Should I buy .38 or .357 brass? Anyone have once-fired brass?

[Lead Waster]

Hi guys, so due to lack of ammo, I figured I'd just cast and load up some ammo for my soon-to-come-home S&W 686+.

Molds will come when molds will come, backordered on Midway forever. But I did recently get my .40 cal mold after months and months of waiting.

I plan on getting 158gn bullet molds, which I suppose is more of a .38 bullet.

Anyhoo ... If I supplement my meager supplies of .38/.357 brass, is it better to buy .38 spc or .357 mag brass?

Mostly, I'd be loading probably regular .38 spc power level loads.

I'm aware also that .357 mag cases would "fit" the chamber better, but are there concerns about there being too much space in the case for just enough powder for .38 level loads?

Both brass is backordered as well, so it's not an urgent thing.

Stupid ammo shortage! I have like 10 rounds of .38 in my ammo cabinet, and when I bought the gun, I was promised that I could buy 100 rounds of .38 for like $20/50. Bah. Well, guns are useless without ammo.

Reloading the .38 will consume precious SPP that my 9mm and .40 are also vying for!

[Ghost_Maker]

Its a drive for you.... But Petaluma Guns and Reloading (Daryl) has a drum 1/2 full of .38 spc for sale.. I think he is asking like .10 a case.. I just bought some cuz I was there for something else and it came out to like 9# for 1000cases...

They are uber friendly and knowledgeable too.. I keep going back cuz they do carry a large amount of reloading supplies and try to keep as much in stock as possible...

[JagerDog]

Is there really a shortage of 38 cases?

Just run 38 cases for 38 loads. 357 cases are harder to come by and I like knowing my 38's will work in any of my 38's.

Just clean the cylinder chambers routinely. Takes quite a bit of shooting/fouling before 357 cases stick on the residue.

[Bill Steele]

Personally, I buy new Starline brass in .357M. They cost about $.13/case, will last a really long time at 38spl loads.

I load 231/HP38 for target loads (.38spl level loads) and favor slower powders for full power 357 loads.

[Divernhunter]

+1 that is what I do I also do the same with 44mag and load some to 44special levels.

[JagerDog]

+1 that is what I do I also do the same with 44mag and load some to 44special levels.

Makes more sense in .44 since 44 special is kinda rare with few guns actually chambered in 44 spec.

[f4tweet]

357 Mag. You will only have one burn ring in the cylinder.

[UnknownShooter]

In my area, .38 brass is about $35 per k (3.5 cents per case) for tumbled range pickup brass. .357 is going for about $70 per k. If these are practice loads, the 38 brass is a much better value. Unless you go crazy with the belling/crimping action, you'll be able to reload either one many many times.

Unless you get satisfaction from stacking 10k rounds in the safe, even just a few hundred cases might be enough to get started. I always come back from the range with more brass than i left the house with..

If you're shooting lead, you will be cleaning the gun anyway.

[ricemanff]

I know Barnwood arms in Ripon has .38spl and 357 bulk brass. They also carry bear creek bullets.

[KB1911_NewB]

357 Mag. You will only have one burn ring in the cylinder.

What he said.

[JagerDog]

357 Mag. You will only have one burn ring in the cylinder.

Oh...those deadly burn rings.

[Hallx7]

I agree with Bill and Diver. I personally only run 357 brass through my guns. I have light loads that I load to just have fun at the range and I have hot loads that I use hunting or when I just want a bigger bang. Just be sure you keep them separate.
That being said... With the current shortages grab what you can. Either one will work in your 686 and if you're loading light it really doesn't matter.

[anothergunnut]

I use to reload 38 and 357 to run through 357 guns but I no longer bother. I have a ton of brass and don't want to bother with 38 rings. I still have some 38 cases loaded but those are for my 38s only.

[s4alex]

I have got a load full of 38spl once fired, most already cleaned and tumbled. I decided a while ago that I might as well just make soft .357 than .38 for the 686.

I am up for a trade if you want. Let me know.

[G-Man WC]

I'm still looking for either new or used 357 brass.It's been hard to come by since the latest nonsense started. I have my Dillon650 set-up
to load 357 lead RNFP and don't feel like adjusting it.
I just shoot a mid range load with 2400 that works well in my 4" 686 and Marlin lever. Good luck with the brass. -g