38spl loads in a 357mag case?

[Wildbillz]

Hi All
I was just reading something were a fellla was asking about shooting 38spl out of a 357mag pistol. I thought to my self, why not just load 357mag cases using 38spl info.

Then I thought, I wonder if there is any danger in doing that?

So is there any danger in loading 357mag cases using 38spl load data?

Thanks
WB

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

I've loaded a lot of .38+P data loads in .357 cases for my gp100 with fine results. 'plinking/target' rounds.
any .38spcl or +P cases I came across go to a loader of those cases for specific guns.

 

[Shoot&Ski]

No, not as far as I know. This is in effect what I am doing with my target loads. If you check your load manual, there is often times an overlap between the maximum load for .38 special (especially if you look at .38 special +p loads) and the minimum load for .357 magnum. In fact, the load I shoot from .38 special brass with 125 grain lead bullets is 4.6 grains of HP-38. If you check Hodgdon's own load info, the starting load for .357 mag with a 125 gain bullet is 4.6 grains of Hp-38. I wouldn't shoot starting loads for .38 special from .357 brass though as you will probably get inconsistent burn and position sensitivity due to the extra space in the brass especially with a powder like HP-38. Check your load books and you should be fine.
Just don't reverse this and use .357 loads in .38 special brass!

 

[kelbro]

Several of my best 38 loads shoot exactly the same in 357 brass.

 

[Walkalong]

I load .38 Spl loads in .357 brass all the time. Everything from light .38 target loads to +P .38 Loads, and of course, on up from there.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

IMO there is no danger at all using .38 Special data in a .357 Magnum case. Depending upon which powder you're using you might have to use the Max charge recommended for the .38 Special because of the larger case of the .357 Magnum but other than that there's no problems I can think of.

My favorite .38 Special load is a 158gr LSWC over 4.0gr W231. I have loaded the same exact load in .357 Magnum brass just because... From what I can tell there was no difference in both although I didn't run them over a Chrono. I'll have to do that some day just for the information.

 

[ralph2]

You need to add just a little more powder in 357 brass to get the same velocity you would get out of 38 special brass. With the fast powders I use .1 or .2 grains more.

 

[Mr_Rich]

I load .44 Special loads in .44 Magnum cases with HP-38 if that's any help. I haven't had any issues. Now I'm going to be loading .38s but I have a .38 revolver not a .357.

Rich