.38 spec. / .357 question

[Repubiman]

Hey guys this might be a stupid question as I'm new to reloading somewhat.
With that, can I reload .357 bullets in .38 special brass? Can't find anything in the
search function about that. Would it be dangerous to try ?

I was just thinking that since they are so close that I might be able to do that.
I have a 4" Ruger GP100 that I can shoot both in. Please advise. If not, I will just
reload my .357 brass that I was saving for personal defense rounds once I shoot it up.
but all i have right now is a lot of .38 special brass.

 

[Dukester]

They are exactly the same.

 

[Repubiman]

Sweet! That will save me a lot of $$$$ !! Thanks Dukester.

 

[Dukester]

Sweet! That will save me a lot of $$$$ !! Thanks Dukester.

No probe. I reload them too. The weight does make a difference to your load, though.

 

[willystruck]

Use .38 spec load data with whatever .357 dia bullet you are using.

 

[Repubiman]

Got it. Don't use .357 load data for a .38 special brass. Use the .38 special load data. If I'm
Reading y'all right. Thanks guys! So even though it's a .357 bullet, use the .38 special data.

 

[Dukester]

Got it. Don't use .357 load data for a .38 special brass. Use the .38 special load data. If I'm
Reading y'all right. Thanks guys! So even though it's a .357 bullet, use the .38 special data.

That's about it

 

[swampratt]

You CAN use 357 magnum loads in 38 brass.
But do not shoot that load in your 38 special gun,,,You can shoot it in your 357 gun.
Elmer Keith loads.


Favorite loads for the Model 19 are easy to come up with. First there is the old standby, Elmer Keith's Original heavy .38 special load of his 173 grain SWC over 13.5 grains of #2400 in .38 special cases. This load gives 1250 fps in my 4" Combat Magnum. For full house loads, I go to 15.0 grains of #2400 with Lyman's excellent gas check bullet, Ray Thompson designed #358156GC. This favorite bullet goes 1409 from the 4" 19. written by John Taffin

38 SPECIAL: For use in heavy-framed guns which today exist only as .357 Magnums, the Keith Lyman 173 grain bullet #358429 over 13.5 grains of #2400 with .38 Special brass. This load goes over 1400 fps. from my 8 3/8" Model 27 and is the most accurate load I have found for it. It will still go 1200+ fps. from a 3 1/2" Model 27 and makes an excellent small game load and defensive load. John Taffin from the Sixguns and Loads of Elmer Keith.

173 gr KT 13.5 grs of 2400Original 38/44 Heavy Duty 38 Special load, loaded using 38 Special +P brass. This load should ONLY be used in 357 Magnums even though it uses a 38 Special case. Using the Dry Creek Bullets 173gr LSWC in 38 Special cases this round works great in my GP100 and M27 and is very accurate-From load data on handloads.com. load submitted by JohnK

NOw Elmer Keith was born in 1899
His guns and brass and powder were much different than what we have today.
Always work up and use caution.
I have some old 2400 powder in a steel can along with some new 2400 in plastic.
I have shot some in my 30-30 with cast loads.

The new powder burns completely no remaining sticks,,The same load of the old powder will leave behind small pieces of powder..NOT completely burning up.

I can make that happen with the new powder if i reduce the load...
Use your thinking caps.

 

[mtnboomer]

Yes, bullets for the .38 Special and .357 Magnum are both .357" diameter.

Be carefull, however, when buying bullets (especially ones that don't have the actual size printed on the label) as there are other calibers that are very near the ame size. the 9mm/.380 auto are .355" diameter and the .38 acp/.38 Super are .356" diameter. While these bullets are ALMOST the right size - they will cause numerous loading and accuracy problems.

BTW, if you load cast bullets, you must remember that cast/swaged lead bullets are usually always sized .001" larger than jacketed bullets. So cast/swaged lead bullets for .38/.357 loading will be .358" diameter.

 

[Dukester]

You CAN use 357 magnum loads in 38 brass.
But do not shoot that load in your 38 special gun,,,You can shoot it in your 357 gun.
Elmer Keith loads.


Favorite loads for the Model 19 are easy to come up with. First there is the old standby, Elmer Keith's Original heavy .38 special load of his 173 grain SWC over 13.5 grains of #2400 in .38 special cases. This load gives 1250 fps in my 4" Combat Magnum. For full house loads, I go to 15.0 grains of #2400 with Lyman's excellent gas check bullet, Ray Thompson designed #358156GC. This favorite bullet goes 1409 from the 4" 19. written by John Taffin

38 SPECIAL: For use in heavy-framed guns which today exist only as .357 Magnums, the Keith Lyman 173 grain bullet #358429 over 13.5 grains of #2400 with .38 Special brass. This load goes over 1400 fps. from my 8 3/8" Model 27 and is the most accurate load I have found for it. It will still go 1200+ fps. from a 3 1/2" Model 27 and makes an excellent small game load and defensive load. John Taffin from the Sixguns and Loads of Elmer Keith.

173 gr KT 13.5 grs of 2400Original 38/44 Heavy Duty 38 Special load, loaded using 38 Special +P brass. This load should ONLY be used in 357 Magnums even though it uses a 38 Special case. Using the Dry Creek Bullets 173gr LSWC in 38 Special cases this round works great in my GP100 and M27 and is very accurate-From load data on handloads.com. load submitted by JohnK

NOw Elmer Keith was born in 1899
His guns and brass and powder were much different than what we have today.
Always work up and use caution.
I have some old 2400 powder in a steel can along with some new 2400 in plastic.
I have shot some in my 30-30 with cast loads.

The new powder burns completely no remaining sticks,,The same load of the old powder will leave behind small pieces of powder..NOT completely burning up.

I can make that happen with the new powder if i reduce the load...
Use your thinking caps.

I read that putting 357 loads in 38 brass results in crazy high pressure s and is dangerous.