A thought on the MB .357 180gr. bullets !

[fortyshooter]

These bullets should be here Tuesday and had a thought... I have a bunch of 38 Special brass and only about 70 .357 Mag cases available to load right now since the others are loaded with 125 gr. bullets.
My thought is to seat the 180 gr. bullets to the vacant lube groove right under the crimp groove in the 38 Special cases.
This would extend the COL to close to .357 Mag length. I don't how close yet until I get the bullets.
Also this would give more volume in case for possibly the same load I will use in Mag case...if not I could back off the load a bit.

Just would like to use the 5 lb. coffee can of 38 Special cases and get similar load performance. I'm sure the new Henry BB will like to cycle those
too being close to same length as the Magnum.

What do you think?

NOTE...I don't own any .38 Special only revolvers to mix them up with and they will be labeled .357 Mag rifle only.

[Rifletom]

Hmm. Are .38spl cases as "strong" or same wall thickness, especially around the webbing as .357 cases? I don't know. It seems this idea would work. Others here will chime in and help with this. Interesting indeed. If it was me, I THINK I'd just shoot some of those 125's and load those cases. Just to be sure. Let's see what the crew says.
Ha! These 180's are really starting to catch fire! Awesome guys.

[BigAl52]

https://loaddata.com/articles/PDF/LD-41%20Campbell.pdf Heres an article on using heavy weight bullets is 38 special. Although this guy is seating them a little different that you are talking about.

[Vaquero]

Tom you should see about a discount next time you order,
if only they knew the reason for the new popularity of those 180's.

RP

[fortyshooter]

https://loaddata.com/articles/PDF/LD-41%20Campbell.pdf Heres an article on using heavy weight bullets is 38 special. Although this guy is seating them a little different that you are talking about.

That was a great read....thanks! I'm starting with a sample pack of 100- 180's and 100- 158's all HiTec coated.

[fortyshooter]

Only other thing would be cleaning the chamber really well to eliminate any crud ring from the Special cases!

Just a thought and will see what measures when the bullets get here.

[Rifletom]

Tom you should see about a discount next time you order,
if only they knew the reason for the new popularity of those 180's.

RP

LOL! I like that idea. I usually buy them at our local reloading store, like I did yesterday. Same price as MB and no shipping. If he doesn't have them in stock, he'll order them and they're usually there in two weeks. This is a great store. It's normally a shotgun reloading place, but, Rick has anything and everything. It really is a handloaders candy store.

[BigAl52]

I did a search on the net and there are quite a few articles on that. Heavy weight bullets in 38 special cases. I have a ton of them also but I have a 38 special revolver which doesnt get used much.

[fortyshooter]

Had a bad dream last night of firing one in my new Henry and when cycled only head of case came out of chamber!
Might work for one reloading but might stress case too much you think??

If the rifle cycles .38 Specials OK may not need to worry about any issue of a Mag. length COL.

My .44 Mag BBS Carbine runs the 44 Specials fine.

[BigAl52]

Never had an issue with 38 special running in my Henrys