved my life and I am not willing to give it up. My wife who is 10 years younger just purchased the Smith & Wesson model 619 357. I can load both 38 & 357 shells it does not matter to me. Thanks again for the information.
I used the 38 special on the Police Department and it saved my life and I am not willing to give it up. My wife who is 10 years younger just purchased the Smith & Wesson model 619 357. I can load both 38 & 357 shells it does not matter to me. Thanks again for the information.
Sunray
Member
If you shoot .38 cases in a .357 you'll get a build up of gunk in the cylinders. No big deal, but it'll have to be cleaned out before using .357 ammo.
You should work up a .38 load for each revolver. Same as you would for two rifles. It is possible, but unlikely that you'll find a load both revolvers will shoot well.
A .38 load will never bother a .357. Not the reverse, of course. Mind you, a .357 case won't fit in a .38 revolver anyway.
You should work up a .38 load for each revolver. Same as you would for two rifles. It is possible, but unlikely that you'll find a load both revolvers will shoot well.
A .38 load will never bother a .357. Not the reverse, of course. Mind you, a .357 case won't fit in a .38 revolver anyway.
Porky6331
Member
Thanks
I am just very careful about what I do. I would rather someone with experience tell me. thanks again
I am just very careful about what I do. I would rather someone with experience tell me. thanks again
db_tanker
Member
using AA#2, W231, bullseye, and trailboss I have worked up some really nice target loads for my GF's 38 spec. she got from her dad when he passed.
Her current favorite is a 148 gr WC with 3.8 gr of 231, although you can substitute Hodgdon HP-38 if you have that on hand. Just use a starting load out of a manual you have. You never can tell...your pistol might like a lighter load perhaps.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, I have a TC in 357 Mag...I keep all my 38 and 357 loads in a completely diffrent box for that one, AND I mark the bases with a marksalot, just to be on the safe side. Reason for this caution is that I generally load my 38's for the TC up to +P spec.
D
Her current favorite is a 148 gr WC with 3.8 gr of 231, although you can substitute Hodgdon HP-38 if you have that on hand. Just use a starting load out of a manual you have. You never can tell...your pistol might like a lighter load perhaps.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, I have a TC in 357 Mag...I keep all my 38 and 357 loads in a completely diffrent box for that one, AND I mark the bases with a marksalot, just to be on the safe side. Reason for this caution is that I generally load my 38's for the TC up to +P spec.
D
MCgunner
Member
I have never had a problem with .38 crud buildup. I clean the guns after every range trip. Firing one or 10 or 100 rounds of .38 ain't going to bother the chambering of the .357 unless you're shooting black powder or something. It's just that if you never clean your gun, and believe it or not I think some shooters don't, eventually there'll be build up.
I have two old standbys that are common to many shooters, 5.0 grains Unique behind a 158 grain SWC, a mild +P load that's easy to shoot. Then, I like the 148 grain wadcutter over 2.8 grains of bullseye, a very economical and accurate to the extreme load. I load a +P load with 140 grain JHPs using 2400, would have to look it up 'cause I don't load enough of them to remember the load. It puts up something around 360 ft lbs out of a 4" gun, 265 out of my 2" Taurus. That's my carry load.
Okay, I looked it up in my reloading/range notes and it's 11.5 gr 2400 with a Speer 140 JHP that's my carry load. I like that Speer bullet, very accurate in about every load I've ever tried it in. I use it in .38 +P and .357 loads and it's superb. In .357 brass I stuff 17 grains of 2400 behind it. It'll singe your eyebrows.
I have two old standbys that are common to many shooters, 5.0 grains Unique behind a 158 grain SWC, a mild +P load that's easy to shoot. Then, I like the 148 grain wadcutter over 2.8 grains of bullseye, a very economical and accurate to the extreme load. I load a +P load with 140 grain JHPs using 2400, would have to look it up 'cause I don't load enough of them to remember the load. It puts up something around 360 ft lbs out of a 4" gun, 265 out of my 2" Taurus. That's my carry load.
Okay, I looked it up in my reloading/range notes and it's 11.5 gr 2400 with a Speer 140 JHP that's my carry load. I like that Speer bullet, very accurate in about every load I've ever tried it in. I use it in .38 +P and .357 loads and it's superb. In .357 brass I stuff 17 grains of 2400 behind it. It'll singe your eyebrows.
db_tanker
Member
MCGunner,
Have you ran those 148 WC's over a chrony with your 2" Taurus?
I am curious as thats what my gal has.
D
Have you ran those 148 WC's over a chrony with your 2" Taurus?
I am curious as thats what my gal has.
D
+ 1 on no problem wth .38 in a .357.
I have shot thousands of rounds of .38 through a SP101 and a GP100 .357 revolvers with never a problem with gunk building up in the cylinder to the point of causing any problem with .357 cartridges later.
I would usually shoot a couple of hundred rounds per session, maybe 150 of .38 and then 50 of .357. I always clean the revolvers after each range session. I swab and brush the cylinder chambers the same as I do the barrel.
The .38 is a great round. I helped set both my daughters up with .38s when they left home. I think the 158 gr load is the best.
I have shot thousands of rounds of .38 through a SP101 and a GP100 .357 revolvers with never a problem with gunk building up in the cylinder to the point of causing any problem with .357 cartridges later.
I would usually shoot a couple of hundred rounds per session, maybe 150 of .38 and then 50 of .357. I always clean the revolvers after each range session. I swab and brush the cylinder chambers the same as I do the barrel.
The .38 is a great round. I helped set both my daughters up with .38s when they left home. I think the 158 gr load is the best.
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