reloading 357 mag cases with 38 special loads

**coalman** · June 19th, 2009, 09:36 PM

getting tired of scrubbing chamberrs to get fouling out when firing 38s in 357 was wondering if i could just load 38 loads in 357 cases? this question may have already been asked so if it was i appologize. have a small pile of 357 casesand a pile of 38s. if this venture is possible will be willing to trade 38 cases for 357 cases if anybody interested. thanks.

**fingers80002** · June 19th, 2009, 09:42 PM

Originally Posted by coalman

getting tired of scrubbing chamberrs to get fouling out when firing 38s in 357 was wondering if i could just load 38 loads in 357 cases? this question may have already been asked so if it was i appologize. have a small pile of 357 casesand a pile of 38s. if this venture is possible will be willing to trade 38 cases for 357 cases if anybody interested. thanks.

Yep, good practice loads.

**QuakertownRich** · June 20th, 2009, 05:27 AM

Good luck finding someone to do that trade with ya. 38 special brass is probably 1/4 as valuable as 357 magnum, to give you a point of reference.
As far as the loading goes, the exact powder charge for 38 special shouldn't be used without checking against 357 magnum data for same bullet weight.
A little longer, more air space and different pressure.
I have already done this as it was becoming a hassle cleaning foul rings for me too.

**Brick** · June 20th, 2009, 09:40 AM

Yes, you can load to .38 Spec. power in .357 cases.

As to scrubbing your chambers you should invest in chamber brushes anyhow. They are stainless steel and the full diameter of the chamber and they are inexpensive also.

See:
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=1..._CHAMBER_BRUSH

**QuakertownRich** · June 20th, 2009, 09:47 AM

Originally Posted by Brick

Yes, you can load to .38 Spec. power in .357 cases. Not the same powder measurements as 38 special..check your manuals.
As to scrubbing your chambers you should invest in chamber brushes anyhow. I don't believe anyone said they didn't clean their chambers, just tired of cleaning the fouling rings left from 38spl in 357mag cylinders. They are stainless steel and the full diameter of the chamber and they are inexpensive also.

See:
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=1..._CHAMBER_BRUSH

Fixed it for ya.

**GoldWinger** · June 20th, 2009, 10:53 AM

I recall reading an article about this years ago and the warning was that since the load is light, that the powerd and wind up laying on the bottom of the case and burning strangely. If memory serves, the author filled the extra space with something like polyester batting.

**Brick** · June 20th, 2009, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by QuakertownRich

Fixed it for ya.

Thanks, but don't do me any more favors.

Any load safe in .38 Spec is safe in .357 Mag. And can be loaded in .357 brass. Any reloader that has done some research would know that dacron or kapok fiber fill can be used to fill the dead space if they are worried about overflash/overpressure. Or as an alternate use TITEGROUP powder which was designed for light loads.

Chamber brushes are just work savers. Don't like 'em? Don't use 'em.

**MrBlackHawk** · June 20th, 2009, 12:25 PM

I just switched to .357 from 38 for pretty much the same reasons. I load about 4.4 of Titegroup under 148gr Lead Cast and it shoots real nice. I'm still experimenting for accuracy.
I think I got a pretty good deal on .357 brass from here.
http://www.chestnutridge.com/products/brass.asp

looks like they dont have any presently. you have to check on a daily basis.
I THINK I paid around $20 for 150 new starline. Bought 450 and the total was around $67.

Tite Group is made for loads where the powder takes up little volume in the case. I've never had a problem with it. I ran some REALLY light 38spl loads and they all shot consistantly.