.38sp Accuracy

[gazpacho]

Has anyone experienced a difference in accuracy while shooting .38 Special from both a .38 Special handgun AND a .357 Magnum handgun of similar dimensions? An example would be comparing the accuracy of .38 Special fired from both a S&W Model 64 and Model 65. How about snubbies?

 

[Majic]

Accuracy difference will be slight, and as every revolver is an individual that difference is probably made up between the two different guns.
The same would apply to snubbies, but you have to take into account a snubby is more difficult to shoot accurately than a longer tubed revolver.

 

[RON in PA]

What Majic said.

As to velocity a 38 shot in a 357 loses approx. 25 fps.

 

[fecmech]

"As to velocity a 38 shot in a 357 loses approx. 25 fps."

Ron-- Depends on the guns. My Ruger .357 gp100 6" is about 40 fps faster than my K-38 6" with the 3, .38 spl loads that I shoot. Not quite as accurate but very close. Nick

 

[Old Fuff]

In theory a .38 Special cartridge will be more accurate if it is fired from a .38 chamber because the base can expand in the longer .357 Magnum chamber. In practice it depends on the particular kind of bullet and powder charge. In most cases the shooter isn't good enough to tell the difference, but each revolver is a law onto itself.

 

[MikeIsaj]

I had the opportunity to compare this several weeks ago. I fired .38 spec. from a S&W .38 police special and my Colt Trooper .357. I think I did slightly better with my .357 but, that was probably because it was my gun.

I do have a question, why the difference in velocity from .38 to .357 weapons?

 

[P95Carry]

Mike - difference in velocity? I put this down to the (small) - 1/10" ''freebore'' effect in the .357 cylinder chamber.

There is a finite distance travelled by the bullet from 38 spl loading in .357 cyl. Not far I grant you but enough to achieve some small loss - then bullet engages throat and thence to forcing cone etc. Enough to let pressures already start to fall more.

Overall tho I'd hardly be concerned - seeing as consistency is what things are all about. In all my years of compo' shooting thru my 686, I used home load target loads - and had great results.

 

[c_yeager]

Ron-- Depends on the guns. My Ruger .357 gp100 6" is about 40 fps faster than my K-38 6" with the 3, .38 spl loads that I shoot. Not quite as accurate but very close. Nick

I have noticed that Rugers have a smaller cylinder gap than Smiths do. This would have a greater impact on velocity than the minor difference between .38 and .357 cylinders. I bet if you measured them the Ruger would be a few thousands tighter than the Smith.

 

[gazpacho]

Thanks for the replies, all. They help in deciding HD, SD, CCW choices. Both the wife and I carry. Because of that, I limit my CCW choices to what she can tolerate/is comfortable with. We essentially carry the same types of weapons so that we are both fully qualified with each other's weapons. She has settled on the Gold Dot 124gr +P .38 Special. I wanted to widen the selection of available revolvers to include .357 models, but was worried about potential loss of accuracy. Velocity loss was less of a concern, but I'm glad to hear the difference is very little.