38 or 357 for loading lead

[russt]

I have a 357 revolver that I'm loading 158gr lswc's for. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using 357 or 38 cases.

[XDRoX]

Some say the shorter cases are harder to clean up after because they leave a ring in the cylinder.
I've never noticed anything though. I pretty much only shoot 38spl out of my revolvers.

357 brass is worth way more than 38spl brass so I don't bother wasting it unless I want full powered loads. If the load you're loading is safe to shoot in a 38spl case, why waste a 357 case is my opinion.

[Capt.Dunsel]

38 vs 357

You'll get a lead ring build up in your chamber from using 38 cases instead of 357 cases. Making for a little more work when cleaning.

This would be for lead/cast or jacketed , any thing shorter than the 357 case and you get a ring in the chamber.

[stilly]

Some say the shorter cases are harder to clean up after because they leave a ring in the cylinder.
I've never noticed anything though. I pretty much only shoot 38spl out of my revolvers.

357 brass is worth way more than 38spl brass so I don't bother wasting it unless I want full powered loads. If the load you're loading is safe to shoot in a 38spl case, why waste a 357 case is my opinion.

NOTHING but net...

I have heard that SAME argument for NOT shooting 22short out of a 22lr revolver.

As long as you clean what can it hurt?

As far as .357 vs .38, If you want to make a .357 wadcutter knock yourself out, but a .38 would do the same thing. It aint gonna cut any wads that much harder cause it is a .357. Save the .357 for some combat loads and keep the bunny fart stuff to .38.

[JagerDog]

Clean your chambers occassionally. The "ring" doesn't know if it's 38 or 357. Just the "ring" can make 357 difficult to chamber until you clean it up if it gets too bad. Nothing a little Hoppes and a cylinder brush won't take care of in short order.

I have 38's and 357's. Even the 357's see 98% 38's.

[CEDaytonaRydr]

Some say the shorter cases are harder to clean up after because they leave a ring in the cylinder.
I've never noticed anything though.

^^This...

Although, a tornado brush and some break free CLP will solve that problem in no time. I didn't get into this sport thinking that I was never going to have to clean a gun.

[mark501w]

I 'ts more a matter of adjusting dies for me I use 2 die sets.

[CEDaytonaRydr]

I 'ts more a matter of adjusting dies for me I use 2 die sets.

RCBS dies have a spacer ring that you can use to transition between 38 and 357. You could probably order one of those.

[mark501w]

Thanks

[74c5]

Thanks for asking. I'm going to do the same in the future. Haven't shot the python in 20+ years but, the 38 WC ring is a known thing that you just deal with.

[huckberry668]

I shot heavily customed revolvers in Bianchi and PPC for years. Shooting 38spl loads in 357 mag chambers made loading 357mag rounds difficult without cleaning. It'll be worse since you're shooting lead.

It also degrades accuracy a little with the same load (same powder charge, bullet, primer, crimp) due to the velocity ES. I tested my match loads thru chrono and benched for groups at 50 yards to know. I don't remember the exact number but I think it's around 1/2" in group sizes at 50-yards with 125gr Zero in front of 5.1 gr of W231/HP38 and a Fed 100. These guns were capable of 2" groups at 50 yards sandbag rested.

I loaded my 38spl match loads in 357mag cases if I was going to shoot it out of 357Mag chambers. The reduced loads increased the brass life. the only breakage I remember seeing were spit necks from the heavy taper crimp.

[3006mv]

Use gas checks on 357 loads if loading mag velocities.
I only shoot .38s out of my 38s and not my .357 revolvers.

[at_liberty]

To me, the key question is whether a .38 Special round is as accurate as a .357, bullet weight/type and rated velocity being equal. Intuitively, I would think not, since there must be a reason cylinder bores are closely matched to the intended case length standard. Also, I would think wear on the edge of the throat would be a problem. I have no tests or research to offer at this point. But I do use only .357 cases in my .357 guns.

[kmca]

In both, they still have to make the "jump" from cylinder to barrel. I suspect throat erosion would be greater using magnum loads. A revolver isn't like a pistol, the bullets are funneled into the barrel from the cylinder.

Nobody mentioned, shorter cases, used in a magnum cylinder, eject and load easier. In competition, they even use a shorter case for more positive ejection and loading.

[Abenaki]

I have both 38 sp & 357 revolvers.

I have no problems shooting the 38's in a 357.

I only shoot cast boolits in the 38's. In the 357's.... I shoot 99.9999%
cast boolits.

I shoot wad cutters and semi-wad cutters in both the 38 & 357.

Take care
Abenaki