.38 Special unknown load wadcutters in .357 Magnum revolver
- Thread starter orpington
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I inherited, among other things, a bag of 357 reloads from my dad. I shot them. Recoil varied quite a bit. I put them across a few across a chrono. Velocities were all over the place. I pulled them down and measured the powder charges (powder itself was visually fine). Charge weights were all over the place.
Tossed the powder. I still have the bullets and the primed brass in a bag somewhere. I'll get around to loading them one of these days.
Tossed the powder. I still have the bullets and the primed brass in a bag somewhere. I'll get around to loading them one of these days.
Couple of videos on YouTube on this topic, due to the current primer shortage. Bolt Action Reloading did one. He was demonstrating that it was not safe. All of the SPP that he tried in a minimum load 6.5CM had pierced primers. About halfway up the ladder with SPP magnum primers the primer was pierced. He referenced some other videos on the topic, but I didn't watch those.
John Joseph
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The collet type pullers will usually destroy lead bullets---get a kinetic one
This seems contrary to the general consensus of this thread.
Pat Riot
Contributing Member
photo from OP’s post on page 2
It’s apparent that these Wadcutter loads are made for a .357 magnum chamber. They wouldn’t fit in a .38 Spl chamber.
IF these are 148 grain wadcutter bullets they should be very easy to pull.
I didn’t see which puller you bought. If you posted it I apologize. But, I will say I recently pulled 200 .45 Colt loads with a kinetic hammer puller. That was a chore. I don’t want to do that again.
The reason I had to pull them was I made up some lighter loads for Cowboy Action. The loads were; 205 grain RNFP over 6.4 grains of Universal for a velocity of approximately 650 FPS in a 7.5” barrel. Not quite mouse fart loads, but they left lots of unburnt powder. I reloaded them to a more respectable 6.9 grains of Universal for a velocity of approx. 800 FPS. I never cared for pipsqueak loads anyway. (I only posted this because someone was bound to ask why I pulled 200 rounds)
I would definitely consider a collet puller since I believe you mentioned you have a lot of these loaded rounds.
lightman
Member
I think not shooting them is a good decision. And yes, a 38 special case can hold enough of an overcharge to damage even a 357 magnum revolver.
I see no reason not to shoot that fine old revolver. Just use ammunition that you trust.
Meh, used to think the same way the 1st 250,000+ reloads I shot. After shooting 200+ different bullets in 10+ calibers I tend to take a look at what the components are that were used to make the reload along with the quality of the components and condition of the components.
It wouldn't bother me in the least to toss 9/10 of them in a contender and run them over a chronograph.
Those bullets are a very specialized bullet. Should be a +/- 230gr type III wc designed for bowling pins. I really don't see someone chasing down those specialized bullets and then not taking the time to either find data for them or working up loads for the bullet/powder combo. Knowing what I'm looking at is 1/2 the battle. The other 1/2 is understanding what powders would work best for what that bullet was designed for. I highly doubt someone would buy a specialized bullet for bowling pins and the use AA#2, bullseye, clays, IE fast burning low velocity powders to drive them +/- 700fps.
Like I said, send them to me, I'll have fun on the bowling pin table and send you back the empties.
P5 Guy
Member
I was thinking about loading 357MAG using small rifle primers. I've seen 357 MAXIMUM loads with rifle primers, too.
OrangePwrx9
Member
I'd shoot them in my Rugers, but Smiths are too delicate.
Reloadron
Contributing Member
.38 Special unknown load wadcutters in .357 Magnum revolver
This is the old classic question involving shooting reloaded ammunition loaded by someone else and having no history on. Personally I won't shoot it but to each their own. Unknown says it all and it matters not the gun you plan to shoot the stuff in. I have seen equally S&W guns as well as Ruger guns and some Colt guns tossed in for good measure blown apart due to overloaded ammunition. The decision to shoot or not shoot ammunition hand loaded by someone else rest purely with the end user. That is true of any ammunition be it handgun, rifle or even shotgun. The key word in the above is "unknown" so we have no clue as to powder type, charge weight or really anything else. My own kids trust my loads more than I do and know when I load for them I am slightly OCD about everything. Again, to each their own.
"Now some they do and some they don't
And some you just can't tell
And some they will and some they won't
With some it's just as well".
Ron
This is the old classic question involving shooting reloaded ammunition loaded by someone else and having no history on. Personally I won't shoot it but to each their own. Unknown says it all and it matters not the gun you plan to shoot the stuff in. I have seen equally S&W guns as well as Ruger guns and some Colt guns tossed in for good measure blown apart due to overloaded ammunition. The decision to shoot or not shoot ammunition hand loaded by someone else rest purely with the end user. That is true of any ammunition be it handgun, rifle or even shotgun. The key word in the above is "unknown" so we have no clue as to powder type, charge weight or really anything else. My own kids trust my loads more than I do and know when I load for them I am slightly OCD about everything. Again, to each their own.
"Now some they do and some they don't
And some you just can't tell
And some they will and some they won't
With some it's just as well".
Ron
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