Any problems with loading .38 spc loads into .357 mag cases?

[Lead Waster]

For the purposes of better feeding in a Rossi 92, I'd prefer to load .357 cases with downloaded .38 spc powder loads. Is this a problem or would there be too much extra air-space in the case?

I've done it with Trail Boss, but that's a super fluffy cowboy action powder.

I'm thinking with WSF or Win231 powder.

THanks!

[Revoman]

It should not be an issue, although I have heard (not verified) that you should add 1/10 of a grain extra to compensate for the case capacity.

[Pauliedad]

Another plus here is the .38 ring you wont have to clean through when you do shoot .357.

I'd be doing this all day long but I have like a 100 to 1 ratio of .38 and .357 brass.

[rm1911]

Any 38 load as is will work great in 357 cases.

[Lead Waster]

Awesome! Thanks guys!

[JMP]

For the purposes of better feeding in a Rossi 92, I'd prefer to load .357 cases with downloaded .38 spc powder loads. Is this a problem or would there be too much extra air-space in the case?

I've done it with Trail Boss, but that's a super fluffy cowboy action powder.

I'm thinking with WSF or Win231 powder.

THanks!

In terms of a functionality issue, you would have no problems so long as you used enough powder to get the projectile through the end of the barrel. However, as with anything, it depends on the accuracy that you desire. With rifles, you always need to tune the load a bit to find the greatest accuracy. Cases tent to do best when they reach a certain capacity. However, a straight-walled case such as the revolvers will be less finicky than a bottle necked rifle cartridge. You will probably attain the most accuracy with a slower burning magnum powder as with rifles, the burn continues while the projectile is moving down the bore, which is different from the double chamber of these cartridges used in revolvers.

[357magnum]

I have been loading 38 spl. loads in 357 mag cases for years now, no problems.
I also use Magnum primers.
My favorite load = 357 mag case, magnum primer, Hornady 125gr XTP with 5.0gr of Win 231.
Shoots great in a revolver and rifle.

[orangeusa]

I have been loading 38 spl. loads in 357 mag cases for years now, no problems.
I also use Magnum primers.
My favorite load = 357 mag case, magnum primer, Hornady 125gr XTP with 5.0gr of Win 231.
Shoots great in a revolver and rifle.

I wish I could do the opposite. Tons of 38 brass and a handful of .357.

.

[stilly]

For the purposes of better feeding in a Rossi 92, I'd prefer to load .357 cases with downloaded .38 spc powder loads. Is this a problem or would there be too much extra air-space in the case?

I've done it with Trail Boss, but that's a super fluffy cowboy action powder.

I'm thinking with WSF or Win231 powder.

THanks!

Really? My Rossi - OH, you said 92, Not a Ranch Hand.

I was gonna say, my Rossi likes the 44 special it seems. Heh...

[Lead Waster]

LOL Rossi Ranch Hand = chopped Rossi 92.

I've just heard it was more reliable with .357 cases.

[Cowboy T]

LOL Rossi Ranch Hand = chopped Rossi 92.

I've just heard it was more reliable with .357 cases.

My Rossi 92 seems to like both .38 Spl and .357M cases just fine. I've never had a failure to feed in either that wasn't caused by a too-fat cast boolit, and the boolit sizing die fixed that problem. Heck, my 92 even feeds full wadcutter .38 Spl just fine.

That said, some others have reported some issues with that in the past, due to earlier QC issues (mine is a fairly new vintage).

@OrangeUSA, what you're talking about is the original .38-44 HV load that Elmer developed way back in the day. I used to do exactly what you're talking about back in 2009 when .357M brass was made of Unobtainium. Marking the loads well and using a totally different style of projectile for these "38-44" loads than for the book .38 Spl's is essential, in my view, for easy and clear load identification. But yes, of course it can be done.

Regarding the Infamous Ring O'Carbon (IROC--hey, good name for a Camaro trim level, too!), just clean your gun like you're supposed to be doing anyway, and the IROC (TM) will not be an issue. Hoppe's #9 and a brush work wonders on those carbon rings.

[CSACANNONEER]

Really? My Rossi - OH, you said 92, Not a Ranch Hand.

I was gonna say, my Rossi likes the 44 special it seems. Heh...

Mine likes .45LC.

[iMigraine]

Well, I loaded some light loads in 357 Mag using 38 Special load data.

The Lyman cast bullet handbook 4th ed, for 38 Special says, "Lee #358-105-SWC using Titegroup starting grains 3.4, Max 4.3.

If I load this powder but use 3.7 grains in a 357 Mag case would it actually work? Don't expect accuracy but I don't want my boolits stuck in my sister's 357 barrel!

Should I start pulling them apart and start over?

[Cowboy T]

Yeah, that should be OK, even out of the rifle. What I'd do if I were you is try your load at the range, with that rifle, and see how it goes. Make sure to bring an appropriate-diameter wooden or brass rod with you, just in case. But with 3.7gr of powder, I don't foresee any problems whatsoever. Now, dip below 3.0, I might wonder, but 3.7 should be fine.

Personally, I prefer 3.9 to 4.2gr of either Titegroup or Bullseye, both of which I find to be very easy shooting. The reason is that groups tightened up noticeably when I hit 3.9gr. I call this my "powder-puff" load, and it really is that. I had an 8-year-old boy shooting this load out of my Security-Six, and he loved it. I also shoot this load in my Rossi 92 (16" bbl), and it works great. Feels almost like .22LR.

By the way, the max is well above 4.3gr; you can safely do 4.8gr with that bullet even in .38 Spl cases. That 4.3 max looks like a lawyer load to me.

Justification: Lyman's 49th Edition, page 353, lists a non-"+P" max of 4.8gr of Titegroup with a 110gr jacketed bullet. The +P max load is 5.4gr with that same 110gr jacketed bullet.

[sghart]

I have never used Titegroup but I routinely load a 158 gr LSWC over 2.8 gr of Bullseye in .357 mag cases for my Marlin 1894CS. I (we) shoot boxes and boxes of this load. We being my grandkids and I. It has replaced the hard to find 22LR for range fun.


YMMV