Henry Rifle Forums

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.

Llew Taranau wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 20, 2021 9:31 pm

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.

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.

agree

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?

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

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

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

Llew Taranau wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 22, 2021 4:37 pm

What would "does better" mean here? Accuracy?

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

Got it, thanks!