Disappointment at the range.

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Eddy19

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Been shooting only 38 special for a good while in my 357. I loaded up some workups for 357 and went to the range earlier this week and found the 357's would not chamber fully in the cylinder about 3/8" sticking out. Figured it was some kind of buildup from the shorter 38 specials. So after getting home, took the cylinder off and ran a bronze bore brush with JB compound driven with a drill. Lots of black sludge. After several treatments, the cartridge finally chambered fully, a nice, easy drop fit.

Luckily brought my 44 mag too so wasn't a wasted trip to the range.

So a lesson learned. I'll probably be changing to all 357 cases from here on to avoid this problem again and pay more attention to cleaning the cylinder better. Will just load the 357 cases to perhaps 38 special +P levels.
 
I'll probably be changing to all 357 cases from here on to avoid this problem again and pay more attention to cleaning the cylinder better. Will just load the 357 cases to perhaps 38 special +P levels.

.38spl +P overlaps with .357... I don't see a problem.

Tell you what I did a long time ago... loaded .357 cases with 158gr LFP over .7cc/4.8grs of Hodgdon's Clays according to their Cowboy Action data. According to SASS rules, a handgun cartridge wasn't supposed to give more than 1000fps.
 
If the 38sp were lead/traditional lubed bullets that crud was wax...
Switch to coated bullets and that crud will all but be eliminated, as will the lube smoke.
Not cast/lubed bullets, never mind.
:uhoh:
 
I just load .38 charges in .357, easier to deal with one case size.
You usually need to bump up the .38 load .1-.3gr depending to get the same vel from a .357 case if you care about the actual vel.
 
I shoot 38 spl in my 38 spl revolvers, and .357 magnum in my .357 magnum revolvers, so this has not been a issue for me.
I do download .357 magnum to near 38 spl pressure for plated and lead bullets.
 
If I were planning to buy a 38 cal. revolver for conceal carry and its primary ammunition was 38 spl./ 38 spl +P then I would buy a revolver chambered in .38 spl +P preferably something lightweight. If I thought I might need a .357 magnum I would carry a something like a Ruger SP 101.
JMHO
 
Thank you I agree with all! To be clear, I do a good cleaning after each shoot but I've not cleaned the cylinder good enough apparently, I've just been running patches with Hoppes or Shooter's Choice through all six chambers but haven't used a brush, which I'll do from here on and will check to make sure a longer cartridge fits. Probably be good to use JB or Rem Bore Cleaner frequently too.
 
I’ve always loaded and shot 38 Special in my 357 magnums. Primarily because range brass in 38 was free and plentiful. I just shoot the lower velocity stuff better.

That aside the fouling issue I can understand and deal with but I’ve heard the inside of the cylinder can become gas cut much like the top strap at the cylinder gap. Any truth to that. Doesn’t seem logical.
 
There is no "crud build up" if you clean your guns regularly. When I shot a lot of 38s through my 357s I would take out the cylinder when I got home and drop it in a container of my "soak" (sorta an Ed's Red) while I clean the rest of the gun. I may "forget" the cylinder and let it soak over night (or whenever I remember to clean it).

But, using 357 brass for 38 loads has been great for me. I started reloading with the 38 Special and have a ton of brass, but I still loaded 38 Special data 357 Magnum brass. Everything from 38 wadcutter ammo with very light loads to med 38 levels (if I wanted "hotter" I'd just use 357 data). My 357s have 4" barrels and I never stuck a bullet even when using 2.9 gr Bullseye under a 148 gr WC...
 
Two choices, use .357 cases, or clean the cylinder more often. :)
That's what it boils down to Walkalong. For me, it'll be only 357 cases from here on mainly to simplify, one less case size to deal with. It'll also simplify the dies too, no having to reset the crimp/seater for 38 or 357. And a better cleaning always.
 
There is no "crud build up" if you clean your guns regularly. When I shot a lot of 38s through my 357s I would take out the cylinder when I got home and drop it in a container of my "soak" (sorta an Ed's Red) while I clean the rest of the gun. I may "forget" the cylinder and let it soak over night (or whenever I remember to clean it).

But, using 357 brass for 38 loads has been great for me. I started reloading with the 38 Special and have a ton of brass, but I still loaded 38 Special data 357 Magnum brass. Everything from 38 wadcutter ammo with very light loads to med 38 levels (if I wanted "hotter" I'd just use 357 data). My 357s have 4" barrels and I never stuck a bullet even when using 2.9 gr Bullseye under a 148 gr WC...
Thanks mdi, yes likewise here.
 
I have so much . 38 Special brass and several . 38 Special revolvers so I will be loading .38s for a good while. I run a nylon brush through the cylinder of the .357 Magnums after each range trip and have never had a problem. If you own only .357 Magnum revolvers I see no reason not to load your .38s in .357 brass.
 
I've seen advertisements for special chamber cleaning brushes.
I just use a 40 cal bore brush instead.
I do the same.
If I have crud build up in the cylinder chambers I use a .40 cal nylon brush with a cordless drill, I then use a worn out .357 brass brush with a 1 3/4 cotton patch chucked in the drill. This method is quick easy all with the help of Hoppe's #9.
 
Doesn't matter the caliber or shooting 38spl in a 357 or 44spl in 44mag, ect. A old copper brush with choir boy wrapped around it and a drill after every range session.

Decades ago it used to be fine steel wool & 3 in 1 oil. But back then you also paid a gunsmith to do the same thing, it was called barnishing the cylinders.
 
You now know that the cylinder (especially the forward areas) need to be cleaned more aggressively after shooting .38 rounds - just add more cleaning to your present routine - have fun.
 
I use a 'Tornado stainless steel' chamber brush to clean revolver chambers. It lasts for a long, long time. Two or three strokes with a twist and all the black crud is gone. Pull a bore snake through each chamber and only shine is left. Using the brush dry is less messy, but it works well with Hoppe's #9 solvent. I have not worn out or damaged any chambers yet in almost 40 years of shooting, but I'm not on my first brush either.
 
Again, a thank you to all with great tips and should do's. I'll give the cylinder as much cleaning care as I do the bore from here on, lesson learned. I mentioned earlier about going to just 357 cases, that won't work out after all, I have to keep using 38 specials. The particular range I go to, has a indoor range where no magnums are allowed. When you register they ask and look at your ammo. So I can't bring 357's loaded down to almost 38 levels, it's understandable. Anyway, today I'll start preparing the 38 cases and load up a bunch.
Engineer1911, yes I do have several Tornado brushes in all my calibers, used to use it mainly for shotgun to clear wad fouling, Thanks.
Steve S. your right, thanks.
 
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