using 357 brass for light target loads

[flexible]

Hi, flexible here; for years I've been loading .38 Special for my brother. He's recently moved and he took his guns and the .38 Special brass with him.
I don't own a revolver but will be buying a .38/357 revolver fairly soon.
He left hundreds of used .357 brass and I'll be using that for shooting and will still have my Dillon 550 with the necessary dies.
Just a few questions:
1. I assume I just readjust the .38 dies for the longer brass.
2. I have a LOT of Bullseye, does anyone have a favorite, light target load?
3. Bullets, I used to use the Speer 148 grain cast wadcutters. Should i still use those or does anyone have another favorite?
thanks

 

[dannyd]

The difference in the cases is 1/10 of an inch. I have been using 38 special loads in 357 cases for almost 40 years. The bullseye and Speer bullets will work just fine.

 

[Typetwelve]

Not sure what your definition of "light" is, but all I run through my Python is 357 rounds...but on the lighter side.

First off, it really loves RMR's 125g projectiles coupled to Win 244. I messed around with all kinds of powders....but it seems to like that best, and W244 is a cheaper powder to run. Bullseye tends to really heat up my revolvers, be it in 357 or 38 spcl rounds.

 

[Highland Lofts]

I buy bulk target bullets from Everglades Ammo. I also bought a big tub of Bullyeye powder. I shoot 158 grain plated or FMJ bullets for plinking with the 38spl and 357 mag.
i run them about 800 fet per second

My grandson competes in Cowboy Asction Shooting, i buy lead cast bullets for that.
He uses 38spl for both of the 357mag rebolvers and in the 367 Marlin Lever Actions.

Look at your manuals to find a moderate load for the caliber and bullseue powder.

If you shoot a lot of 38spl in a 357mag revolver you will build up a carbon ring in the cylinder and will have to be delt with down the road if you want to feed it 357mag.

What are kind of revolver will you be looking for? I have a few I will be selling off.

 

[Y-T71]

5.5 gr Win 231 in a mag case under a home cast 158 gr swc is a fantastic "all day at the range" load.

 

[.308 Norma]

3. Bullets, I used to use the Speer 148 grain cast wadcutters.

Those are probably swagged, not cast, aren't they?
Whatever. They'll work for "light" .357 loads. I prefer cast, 158gr to 170gr cast SWCs for my own light-medium 38 Special and .357 Mag loads, but that's just me. As far as using .357 Mag cases for .38 Special loads goes though - I've been doing that since sometime in the late '70s. That's how I got started in my handloading hobby/obsession.

 

[Anchorite]

I shoot 38 level loads in 357 brass all the time in my revolvers and I’ve been shooting for almost 45 years now.
Bullseye is a great powder for target loads. I think you’ll be fine.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I like bullseye too for target loads. I think my load is 3.3 grains with a 158 grain cast bullet.

 

[argonn]

158g LSWC, and Bullseye is a great combination, cuts a clean hole.

 

[.38 Special]

The classic .38 load of 2.7/2.8 grains of Bullseye behind a 147 HBWC is essentially duplicated, in the .357 case, with 3.1 grains.

You will need to adjust your seating and crimp die. It is possible to purchase a spacer which theoretically allows a fellow to get away without making any other adjustments, but I find that it's usually not quite right. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012453382

I prefer Hornady's swaged HBWC over Speer's, but the Speers will certainly work!

 

[Walkalong]

Yep, just adjust the dies for the longer Mag cases, might need another tenth or two of powder. I shoot light target loads in .357 Mag brass all the time, I never use .38 Spl cases in .357 Mag revolvers, not that there is anything wrong with that, there isn't.

 

[Charlie98]

I shoot light target loads in .357 Mag brass all the time, I never use .38 Spl cases in .357 Mag revolvers

+1

 

[Up North]

When I started reloading I only had 1 gun a 357
That 3.1 gr. Wadcutter load is a good one. If you get some 158 swc try 3.5 gr bullseye

 

[gwpercle]

1. Correct ... simply re-adjust your 38 Special dies to load the longer 357 Magnum case .
Re-Adjust all dies as required ... seating , crimping , neck expanding , sizing ... check everything .

2. Bullseye is hard to beat ... a 148 gr. cast wadcutter with 2.7 grs. - 3.2 grs. Bullseye .
My pet load , in a 357 magnum case : 148 gr. cast WC with 3.0 grs. Bullseye @ 700 fps .

3. My favorite bullet is the cast lead 148 gr. solid base wadcutter , with the button nose and a crimp groove at the top . The cast wc's are easier to seat than the hollow based wc's and probably easier to buy now days ...
Cast and coated are great . I like to put a light roll crimp into the top crimp groove of these bullets for best accuracy .
Good Luck and Load Safe ,
Gary

 

[DMW1116]

I had some W231 and CFE Pistol so I used Hodgdens load data for 357 Magnum and 148 grain HBWC. Those two powders were basically interchangeable as far as accuracy is concerned at the listed minimum loads. Titegroup works as well but I only had a small sample to try. The proposed loads of Bullseye slightly increased a bit for the larger case should be quite good as well.

If you can find any, Cleanshot works too, though I use it with solid Double End Wadcutters. I use the Shooters World minimum of 2.7 grains in 38 Special cases, and would start at 3.2 grains in a 357 Mag case and work down to be sure the bullets cleared the barrel.

 

[blackd24]

I’ve seen folks suggest using 38 special data and increasing the powder charge 10% for the 357 case. I’ve never done it, but you could always just use 38 special data and work up a little bit. You may like the 38 special data in 357 case, but it will be less velocity all other things equal.

 

[dfish1247]

Make sure the sizing die will accept the extra 1/10” 357 case. Beyond that, have at it.

I‘d suggest trimming after sizing so your crimp is even. I’d only use 75-100 pieces at a time until they are dead(load, shoot, repeat.) Then put another batch in service. What you want to do, they’ll last darn near forever.

 

[Walkalong]

I’d only use 75-100 pieces at a time until they are dead(load, shoot, repeat.) Then put another batch in service. What you want to do, they’ll last darn near forever.

I did like around 700/800 or so, divided into two batches, one batch is being shot while the other has been tumbled and awaiting its turn, I go back and forth between batches. Same for .38 Spl. It took some time hand trimming them all, but I would do 50 or 100 every few days until I was done. Before that I was doing more like you, using a small batch for both calibers. Shoot load shoot load......and yes, unless you hot rod the .357 cases, the brass lasts a veeeeeeery long time.

 

[LV Gun]

My favorite 148 grain LHBWC bullet I get from Precision Delta I have tried others but prefer there’s very much . Extremely accurate I just load them flush with a light roll crimp I just did get a 38/357 taper crimp die to see if it works any better. I am currently using Ram Shot Competition and Titegroup for powders and just standard primers.

 

[dannyd]

How to load Speer HBWC for 357 magnum.

 

[argonn]

I notice they show using Small Pistol standard and mag primers.

 

[dannyd]

I notice they show using Small Pistol standard and mag primers.

When they tested the loads, what primer they used depended on the powder.

 

[dannyd]

The strange thing is, at the time this manual was written 231 and HP38 were the same powders, but call for different charges and primers.

 

[PO2Hammer]

If you’re buying bullets, I like plated DEWCs in magnum brass. See Walkalong’s pics in the other thread.
Bullseye, W231, WST, Clays are all good.
Nothing wrong with.38 brass, I just prefer not having to readjust the dies between light and mag loads.

 

[Varminterror]

I’ve seen folks suggest using 38 special data and increasing the powder charge 10% for the 357 case.

I was taught to do this over 30yrs ago by grey top fellas who weren’t the ones who came up with the idea. Doing so roughly produces similar pressure in the larger case, so we know we aren’t increasing risk of stalling a bullet in the bore, getting to relatively similar velocity.

Using 38spcl data in 357mag cases directly, without scaling for volume, reduces pressure and velocity, and at the lowest of loads can cause squibs.