,38 in .357 lever action mirror thread

[JEBar]

As a hand loader I don't see the reason to load 38's to shoot in 357's.

RP

agree .... for such ammo, I load 38 level loads in 357 cases .... we still have 3 38's that we need to maintain ammo for .... a high percentage of our 38 cases have been in use since the 60's and no more than they are used, some may still be around when the 60's roll around again

[Ojaileveraction]

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[Mistered]

Heck I am still loading range pickup from the mid 80s when I was in the Air Force shooting my M-15 S & W duty gun.

[Mistered]

Can 38sp cases take 357mag pressures in a 357mag fire arm?

Technically yes BUT NEVER LOAD .357 LEVEL IN .38 SPECIAL CASES!!!

If someone ever got a hold of them and shot them in their .38 Special gun they could likely have a KABOOM!

[Ojaileveraction]

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[JEBar]

But the bullet will seat in a 38sp case at 357 lengths.

so long as the bullet and pressures are within 357 specs, I don't see why it won't work in a firearm designed to handle those pressures .... I do believe that the same carbon carbon ring issues innate to firing 38 cases in a 357 chamber will have to be addressed

[Ojaileveraction]

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[Mistered]

I'm not sure that a 38sp case and bullet combo that is 357mag length

A bullet that is loaded in a .38 Special case that happens to chamber in a .357 gun is NOT '.357 Mag length'
- It's something than happens to fit....

AND if a typical 158 or less grain bullet were loaded in a .38 case WITH a .357 mag charge it will fit a .38 Special gun just fine.

One more time:
NEVER LOAD .357 LEVEL IN .38 SPECIAL CASES!!!

Any questions?

[Ojaileveraction]

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[DayOne]

Shooting .38 Specials in the BB .357 mag.

Howdy,
For several years, I would only shoot 357 plated round nose bullets. I then started reloading and switched to Rainier flat nosed plated 158 gr for both 38 and 357. I ran into the problem of the infamous 'crud ring' in the barrel. Then I remembered this:

http://www.big45metalcleaner.com/

Works really well to get the ring out of the barrel in just a few swipes. Tear off a piece and wrap it around the bronze bore brush and run it thru a few times and the bore is totally shiny. It also works well to remove any light rust from neglected guns including blued guns with no harm to the finish.

Check it out at the link. I've used it on my S&W 28-2 357 mag and it works as advertised.

Good Luck,
DayOne