I was thinking today while handloading for my .357. I was pondering about loading .38 cases with mag loads, and seating the bullets out to .357 OAL. I know it can be done, i was just wondering what precaustions and any suggestions about it. Right now, they only bullets and powder i have on hand is Sierra 158 JSP, Sierra 180 JSP, 158 LRN, Win231 and AA#5. As soon as i git some money, i'm gitting some 2400 and more Sierra's, my Python loves them.

cyberhick

Not a good idea you well in crease the pressure. Also you might get someone to put it in their .38. Stick with the mag cases for the mag loads.

cyberhick,

My biggest concern here would be the brass. The 357 IS the highest pressure of the original magnums and i do not know if the Special brass can handle it.

My $.02,

mike

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NRA Life Member

United States of America, Love it or LEAVE IT!

I seriously doubt that the 38 special cases can handle magnum loads without problems. You're asking for trouble. Use the magnum cases for magnum loads.

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"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
- Benjamin Franklin, Historical Review of Pennsylvania, 1759.

cyberhick,

I want to answer you with figures

In a .38 Spe case 17000 Cup (in average) is max as pressure 125 gr bullet at 1019 fps with 5.2 Universal

In a .38 Spe+(P) case 19500 Cup (in average) is max as pressure 125 gr bullet at 1138 fps with 5.4 Universal

In a .357 Mag case 42500 Cup (in average) is max as pressure 125 gr bullet at 1839 fps with 20 H4227

I hope it is clear for you egarding case pressure and revolver pressure.

:
I was thinking today while handloading for my .357. I was pondering about loading .38 cases with mag loads, and seating the bullets out to .357 OAL. I know it can be done, i was just wondering what precaustions and any suggestions about it. Right now, they only bullets and powder i have on hand is Sierra 158 JSP, Sierra 180 JSP, 158 LRN, Win231 and AA#5. As soon as i git some money, i'm gitting some 2400 and more Sierra's, my Python loves them.

cyberhick[/QUOTE]

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BER007
Keep the faith in any circumstances
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BBER007@HOTMAIL.COM

Loading 38 Special brass to 357 Magnum ballistics is a real bad idea. In addition to the potential for chambering one of these short Magnums in a 38, you will not be able to adequately crimp those rounds. The crimping cannelure will be too far forward of the case mouth, poorly crimped Magnum rounds invite the bullets to pull forward under recoil and bind the cylinder.

Skeeter Skelton used to load the Lyman #358156 gas check bullet in once fired .38 cases. This bullet has two crimping grooves and he seated the bullet out to the second groove to increase powder space.

He used a reduced charge of Hercules 2400 to make a poor man's .357. He used this load ONLY in strong revolvers specifically chambered for the .357 Magnum. I had originally posted the charge weight here but thought better of if because a round so loaded could probably chamber in a .38 Special revolver, and it's almost a given that someone reading this would do so.

The ONLY reason he used these loads was that he could pick up barrels of once fired .38 brass on the Border Patrol pistol range for free.

Other than the above SPECIFIC bullet crimped in the second groove used by a poorly paid lawman in the early Fifties, I see no sane reason to try to put up .357 Magnum level loads in .38 Special cases.

Just not a good idea.

[This message has been edited by Jim in Idaho (edited 02-12-2002).]