Light 357 or 38+p

[Smaug]

Dave,

Any of these loads would be used in a 357 revolver so even a stout +p should be OK. I was mainly curious if people felt there was any reason to favor a light 357 load or a 38+p load.

I know I prefer loading full length 44 magnum shells rather than using 44 special shells in my Redhawk. I always wound up with burnt powder residue in the front of my chambers with 44 special brass. I suppose the same issue would come into play with 357 vs 38 special brass.

+1 to this. ALWAYS use .357 brass, and tailor the load to your liking.

 

[J-Bar]

Cleaning chambers:

Cowboy action shooters burn lots of .38 Specials in .357 chambers. This chamber scraper attaches to a cleaning rod and makes quick work of removing chamber rings:


http://www.longhunt.com/storelh/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=320

 

[Bill_in_TR]

Cleaning chambers:

Cowboy action shooters burn lots of .38 Specials in .357 chambers. This chamber scraper attaches to a cleaning rod and makes quick work of removing chamber rings:


http://www.longhunt.com/storelh/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=320

Thanks for the link. Interesting product. It seems a bit pricey but it seems everything is these days.

 

[Riomouse911]

For me, 6.2 gr Unique under a 158 gr swc in a .357 case is fun to shoot all day.

Just enough bump to know you’re shooting a “magnum” without all the boom, flash and kick to make you want to stop shooting after a few.

Stay safe.

 

[buck460XVR]

Thanks for the link. Interesting product. It seems a bit pricey but it seems everything is these days.

I'm gonna guess there are taxes and shipping charges too. Regular brass brush in a cordless drill, or an empty case with a slight flare works well too.

 

[Bill_in_TR]

I'm gonna guess there are taxes and shipping charges too. Regular brass brush in a cordless drill, or an empty case with a slight flare works well too.

Yeah, that's my thinking too. I'm going to load up some light 357 loads in magnum brass this weekend so I won't have to worry about it. I have a few hundred magnum brass on hand. Wish I had more. I have thousands of 38 brass.

The powder I have the most of is W231 so I'll do some searching for loads that might give a little +p performance. Maybe not the best powder for it but it is what I have. I do have some H110 and a little 2400 so I'll make up a few light loads with them.

 

[buck460XVR]

I do have some H110 and a little 2400 so I'll make up a few light loads with them.

I'd be real hesitant about light loads with H110. Stick with your W231.

 

[Bill_in_TR]

I'd be real hesitant about light loads with H110. Stick with your W231.

Thanks for the reminder about light loading H110. If I use it I will stay mid range between minimum and max loads.

I have some Tite Group as well but that has always seemed to be a dirty burning powder. Maybe I'll take a ride to the LGS today and see what they have in stock. I'd love to get some more 2400.

 

[BobWright]

It is my understanding that "light loads" in the .357 Magnum equal +P .38 Special rounds. I don't know of any factory light .357 rounds.

The +P .38 Special has the advantage of more positive extraction when fired in short barreled revolvers which have a reduced extractor throw. My preference when carrying a S&W Model 19 snubbie was to load it with Federal 158 gr. SWCHP of the NyClad design. These were soft "jacketed" bullets with a nylon "jacket." As I recall, the nearest bullet to that was the Speer half-jacket hollow points.

Bob Wright

 

[BobWright]

As to the handloading of .38 Special, I have found Hodgdon HP-38, Winchester 231 and Winchester 244 to be top notch handgun powders.

Bob Wright

 

[Bill_in_TR]

As to the handloading of .38 Special, I have found Hodgdon HP-38, Winchester 231 and Winchester 244 to be top notch handgun powders.

Bob Wright

Well I have plenty of 231 (over 5 pounds). And I just got back from the LGS where I picked up 2 pounds of 2400 so I should be able to put some 357 loads together.

 

[SDGlock23]

Personally if I wanted less recoil I would download the 357 Mag or buy some of the lower recoil 357 Mag options, they're out there. For me it also helps to just have 357 Mag brass instead of both it and 38 Special.

 

[gwpercle]

I use 6 grains Unique in a .38 Special case with a 150 grain 358477 for around 1050 fps from my 4" S&W 686 over my old Chrony.
Sometimes 6.5 grains Unique in a .357 Mag case with the same bullet for around 1086 fps, same revolver and chrony.
I like both loads.
I never have a carbon ring problem but I clean after every shooting session. Brass brush or a patch of chore boy on a worn brush.
Over the years I've tried about every carbon cleaner I could find, everything works but nothing worked better than WD-40.
Rex

Thanks for posting the velocities of these loads ... been favorite loads in a Ruger Blackhawk for about 45 years , never owned a chrno or had a chance to test them . Velocity is about what I was "guesstimating "!
#358477 was the very first mould I bought for reloading 38/357 in 1971 ... a single cavity ... slow production but a good bullet and I still have it ... need to cast up a supply ...
Again ...Thanks for posting ,
Gary

 

[NeroM]

General purpose 357 mid-range load........
Missouri bullet makes a .358 bullet they call Pugnose, 180 gr, coated and non coated.
my batch runs approx 187 gr and use the coated ones over approx 10.2 gr Alliant 2400,
also use CCI550 primers - i know magnum primers are not needed - what I had when I worked up the load.
Get approx 1080 fps; easy on gun, bullets penetrate well and leave a good size hole, accurate and shoots pretty close to point of aim in my SAAs and cycles fine in Marlin and Win lever guns - long case life.

 

[AJC1]

General purpose 357 mid-range load........
Missouri bullet makes a .358 bullet they call Pugnose, 180 gr, coated and non coated.
my batch runs approx 187 gr and use the coated ones over approx 10.2 gr Alliant 2400,
also use CCI550 primers - i know magnum primers are not needed - what I had when I worked up the load.
Get approx 1080 fps; easy on gun, bullets penetrate well and leave a good size hole, accurate and shoots pretty close to point of aim in my SAAs and cycles fine in Marlin and Win lever guns - long case life.

I would bet that load matches my 180 in a 38 case loaded with 9 grains of 2400 or #9. 20k ish and fun.

 

[N555]

I'd be real hesitant about light loads with H110. Stick with your W231.

Yeah don't light load with H110. H110 is good with a 2/3 full case when the bullet is seated, great with a full case and excellent when compressed.