Can some one help me out with this question. Can you shoot both the 38 special ammo and 357 mag ammo out of any 357 revolver? Thanks
metze
Yes!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.38_Special
Despite its name, its caliber is actually .357–.358 inches (9.0678 mm), with the ".38" referring to the approximate diameter of the loaded brass case. This came about because the original .38-caliber cartridge, the .38 Short Colt, was designed for use in converted .36-caliber cap-and-ball (muzzleloading) Navy revolvers, which had cylindrical firing chambers of approximately .374 inch diameter, requiring "heel-based" bullets, the exposed portion of which was the same diameter as the cartridge case (see the section on the .38 Long Colt). Except for its length, the .38 Special case is identical to that of the .38 Long Colt, and to the .357 Magnum which was developed from the earlier cartridge in 1935. This allows the .38 Special round to be used in revolvers chambered for the .357 Magnum (but not the reverse, the longer length prevents potential accidents from the significantly higher pressure generated by the .357 Magnum cartridge).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.38_Special
Despite its name, its caliber is actually .357–.358 inches (9.0678 mm), with the ".38" referring to the approximate diameter of the loaded brass case. This came about because the original .38-caliber cartridge, the .38 Short Colt, was designed for use in converted .36-caliber cap-and-ball (muzzleloading) Navy revolvers, which had cylindrical firing chambers of approximately .374 inch diameter, requiring "heel-based" bullets, the exposed portion of which was the same diameter as the cartridge case (see the section on the .38 Long Colt). Except for its length, the .38 Special case is identical to that of the .38 Long Colt, and to the .357 Magnum which was developed from the earlier cartridge in 1935. This allows the .38 Special round to be used in revolvers chambered for the .357 Magnum (but not the reverse, the longer length prevents potential accidents from the significantly higher pressure generated by the .357 Magnum cartridge).
The answer is YES. love the .357 mag. All kinds of spiffy loads from shotshell (aka. snake loads, to some heavy duty hunting loads). Read the manufacturers recommendations though....some of the 'airweight' or light framed .357 cannot handle heavy .357 mag rounds. I'm partial to Ruger .357s (SP101s and GP 100s). They are awesome...can handle full loads and the entire trigger group comes out in one piece allowing for easy maintenance and cleaning....very important in my world of saltwater and sand.
.357 Ruger...
I've shot hundreds of self-loaded .38 Specials in my Ruger...lotta fun and cheap.When I want to have Magnum power I load 15.5gr. Bluedot with the Winchester 125 gr. hollowpoint.Medium crimp..
I've shot hundreds of self-loaded .38 Specials in my Ruger...lotta fun and cheap.When I want to have Magnum power I load 15.5gr. Bluedot with the Winchester 125 gr. hollowpoint.Medium crimp..
Yes, You can!
I probalbly shot about 8000 rounds over the years, through my S&W 681 over the years. Just as accurate as full length magnum rounds. Cheaper and good low recoil training.
With the right loads can still show a respectable amount of stopping power compareable of that of a hot 9mm+P,with nothing to apologize for. My third choice for a defensive round after the 125gr and 110gr .357 magnum rounds is the 158gr Lead Semi-Wadcutter Hollow Point +P (Plus pressure). on the box it's marked 158 LSWCHP+P. The so called FBI load. The one made by Remington is the better one versus Winchester. It uses a softer lead alloy than Winchester, but it will expand better out of snub nose guns. If you fireing it out of 4" or longer barrel the Winchester will work just fine. The down side to Remington is it will lead the bore faster than most ammo. If one uses a good lead solvent and a .38 CHAMBER brush, And I stress CHAMBER brush not cleaning brush it should be just fine. A chamber brush is a tight fitting cleaning brush that after 3 DRY passes with no solvent will clean the charge holes very, very well. The 110 +P load the so called treasury load because it was used buy the U.S. Secret service as their carry load for a long time with good showing also.
I probalbly shot about 8000 rounds over the years, through my S&W 681 over the years. Just as accurate as full length magnum rounds. Cheaper and good low recoil training.
With the right loads can still show a respectable amount of stopping power compareable of that of a hot 9mm+P,with nothing to apologize for. My third choice for a defensive round after the 125gr and 110gr .357 magnum rounds is the 158gr Lead Semi-Wadcutter Hollow Point +P (Plus pressure). on the box it's marked 158 LSWCHP+P. The so called FBI load. The one made by Remington is the better one versus Winchester. It uses a softer lead alloy than Winchester, but it will expand better out of snub nose guns. If you fireing it out of 4" or longer barrel the Winchester will work just fine. The down side to Remington is it will lead the bore faster than most ammo. If one uses a good lead solvent and a .38 CHAMBER brush, And I stress CHAMBER brush not cleaning brush it should be just fine. A chamber brush is a tight fitting cleaning brush that after 3 DRY passes with no solvent will clean the charge holes very, very well. The 110 +P load the so called treasury load because it was used buy the U.S. Secret service as their carry load for a long time with good showing also.
Who owns the one shot now.
Well as a died in the wool .357 mag revolver fan, I wish that it was still the case. The .357 magnum 125gr jacketed Hollow point reagardless of maker*, was the king of the street for 25 years, at 96% one shot stops. Ironically enough the .45 ACP, 230gr Hydrashock hollowpoint (standard pressure) WHEN FIRED OUT OF A 5" BARRELED pistol gives the same stoping percentage. Not bad for the .45 auto crowd.
Sadly, the title was taken in 2000 by the .40 Cal 155gr hydrashock hollow point. It was developed for the U.S. Border Patrol for use in their Berretta 96D's. Now I don't know if the .40 has to be launched out of a 5" tubes but all of the 109 shooting proving the round, were done by the Border Patrol. It's finishes with 97% one shot stops.
If we we're to get a little bit ridiculous for a moment and it was some how practical to carry a 6" revolver for duty, the 110gr JHP .357 Magnum takes back the title for 98% one shot stops. The only one that trumps all comers at 99%, is the 12ga foster slug.
Now one might notice I put a * near regaurdless of maker. I have seen a disturbing trend twords weight retention. Now for some calibers in most circumstances lost retained weight can be bad. But for the .357 Magnum 125gr bullets they litterally shatter over it's 12" path of destruction, totally disapating it's 585 FP energy in the target and saving bystanders. But CCI Golddot and Winchester Ranger series have been going down the trail of weight retention for all and in the specific cases of the .357 magnum and it's automatic twin the .357 Sig, it's the wrong path for this cartridge. In this case this case the Federal Hi Sock classic is the better choice. But other brands work just as well.
Alex
Well as a died in the wool .357 mag revolver fan, I wish that it was still the case. The .357 magnum 125gr jacketed Hollow point reagardless of maker*, was the king of the street for 25 years, at 96% one shot stops. Ironically enough the .45 ACP, 230gr Hydrashock hollowpoint (standard pressure) WHEN FIRED OUT OF A 5" BARRELED pistol gives the same stoping percentage. Not bad for the .45 auto crowd.
Sadly, the title was taken in 2000 by the .40 Cal 155gr hydrashock hollow point. It was developed for the U.S. Border Patrol for use in their Berretta 96D's. Now I don't know if the .40 has to be launched out of a 5" tubes but all of the 109 shooting proving the round, were done by the Border Patrol. It's finishes with 97% one shot stops.
If we we're to get a little bit ridiculous for a moment and it was some how practical to carry a 6" revolver for duty, the 110gr JHP .357 Magnum takes back the title for 98% one shot stops. The only one that trumps all comers at 99%, is the 12ga foster slug.
Now one might notice I put a * near regaurdless of maker. I have seen a disturbing trend twords weight retention. Now for some calibers in most circumstances lost retained weight can be bad. But for the .357 Magnum 125gr bullets they litterally shatter over it's 12" path of destruction, totally disapating it's 585 FP energy in the target and saving bystanders. But CCI Golddot and Winchester Ranger series have been going down the trail of weight retention for all and in the specific cases of the .357 magnum and it's automatic twin the .357 Sig, it's the wrong path for this cartridge. In this case this case the Federal Hi Sock classic is the better choice. But other brands work just as well.
Alex
I think as far as versatility the .357 is just about king.
I am a devoted fan of .45 auto but that .357 can be handloaded to do just about anything so long as you have the rifle or revolver to take the heat.
If I were told I could only have one handgun and I was going to be rural it would be a Ruger .357.
I am a devoted fan of .45 auto but that .357 can be handloaded to do just about anything so long as you have the rifle or revolver to take the heat.
If I were told I could only have one handgun and I was going to be rural it would be a Ruger .357.
If it goes bang, I'm a devoted fan...
Rugers are about as strong and maintenance free as they get...
They're remind me of the old Timex ad "takes a likin keeps on tickin"
Peter
Rugers are about as strong and maintenance free as they get...
They're remind me of the old Timex ad "takes a likin keeps on tickin"
Peter
the 357 is by far my favorite round peferct for all situations from carry to survival will put anything down and shooting 38s is a +
I like the 158 gr. Remington JHP's over the 125 gr. They give a better penetration on game and seem to hold together better at carbine velocities. It may just be me but I have found the 158 gr bullets to be a bit more accurate. I get the occasional flier with 125's out of a carbine, but not the 158's.
Peter
Peter
I was once, very briefly, an armed security guard at a gov building down in Washington D.C.; we were all still armed with 357 revolvers ( rather than the Glock semiautos more popular now with law enforcement) but curiously were always loaded with 38. ammo. Our shooting qualification test was also done with 38. I was told in training, this was mostly due to the consideration, shared by law enforcenment, that one wants to avoid killing somebody else behind your target; we were in a crowded environment after all. I dont know to much about capabilities of different ammo but that made sense. Of course, i always wondered why they simply didn't buy 38's to begin with, but well, thats the efficiency of government spending for you.
I vote with Peter. I have both 125 gr and 158 gr rounds, but stock far more of the 158 gr. stuff.
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