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plattincreek
02-12-2014, 12:44 PM
The .38 S&W (not .38 Spcl.) uses a .360 or .361 diameter bullet. The Lyman Cast Bullet Manual says to size cast bullets to .360. .38's for either the .38 Spcl. or .357 or commonly sized to either .358 or .359. So, my question: is it safe to use .38 S&W ammo in a .357 magnum revolver or will that .002 size difference cause an unsafe condition? Does anyone have experience with the .38 S&W? Thanks!

btreanor
02-12-2014, 12:48 PM
I doubt that it will cause an unsafe condition because the bullet will swage down to the diameter of the cylinder throat and bore. However, the wider diameter of the cartridge case might make it difficult (or impossible) to chamber the rounds.

Outpost75
02-12-2014, 01:29 PM
The. 38 S&W is larger at the base than. 38 Spl. or. 357. If it goes in all the way, you can shoot it safely, but it also means that your chambers are VERY sloppy!

bhn22
02-12-2014, 01:35 PM
Yup. If 38 S&W fits in your 357 revolver, somethings wrong with the revolver.

Thin Man
02-12-2014, 04:23 PM
Or something's wrong with the ammo. In my first year of handloading I needed to load some 38 S&W brass but had only 38 Special dies, so that is what I used, or at least tried to use. The end results were disappointing and the lesson is still remembered. Now I have a 38 S&W die set and my brass has thanked me for being so considerate.

Thin Man

plattincreek
02-12-2014, 10:37 PM
Thank you for your responses. Your input is greatly appreciated.

Boogieman
02-12-2014, 10:57 PM
Many years ago I had a box of 38S&W that would chamber in my Ruger BH . It took a HARD push to chamber but it shot ok

MtGun44
02-13-2014, 12:41 AM
Cannot fit .38 S&W into a .357 chamber, I would think. Too big, almost certainly.
If it will fit, pressures are way low so no issues with safety.

Bill