.38 Special +P Loads in a .357 Magnum

Bitumen said:
I'm going to load some 158 gr tonight using HS-6.
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Ya i dunno anything about reloading, so couldnt tell ya. Factory stuff, all my .357s handle that stuff with ease as they should. As long as you know what your doing im guessing reloads will be fine too.
 
I have used lots of +P loads with HS-6 in my Model 66, among other Smiths, so the L-Frame can definitely handle it. Make sure you use magnum primers with the HS-6. I have found loads with regular primers to be wanting in consistency and accuracy; as well as prone to leaving lots of unburned powder in the barrel and on the bench in front of the gun.
 
One small problem.
If you use .38spl extensively you can get a ring in the chambers that can make chambering .357 difficult. Not a huge issue but worthy of mention.
Cheers.
 
Chuckbuster said:
I have used lots of +P loads with HS-6 in my Model 66, among other Smiths, so the L-Frame can definitely handle it. Make sure you use magnum primers with the HS-6. I have found loads with regular primers to be wanting in consistency and accuracy; as well as prone to leaving lots of unburned powder in the barrel and on the bench in front of the gun.
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I only have small pistol primers.
 
9mms2k said:
One small problem.
If you use .38spl extensively you can get a ring in the chambers that can make chambering .357 difficult. Not a huge issue but worthy of mention.
Cheers.
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I read about this on another forum and apparently it's and "old wives' tale." Sorta like how you can't shoot slugs or steel shot through a full choke on a shotgun.
 
I should clarify...small pistol magnum primers. Don't think the loads are unsafe or anything like that with the regular primers. It's just that they are terribly inefficient without the hotter spark of the magnum cap. I was disappointed with these loads until I went the magnum primer route after getting info about this issue on Smith and Wesson Forum.

As for the chamber ring...I shoot mostly .38s out of my .357 revolvers and have yet to experience this. I scrub the chambers during cleaning, but do not obsess over it...and not being possessed of OCD, I do not obsessively clean my guns either.
 
fdc said:
A 158 grain +P load is one of my favourites in my S&W 686, a real paper killer!
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I'm going to be using 6.5 gr of HS-6. According to the Hornady book, that with a 158 gr bullet it is a +P load in .38 Special.
 
Bitumen said:
I read about this on another forum and apparently it's and "old wives' tale." Sorta like how you can't shoot slugs or steel shot through a full choke on a shotgun.
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Flame cutting is an old wives tale.
A dirty chamber isn't. I've seen it first hand.
Cheers.
 
Chuckbuster said:
Yeah, that's the load I use. In fact, I think mine is closer to 7 grains.
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I could probably get away with more than 6.5 grains of HS-6 considering I'm firing them in a .357 magnum revolver. Since I'm new to reloading for handgun and this will be my first time doing +P loads, I think I'll just stick with the book data for now.
 
If you Clean your guns there are no issues using 38 in 357 guns. Just don't shoot 500 rounds of 38 lead then try to. Chamber 357. A quick pass with a bore brush and you are good to go.
 
Bitumen said:
I could probably get away with more than 6.5 grains of HS-6 considering I'm firing them in a .357 magnum revolver. Since I'm new to reloading for handgun and this will be my first time doing +P loads, I think I'll just stick with the book data for now.
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If you also have a .38 Special revolver around, it would be worthwhile to clearly label those loads as +P pressure levels. If that .38 Special revolver is rated to handle +P loads, your still good...
 
OldDude said:
If you also have a .38 Special revolver around, it would be worthwhile to clearly label those loads as +P pressure levels. If that .38 Special revolver is rated to handle +P loads, your still good...
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I do not have a .38 special revolver. Only a .357 magnum revolver.
 
The .38 Special +P loads being made....



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