experimentor
Member
Reloading data, is a beginning load for 357 mag any powder, the plus p load for 38 special??
38 special max loads
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ArchAngelCD
Member.
NO NO NO...
You can not make that assumption and with most powders it's not even close. It's all about pressure. I highly recommend you buy a good reloading manual and read the front of the book too, not just the load data. You can not do what you asked about safely...
Look at some data here: http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/
BCRider
Member
THR does not charge you by the keystroke. Flesh out what you're trying to say so the intent is clear. Other than a general feeling that you're considering a bad idea I can't make heads or tails from what you posted.
If you stick with Hodgdon and IMR powders you don't even need to buy a reloading book. Hodgdon has an online reloading data center for their powders which is basically an online reloading manual. Use it.
zxcvbob
Member
There are quite a few powders appropriate for both .38 Special and .357 Mag, but there is a big gap in the load data between the two.
You can safely load in that gap if you use .357 brass. Don't try to make super-duper .38's -- it's been done before, and there's a reason .357 brass is longer than .38 brass.
You can safely load in that gap if you use .357 brass. Don't try to make super-duper .38's -- it's been done before, and there's a reason .357 brass is longer than .38 brass.
+1^
Please read several sources prior to attempting any such tactics and you will see there is no overlap. For example, a couple of my 38 and 357 loads, Universal and Titegroup, using 125 JHPs, the +P load is merely a few .1g over max 38, while 357 min is notably higher.
Looking at the Hodgdon website you will find the following for 125g XTPs
min/max for:
38 is 4.3 - 4.6g Titegroup
with 38+P max listed at 5.0
357 is 6.8 - 7.5 Titegroup
min/max for:
38 is 4.7 - 5.2g Universal
with 38+P max listed at 5.4
357 is 7.1 - 7.6 Universal
Please read several sources prior to attempting any such tactics and you will see there is no overlap. For example, a couple of my 38 and 357 loads, Universal and Titegroup, using 125 JHPs, the +P load is merely a few .1g over max 38, while 357 min is notably higher.
Looking at the Hodgdon website you will find the following for 125g XTPs
min/max for:
38 is 4.3 - 4.6g Titegroup
with 38+P max listed at 5.0
357 is 6.8 - 7.5 Titegroup
min/max for:
38 is 4.7 - 5.2g Universal
with 38+P max listed at 5.4
357 is 7.1 - 7.6 Universal
ReloaderFred
Member
Unless you have access to a fullblown ballistics lab, then follow published reloading data. It's been tested, and retested, and is safe to use, but grabbing numbers out of the air is not.
I've been shooting in a match when the competitor next to me had a fine S&W Model 19 grenade on him. Some pieces are probably still in orbit, but luckily he wasn't hurt.....
Reloading isn't like cooking class, you actually have to be careful.......
Hope this helps.
Fred
I've been shooting in a match when the competitor next to me had a fine S&W Model 19 grenade on him. Some pieces are probably still in orbit, but luckily he wasn't hurt.....
Reloading isn't like cooking class, you actually have to be careful.......
Hope this helps.
Fred
Peter M. Eick
Member
Experimentor,
Nice handle by the way.
I suggest you follow the wisdom of the folks above and don't use 357 mag starting loads in the 38 special. There is much better way. Assuming you have the appropriate handgun like a 38/44 heavy Duty, 38/44 Outdoorsman or 357 Shooting Master, (or any approved 357 magnum) then start low and slowly work up to the 38/44 High Speed loads. Do some searches. Look for 38/44 Smith and Wesson Special, 38/44 High Speed or similar loads.
In my 38/44's, I load up to the original ballistics. I go for about 1175 fps with a 158 out of the outdoorsman and 1150 FPS with a 158 out of the 5" 38/44 Heavy Duty's.
Do some searches, educate yourself on the loads and then work out a procedure that makes sure none of the ammo never goes into a normal 38 special. It is "said" that one rounds would not blow up a standard 38 special but I would not take the chance on it.
38/44 High Speed 158's rival some 357 Magnum commercial loads from big brand names. I believe it was Winchester 158 JHP's that barely broke 1220 fps out of a 6.5" pre-27 while my 38/44 Outdoorsman (6.5" also) was tossing 158's at 1180 fps.
Nice handle by the way.
I suggest you follow the wisdom of the folks above and don't use 357 mag starting loads in the 38 special. There is much better way. Assuming you have the appropriate handgun like a 38/44 heavy Duty, 38/44 Outdoorsman or 357 Shooting Master, (or any approved 357 magnum) then start low and slowly work up to the 38/44 High Speed loads. Do some searches. Look for 38/44 Smith and Wesson Special, 38/44 High Speed or similar loads.
In my 38/44's, I load up to the original ballistics. I go for about 1175 fps with a 158 out of the outdoorsman and 1150 FPS with a 158 out of the 5" 38/44 Heavy Duty's.
Do some searches, educate yourself on the loads and then work out a procedure that makes sure none of the ammo never goes into a normal 38 special. It is "said" that one rounds would not blow up a standard 38 special but I would not take the chance on it.
38/44 High Speed 158's rival some 357 Magnum commercial loads from big brand names. I believe it was Winchester 158 JHP's that barely broke 1220 fps out of a 6.5" pre-27 while my 38/44 Outdoorsman (6.5" also) was tossing 158's at 1180 fps.
Peter M. Eick
Member
Yeah, I agree, you can never have enough reloading books. I am constantly on the prowl for more books and data.
The starting loads for .357 are going to be quite a bit over +P .38 Spl data.
Stick with published .38 Spl or .38 Spl +P data for reloading .38 Spl brass.
Be safe, have fun, and feel welcome to ask more questions. The better thought out, detailed, and well written the questions are, the better the answers will be.
Stick with published .38 Spl or .38 Spl +P data for reloading .38 Spl brass.
Be safe, have fun, and feel welcome to ask more questions. The better thought out, detailed, and well written the questions are, the better the answers will be.
experimentor
Member
thanks for the education
appreciate folks who took the time to educate me, i will get a reloading manual
appreciate folks who took the time to educate me, i will get a reloading manual
BCRider
Member
Your first one is free and only a click away.
http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/
The printed books generally come with a good opening chapter on equipment and setup. So that's a nice bonus for the cost.
http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/
The printed books generally come with a good opening chapter on equipment and setup. So that's a nice bonus for the cost.
Hondo 60
Member
I started with a borrowed Lymans 47.
Got it from the library.
Once I knew I could do this, I bought 2 new ones, Lyman's 49th.
Kept one, donated the other to the library.
Stay safe my friends!
Got it from the library.
Once I knew I could do this, I bought 2 new ones, Lyman's 49th.
Kept one, donated the other to the library.
Stay safe my friends!
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