35 caliber bullets in .357

[Mr_Flintstone]

I know this has probably been asked before, but I can't seem to find what I'm looking for. Has anyone ever used 35 caliber (.358") jacketed bullets in .357 loads, or seated in .38 special brass if the overall length would be too great with .357 brass? Just wondering. Also, would the extra diameter of the 35 caliber bullet make much of a pressure difference?

 

[Blue68f100]

.358 is what's used when shooting lead in a 357mag. So there should be no problem. One thing I recommend is checking your cylinders throats for dia and bore. If the throats are smaller than your bore you will have leading problems.

Always work up your loads.

 

[.308 Norma]

Has anyone ever used 35 caliber (.358") jacketed bullets in .357 loads, or seated in .38 special brass if the overall length would be too great with .357 brass? Just wondering.

Do you mean like seating .358" diameter jacketed bullets designed for in the 35 Remington in 38 Special cases so that the cartridge's OALs won't be too long for use in a .357 Magnum revolver? If so, yes, I know it's been done - I used to know a guy that experimented with that. I can't remember what he found out.
I personally never saw much use in working up .357 Magnum revolver loads using 35 Remington bullets seeing as how heavy, 170gr .357 diameter bullets designed for use in .357 Magnum revolvers were readily available. But that's just me. If you're an experimenter, "Experiment On."

Also, would the extra diameter of the 35 caliber bullet make much of a pressure difference?

There are too many variables to say. I'd sure be careful though - as Blue68f100 said, "Always work up your loads."

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I know this has probably been asked before, but I can't seem to find what I'm looking for. Has anyone ever used 35 caliber (.358") jacketed bullets in .357 loads, or seated in .38 special brass if the overall length would be too great with .357 brass? Just wondering. Also, would the extra diameter of the 35 caliber bullet make much of a pressure difference?

Yes, I load 180gr Spire Points and several lead rifle bullets in .38Spl, .357Mag and .357Max; mostly using load data from the T/C Contender multi caliber edition from LoadBooks. There’s a whole section in there for using .357” jacketed bullets in .35Rem and .358” bullets in the .357Mag/Max. Keep in mind these are not mild loads for plinking around but very high pressure rounds for the G1/G2 T/C Contenders specifically. Those are pretty strong actions, about on par with the newer steel Henry rifles.
I have also used the Hunter’s Supply and Cast Performance (now part of Grizzly) 180-200gr WFN-HC-GC in .38Spl, and .357Mag for revolvers.
Be very careful and use a chronograph! No Chrony = No bueno!

 

[Mr_Flintstone]

I’ve got some 180 gr Speer .358 flat point bullets, but no 35 caliber rifle. I do have a Henry .357 Magnum rifle that I could probably squeeze some loads into with .38 Special cases. They don’t have to be bleeding edge loads, I just don’t want to waste the bullets if they are usable. I’ll play around with Gordon’s to find some mild loads, and I’ll keep in mind that the pressure will be a little higher than normal.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I’ve got some 180 gr Speer .358 flat point bullets, but no 35 caliber rifle. I do have a Henry .357 Magnum rifle that I could probably squeeze some loads into with .38 Special cases. They don’t have to be bleeding edge loads, I just don’t want to waste the bullets if they are usable. I’ll play around with Gordon’s to find some mild loads, and I’ll keep in mind that the pressure will be a little higher than normal.

You should trade me those Speers for some good .357” pistol bullets. I can use them for .35Rem and .35Whelen.

 

[cfullgraf]

Many moons ago I dabbled with the Speer 180 gr 35 cal Spire Points in my Contender. They worked fine. They were to long to work in any 357 Mag revolver I had at the time.

If I remember correctly, Speer had some reloading data for them back in the day.

 

[Mr_Flintstone]

You should trade me those Speers for some good .357” pistol bullets. I can use them for .35Rem and .35Whelen.

It wouldn't be much of a trade. There's only about 20 bullets in a box that I got in a trade myself. I'll probably just set them aside for tinkering purposes when I get time.

 

[doubleh]

I can see no reason to use them. I would slug my bore before an attempt though. Bore diameters can vary some in any given caliber. I have a 9mm with an over sized bore and it doesn't shoot for sour apples with .356 lead bullets. 357 diameter gives an improvement and .358 would be even better but they won't chamber. Don't forget chamber diameter.

 

[Riomouse911]

I can see no reason to use them. I would slug my bore before an attempt though. Bore diameters can vary some in any given caliber. I have a 9mm with an over sized bore and it doesn't shoot for sour apples with .356 lead bullets. 357 diameter gives an improvement and .358 would be even better but they won't chamber. Don't forget chamber diameter.

Plus, unless the OP is punching paper or ringing plates, even if they fit the chamber he would have to drive them fast enough to expand. I don’t know if a regular .357 Mag case could make it a useful load in a revolver.



They do make for a dandy load in the .35 Remington, though.



Stay safe.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

It wouldn't be much of a trade. There's only about 20 bullets in a box that I got in a trade myself. I'll probably just set them aside for tinkering purposes when I get time.

Well, it’s up to you but I was thinking about equivalent pistol bullets from Speer. I can put them to use but it’s not a big deal.