357 vs 38

[geoint]

Hey guys, Ive been into reloading for about a year now and have gotten pretty good with just basic 45 ACP reloads and Im thinking of expanding into 9mm and either 357 mag or 38 spl. If you could only choose one of the revolver cartridges, which would you choose and why?


And FYI at this time I dont have a revolver, I will only be shooting these out of a buddies GP100 4".

[klewan]

You can do both with one die set, same bullets, powder, primer, just different brass. So you don't have to make a choice. Isn't that easy???

[Chief-7700]

38/357 just have to change the seating depth and maybe the crimp.

[Abenaki]

No need to change anything.

RCBS, and others sell a washer of the correct thickness. Set up your dies for the 38. when you want to load for the 357, just put the washer on the press and screw the die in. That simple.


Take care
Abenaki

[Gryff]

I shoot .38 exclusively in my .357 revolvers. A) I'm a competition shooter, so increased recoil isn't beneficial, B) I have no interest in the extra recoil for fun, C) I have no interest in putting more strain on my guns than necessary.

[Chief-7700]

38/357 just have to change the seating depth and maybe the crimp.

Since my dies are locked in a tool head, the above is what I would have to do.
Chief

[at_liberty]

Hey guys, Ive been into reloading for about a year now and have gotten pretty good with just basic 45 ACP reloads and Im thinking of expanding into 9mm and either 357 mag or 38 spl. If you could only choose one of the revolver cartridges, which would you choose and why?


And FYI at this time I dont have a revolver, I will only be shooting these out of a buddies GP100 4".

I would get a Smith 67-1, because the 38 Special is the ace, numero uno target round, and the K frame was made for that caliber. The 4" barrel makes it either a service or target gun. You won't regret it.

If you are going to get a 357, be sure of why and be sure you intend to actually shoot 357 ammo. I always feed my gun what is stamped on the barrel, although mostly my own reloads, if not CCW.

Since you are going to reload, you can go with the 357, making low end 357 rounds with 357 cases, but which actually shoot like 38 +p or milder. That's if you buy into maintaining the option while having a love/hate relationship with the recoil of a 357.

[David-K]

If you're on a budget, don't want multiple die setups and/or the need to adjust settings and are interested in the simplicity of killing two birds with one stone, go with .38SPL. It's a great round to begin with and as you know, can also be used in a revolver chambered in .357MAG.

[4DMASTR]

I have a .38 and a .357 revolver. Since they can both shoot .38 that is what I plan to reload.

[Germz]

go 9mm, its cheaper to reload.

[brettkeating]

I shoot .38 exclusively in my .357 revolvers. A) I'm a competition shooter, so increased recoil isn't beneficial, B) I have no interest in the extra recoil for fun, C) I have no interest in putting more strain on my guns than necessary.

Just curious... if your gun is 357/38, why don't you shoot 38 special loads out of 357 brass? Shouldn't that give you a bit more accuracy and keep your gun a bit cleaner?

I have a load I put into 357 cases with plated 158gr bullets that shoots softer than any 38 special factory round I've tried, and is also very accurate. 5.5gr of VVN32C aka "Tin Star." Similar to Trail Boss.

[klewan]

go 9mm, its cheaper to reload.

Maybe; you don't loose any of your brass with a revolver. 9mm gets flung and good luck finding it or the range has a rule that anything that hits the ground is theirs.

[Bastard]

I reload 38 spl in 38 spl brass - I have no interest in shooting 357. I also have a 38 spl revolver, so no mag brass. if you want to simplify things and have no intention of ever getting a 38 spl revolver, just load 357 brass which can be downloaded to 38spl.

also holding on to the pipe dream that I might acquire a model 52 someday, so I'm keeping my 38s... that is my excuse anyway.


as for the 9mm I use mostly entirely range brass that I "exchange" every time.

[rm1911]

Just curious... if your gun is 357/38, why don't you shoot 38 special loads out of 357 brass? Shouldn't that give you a bit more accuracy and keep your gun a bit cleaner?



I have a load I put into 357 cases with plated 158gr bullets that shoots softer than any 38 special factory round I've tried, and is also very accurate. 5.5gr of VVN32C aka "Tin Star." Similar to Trail Boss.

^^^^^^^^

This is what I do. Especially if you shoot lead bullets as shooting lead in 38 brass in a 357 makes for a nasty lead ring inside cylinder and it's very difficult to load 357's. I do shoot plated out of 38 brass and it isn't a problem.

[Victor Cachat]

No need to change anything.

RCBS, and others sell a washer of the correct thickness. Set up your dies for the 38. when you want to load for the 357, just put the washer on the press and screw the die in. That simple.


Take care
Abenaki

Nice!
I think I will make a set from some aluminum stock I have.