POI in .357--158gr full power Vs. .38 148gr WC

[Bula]

I like the idea of a full WC .38 spl. loads from my .357 mags for general woods plinking. What differences can I expect with regard to POI from my pistols sighted in for full .357 loads? I plan on pushing home cast 148 gr WC's to about 800-850 fps. I'm thinking 4 to 4.5 gr of 231 or maybe a similar load with Bullseye. Any insight would be appreciated.

 

[Steve C]

I've found there generally isn't much difference between such loading at 25 yds. The mag loads recoil more but the lighter .38's spend more time in the barrel due to lower velocity to their point of impact isn't that disparate. The only thing you can do is put some of each type on paper.

 

[Sharps Shooter]

I'm betting the .38 Special WC loads will print higher at close range (25 yards or less) than the full house .357 Mag loads. Slower bullets spend more time in the barrel of your gun. With a handgun, that generally means the barrel will be higher in its recoil arch before the slower bullets exit the muzzle. At close ranges, before you need to take into account bullet drop, that generally means slower bullets from handgun will print higher than faster bullets from the same handgun. But I'm just going on my experiences. You'll have to experiment with your own handgun and your own loads to say for sure. Still, I'm betting the slower bullets will print higher at normal handgun ranges and you'll be happy if your handgun has adjustable sights.