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357 / 38 ?

cbxjeffcbxjeff Member Posts: 17,599 ✭✭✭✭
edited March 2002 in Ask the Experts
I just purchased my first wheel gun, a SP 101 Ruger. I have read on this board that I can use 38 special ammo in this 357 Mag gun. There must be something that I don't understand with ammo numbers. I thought that a 357 Mag had a dia. of .357", and a 38 Spec. a dia. of .380. Where did I go wrong here?Thanks,
cbxjeffIt's too late for me, save yourself.
It's too late for me, save yourself.
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Comments

  • badboybobbadboybob Member Posts: 1,658 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    They use the same diameter bullets and casings, but the casings of the .357 are longer. Use .38 ammo for practice (it's cheaper) and .357 for carry/self defense.
    PC=BS
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  • Gordian BladeGordian Blade Member Posts: 1,202 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    badboybob, I have a question about practice versus self-defense rounds. If you practice with .38 and then you need to fire .357 for self-defense, won't it throw your aim off because of the extra kick you aren't used to?BTW, cbxjeff, .357 and .38 are only approximate diameters, not exact. My understanding is that the diameters of both are the same for all practical purposes. What really blows my mind is that with the Ruger Blackhawk you can put a second cylinder in that shoots 9mm through the same gun that normally shoots .38/.357 -- 9mm = .354 in.[This message has been edited by Gordian Blade (edited 03-19-2002).]
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  • nmyersnmyers Member Posts: 16,886 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Absolutely. There is also variation in point of impact with different loads of the same caliber.That's why you always need to do SOME practicing with your carry ammo.Neal
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  • JustCJustC Member Posts: 16,056 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    not at close range, or at least not enough to NOT hit center mass. I use the 38spcl for plinking and the 357 occasionaly just to keep myself accustomed to the recoil and impact trajectory.
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  • gap1916gap1916 Member Posts: 4,977
    edited November -1
    The american naming convention is off the wall to say the least. .357 is indeed the size in inches. The 38cal was named for the 38 grains of black powder to propell it. In reality the 38cal and the .357 are 36 calibur rounds. Just to confuse you more the 380 round is a 9mm short or .355 inches.
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  • S&W ManS&W Man Member Posts: 208 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    It can be even more confusing. in the .357 diameter bullet exists the following calibers: 357 Maagnum 38 Special 38 Long Colt 38 US Service Cartridge (same as 38 Long) 38 Short Colt In the .360 exist the following: 38 S&W 38 Colt New Police 38 Super Police.How it works is basically this. In the .360 rounds listed they are all different names for the SAME caliber. In the .357 diameter, the CASE gets shorter as you go down the list above with the exception of the 38 Long and the 38 US Service Cartridge which are exactly the same. Any of these will fit the caliber above but not the one below. WORD OF WARNING, IN OLDER GUNS WITHOUT COUNTERBORES YOU CAN ACTUALLY PUT THE WRONG CALIBER IN A GUN. For example, a Colt Army in 38 US Service CAN chamber a 357 magnum. I know for fact as I have one and have tried. NEVER shoot too big a caliber as that spells trouble. BE VERY CAREFUL to KNOW what interchanges with what in older guns. In the newer guns with the counterbores, You should not be able to chamber a larger caliber. I believe, but am not sure, that the switch to the 38 was for the change from Blackpowder. Of all of the cartridges listed above, the only ones I know of a blackpowder load ever being made for is the 38 S&W (.360).
    The second admendment GUARANTEES the other nine and the Constitution!
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  • Jon G.Jon G. Member Posts: 20 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    When running 38's in a 357, I have been told to make sure that the bullets are fully jacketed, because the cartridge is slightly shorter in a 38, you'll get some expansion of the bullet in the cylinder and before it hits the opening in the barrel if you don't use FMJs.Just what I heard, I make no claims as to its truth.
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  • cbxjeffcbxjeff Member Posts: 17,599 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Is this a great board or what! Thanks for all the info guys.
    cbxjeffIt's too late for me, save yourself.
    It's too late for me, save yourself.
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  • gravediggergravedigger Member Posts: 945 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Not that this really has any relevance, but the story I heard (in a CCW class)was, they named the .38 Special(.357 diameter), .38 to capitalize on the immense popularity of the .38 Long? Colt round.-Marcus
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  • S&W ManS&W Man Member Posts: 208 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The concept that using 38 special lead bullets in a 357 works fine so long as you remember two things. 1) Because of the different case legenth, cleaning and maintaince becomes even more critical so there are no leading prblems and 2) DON'T use hot or high power lead loads as they will lead faster.IF the storuy of the 38 spl in.357 named for the popularity of the 38 long colt in.357 diameter, Where did the 38 long colt get the "38" from?
    The second admendment GUARANTEES the other nine and the Constitution![This message has been edited by S&W Man (edited 03-20-2002).]
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