.38 Loads in .357 Brass....

[5hundo]

I'm loading up some home defense loads for my girlfriend and I want to try to adjust the power of the charge so that it's controllable for her, yet has good muzzle velocity and decent energy.

I chose a 125gr JHP from hornady because it's lighter and would stand to have some speed behind it. I was going to use unique, starting around 5.0gr and working up from there to about 7.0 - 8.0gr maximum...

I'm wondering if there is any risk of detonation using .357 casings for what will be .38 special loads. This might be a stupid question, but better safe than sorry...

...any input would be much appreciated.

[Spyduh]

I'm loading up some home defense loads for my girlfriend and I want to try to adjust the power of the charge so that it's controllable for her, yet has good muzzle velocity and decent energy.

I chose a 125gr JHP from hornady because it's lighter and would stand to have some speed behind it. I was going to use unique, starting around 5.0gr and working up from there to about 7.0 - 8.0gr maximum...

I'm wondering if there is any risk of detonation using .357 casings for what will be .38 special loads. This might be a stupid question, but better safe than sorry...

...any input would be much appreciated.

There's a bigger issue at hand than just blowing up.

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=337983

[5hundo]

Well, these rounds are going through a revolver and are therefore, not dinged up or damaged. I honestly don't see that the thread you've alluded to would apply in regards to failures with auto-loaders...

On the issue of safety and reliability, I'm not concerned. I load off of a single stage press and I individually measure my powder charges. My issue is that none of the "off the shelf" ammo meets our needs. The .38 Special rounds are pretty weak, the +P rounds seem to be too heavy and the .357 rounds are way too much for her. I need something in between a +P and a Magnum and there's currently nothing out there that we like...

[Beelzy]

Use lead bullets. (LSWC).

Pressures are unpredictable with the bullet you are considering. I had a hard
time getting that combo to work. YMMV

[J-cat]

There's a bigger issue at hand than just blowing up.
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/...d.php?t=337983

It's a non-issue unless your GF is suicidal...

[Harbinger]

You can mitigate the 'too little powder volume' situation by switching to TrailBoss powder. It literally fills a .38 case for a 'medium' load and will do a good job filling .357, as well, while still maintaining lower pressure and projectile velocity.

The powder itself looks like little puffy donuts. It was specifically designed for cases that were originally filled to the brim with black powder.

http://www.gunblast.com/IMR_TrailBoss.htm

Mike

[Spyduh]

It's a non-issue unless your GF is suicidal...

Does no one read?

The issue is of legality and lawsuits if you shot an intruder with home made reloads.

Stick with factory defense rounds. It will save you a bunch of lawyer money.

[buffybuster]

You can mitigate the 'too little powder volume' situation by switching to TrailBoss powder. It literally fills a .38 case for a 'medium' load and will do a good job filling .357, as well, while still maintaining lower pressure and projectile velocity.

The powder itself looks like little puffy donuts. It was specifically designed for cases that were originally filled to the brim with black powder.

http://www.gunblast.com/IMR_TrailBoss.htm

Mike

TRAILBOSS is an excellent powder for reduced loads. However Trailboss is to be used ONLY WITH LEAD BULLETS. No jacketed bullets with Trailboss. The higher engraving pressures of jacket bullets could let one stick in the bore.

With the OP, Unique is an excellent powder for mid-range magnum loads. I think 5grs is too light, you'll need to bump it up, especially with jacketed bullets.

Though for home defense use, I would recommend Factory Loads. I think you can find some 110gr JHP, 125gr JHP or 135gr JHP, 38Special loads that would work for you. I think they are marketed at snubnose revolver loads.

[gunboat]

+ 10 on the use of factory loads --- lawyers will make it sound like you loaded the ammo for killing elephants -- One box is enough for your needs -- Let her shoot a few rounds to get the feel and put the rest in the night stand with the weapon -- my ha-penny

[Snapping Twig]

Justified self defense will do much to negate the home made bullet thing. In fact, it will make it a non issue. Anything else than a slam dunk fear of life and it will be an issue.

That said, I've been loading 38special loads in magnum cases for years with no downside.

I like W231 and a 160g cast SWC, but load up anything you like and understand that when using a magnum case the 38special load will chronograph slightly slower due to the larger case volume. In general, 1/2 grain increase in powder eliminates this discrepancy, but as always, check load data and work up to everything you decide to load.

My load is 5g W231 under a cast 160g SWC for @ 900fps.

[f4tweet]

I was told by a CCW instructor, never use reloads. First issue is reliability, second, the defense always spins increased lethality and increased damage with home made. Since I've been shooting 40+ years, it's all BS to me. But to a lawyer, it's an open door to liability claim. Your $$$$$. The gunshops have plenty of Defensive ammo. It's not worth the trouble. If you shoot somebody, call 911, tell them to send an ambulance, there's been a shooting, and hang up. When the Police arrive, say NOTHING. They can't use NOTHING against you in court. My .02

[5hundo]

With the OP, Unique is an excellent powder for mid-range magnum loads. I think 5grs is too light, you'll need to bump it up, especially with jacketed bullets.

Yeah, I thought that I might...

Perhaps 6.0-6.5gr is a good place to start...

That's still under the suggested starting grains in my lyman book for the .357 though. I'm not sure how concerned I should be about detonation but better safe than sorry...

Though for home defense use, I would recommend Factory Loads. I think you can find some 110gr JHP, 125gr JHP or 135gr JHP, 38Special loads that would work for you. I think they are marketed at snubnose revolver loads.

We've tried a lot of different brands, bullet sizes and types. I'm not trying to pinch pennies, or anything. I even tried a box of really expensive +P loads but they were too heavy...

We've tried pretty much every round available at our local shops and there's nothing out there that has enough energy to suit me, yet still is controllable for her...

[xbimmers]

I wouldn't do that. A lessor charge may leave the bullet stuck in the barrel. There are light .357 loads you can use. You can also cut the .357 cases to .38 size and use a light load. I was follow the data on the reloading manuals. Those charges are safe and light for the most part.

I'm loading up some home defense loads for my girlfriend and I want to try to adjust the power of the charge so that it's controllable for her, yet has good muzzle velocity and decent energy.

I chose a 125gr JHP from hornady because it's lighter and would stand to have some speed behind it. I was going to use unique, starting around 5.0gr and working up from there to about 7.0 - 8.0gr maximum...

I'm wondering if there is any risk of detonation using .357 casings for what will be .38 special loads. This might be a stupid question, but better safe than sorry...

...any input would be much appreciated.

[5hundo]

I wouldn't do that. A lessor charge may leave the bullet stuck in the barrel. There are light .357 loads you can use. You can also cut the .357 cases to .38 size and use a light load. I was follow the data on the reloading manuals. Those charges are safe and light for the most part.

The problem is that in my case, I'm looking to load in-between the max loads of .38 Special and the Suggested starting grains of .357 Magnum...

I don't want to cut down .357 Brass to .38 Special dimensions, only to overload the powder charge for what a .38 should be. If I do that, I could put myself into a compressed load situation...

[J-cat]

Does no one read?

The issue is of legality and lawsuits if you shot an intruder with home made reloads.

Stick with factory defense rounds. It will save you a bunch of lawyer money.

There is no issue in shooting an intruder with reloads. Reloads are legal to possess and use, even in self defense.