38 loads in a Rossi Lever Rifle ?

[BACKTOSHOOTING]

So I got my 357 loads tested with W296 and now i'm ready to start 38 special loads and just read a thread about crimping for the 38 and now i'm confused.
Should I roll crimp or should I taper crimp firmly ?
Also can I run a fairly hot load with the 38 with any of the powders I have, 231, WSF, Tite group, and Bullseye and if so how many grains can I go up to.

Thanks, Steve

[Calamity Jake]

38sp loades usualy won't cycle thru a rossi chambered for 357 as the OAL is to short. You can seat the boolits
out to 357 minimum length and thay should feed/function ok, taper or roll crimp makes no difference it's your choice.
Save your hot loads for 357 brass.

[Mlcompound]

I haven't had my r92 long but it hasn't had any trouble with 38 special except the occasional issue with my 105 swc. I have run a few hundred 125 rf and 158 swc both seated at the crimp groove. The rossi is known for random issues between rifles and you might need to do some 'smithing. Check out rossi-rifleman.com for more information on that particular rifle.

[10x]

38sp loades usualy won't cycle thru a rossi chambered for 357 as the OAL is to short. You can seat the boolits
out to 357 minimum length and thay should feed/function ok, taper or roll crimp makes no difference it's your choice.
Save your hot loads for 357 brass.

I have a couple of Rossi 92 rifles in 357 /38 special and 38 cycles just fine through them.
One Rossi has had at least 2500 158 gr. 38 special semi wad cutters through it and I have no recollection of a jam.

[KCSO]

Boy I sure havent had problems running 38 specials in a Rossi, from a 1970 gun to a 2012 gun. I roll crimp my loads and crimp in the groove of the Lee 158 rnfp. My favorite load for plinking and small game is 3.0 of Bullseye and I have run 10.0 of 2400 for use in both the lever gun and the M and P. I would suggest if you have problems cycling 38's you have your gun slicked up some. The new guns are marked "for 38 spec-357 mag.

[Doc65]

I know this isn't quite the same, but I just ran across a VERY slightly used Miroku/Winchester 92 short rifle yesterday & couldn't help myself. Anyway, right on the barrel it says 357 ONLY, well of course I "know" that can't be right, so I proceed to feed it some 38's with 125 RF boolits in them, NO go, I had the same issue with a Rossi, so I worked them all out & stuck 7-8 of the 122 TC boolits that I also have(originally a 9mm casting, but sized 359 they shoot great) those are somewhat better, but still dubious. Even some of the 357's I have are a bit questionable, but if you slow down the cycleing a bit they work fine...

[fecmech]

I have 2 Rossi 92's, both feed .38's and .357's with SWC's,RN's and RNFP's with no problems. These are both Braztec Rossi's purchased in the past 3-4 years.

[mdi]

Stay with the basics 'till there is a need to change; roll crimp revolver bullets (except lightly loaded wadcutters in .38). I'm sure that when a gun is designed, it will be designed with factory ammo in mind and all the revolver ammo I've purchased has roll crimps (but I haven't purchased any factory fodder in many years, 20+ years?). Roll crimp your bullets in the cannalure or crimp groove and I'm sure you won't have any problems (set back, feeding, etc.).

[runfiverun]

my 357 rossi won't feed most 38's either.
i say most because i haven't tried everything yet.
i could modify the feed rails too i guess [shrug]
but i just worked up a very nice load in 357 cases then made 3,000 of them.

the leverguns are a separate issue than the 38 special you read about before.
you need a roll crimp on them to keep the boolits in place from recoil and for feeding.[this is just a light roll over in the groove]
if you look at old black powder loads you will see no roll crimp or even a crimp groove on the boolit themselves.
the boolits sat on top of the powder charge and couldn't be seated any deeper.

[williamwaco]

I wouldn't offer an opinion on the feeding issue but most .38 special loads feed fine in my Winchester 92.
I would recommend a very light roll crimp.

Pix:

http://reloadingtips.com/how_to/crimping_revolvers.htm

Scroll down to the 9th photo.