Ammo types

[Llew Taranau]

Apologies if this has been hashed over a million times, I didn't get any hits when searching the forum...

Just bought a Silver Boy in .357 Mag. / .38 Spl. I know not to use pointed rounds, but do I need to also stay away from RNL and RNFMJ as well?

I had an older Marlin in .45 LC before, and shot RNL in it, but those were Cowboy loads.

Oops, just realized this should have been in the 'Ammo' folder.

[GunnyGene]

Apologies if this has been hashed over a million times, I didn't get any hits when searching the forum...

Just bought a Silver Boy in .357 Mag. / .38 Spl. I know not to use pointed rounds, but do I need to also stay away from RNL and RNFMJ as well?

I had an older Marlin in .45 LC before, and shot RNL in it, but those were Cowboy loads.

I seriously doubt loading or recoil shock would cause either of those to ignite a primer. I've never heard of it happening.

[Sir Henry]

Any RN should be fine in 38/357. It’s the spritzer bullets of rifle calibers where you need to be careful. Although I’ve never heard of it happening there either.

[JEBar]

agree

[Llew Taranau]

Thanks y'all.

Next question: The manual says when using .38 SPL in a .357 Mag rifle, to stick with 158 gr loads. Is this really necessary, as long as the OAL is the same?

[JEBar]

it should fire any 38 or 357 load that meets SAAMI specs .... that doesn't mean it will shoot all of them with equal consistency .... I read that as Henry has tested their rifles and has found that at 38 special velocities, it does better with 158 gr bullets

[Llew Taranau]

What would "does better" mean here? Accuracy? Feeding/extraction? Or...?

[Shakey Jake]

I handload so never have shot .38 spcl in my .357 (Winchester 1892, not Henry). Don't k now why but on the barrel it has engraved .357 mag only. I probably could shoot 38 spcl but see no need to. AS JeBar states I think it has more to do with accuracy. Secondly there should be a difference in the OAL of the two cartridges. Check with your reloading manual and stick with OAL of whatever it states for .38 spcl. Nosler has the OAL @1.440 for the 158 gr bullet in 38 and @ 1.585 for the .357 mag in 158 gr bullet.
Jake

[JEBar]

What would "does better" mean here? Accuracy?

accuracy .... to a large part grouping impact points

[Llew Taranau]

Got it, thanks!