.38 or .357 magnum dilemma

Dmitri

Dmitri

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 99.6%
232   1   0
i'm getting a revolver, and have a chance to get the same one in either .38 special, or in .357 magnum... I know that .38 special is a bit more accurate due to smaller recoil, but .357 is more powerful and has a little better effective range . the revolvers chambered in .357 can also shoot .38 rounds, but it wont be as accurate as a .38 round in a .38 chambered revolver due to distance from the bullet to a forcing cone (357 mag. cartridge is longer then .38 spc).... So it makes it really difficult to decide.... :) Please shine some light on to my dilemma. .. :) also... what is the price difference between the two... and is .38 special just as available as 357 mag. ..?

Thanks.
 
i went threw the same dilema, i went with the 357 magnum and i'm very glad i did, one day your going to want to shoot magnum rounds just for the thrill and wont have to buy another gun
 
I got a 38 special, but I want a 357.
My K-frame "Target masterpiece" has the nicest trigger around.
Light,short-clean break.
Sometimes I think it is too light, but it is a target pistol after all.

I would still go with the 357 for the cool factor.
38 special just sounds like a purse gun.
 
I have a Dan Wesson 357 and it shoots both cartridges extremely well. It is a beautiful piece. the .38 special loads shoot very accurately, especially in SA. Go for the 357 ;)
 
In a .357Magnum revolver, like the 686, shooting 38SPL may be less accurate for the reasons the OP stated.

In my Ruger GP100, I could get 1 inch groups shooting 357 mag reloads assembled with 158grnJHP over 14 grains 2400, at 15 meters. My 38spl reloads of 158 grain LSWC commercial cast over 3.7 grain 700x can only do 3 inch groups. I am not sure where the 38's poor accuracy is coming from, might be commercial hard cast bullets are too hard.

Surprisingly both 38 and 357 shoot to the same Point of Aim at 15 meters.

Full 357 mag loads are more accurate than 38 spl but then, I haven't tweaked the 38 spl loads yet, but am confident 38 spl can be close to the 357's accuracy.

Personally, I'll buy a 357 revolver. The slight accuracy penalty with 38's is a small price to pay for the versatility of 38/357.

357 ammo probably cost twice 38 spl but most people seldom shoot 357 anyways.
 
got pretty decent accuracy with both out of my Smith and Wesson I like the 357 rounds better myself but then again I like fairly powerful handguns. 38 special is usually cheaper and easier to find but 357's not too hard to find and not too costly. If you handload you could also load a 357 case with a light load. Versatility is usually a good thing.
 
Buy the .357 Mag.... but my bet is after the novelty of shooting full house .357 Mags wears off 99% of the time you will shoot .38 Special through it.... or if you reload you may use .357 Mag casings but the loads will be .38 Spl specs..... ;)

Been there, done that, got the t-shirt..... :p

2007-10-27_091302_1aCoffee.gif

NAA.
 
.. get the .357

A day at the range, you start off with .38 rounds, and work your way up to the .357s.
I generally shoot them in a 2:1 ratio.

If you buy .357's retail, expect to pay more than you thought they would be.
 
I bought the 357; I find the 38 and the 357 about as accurate out of it. I shoot 5 times as much 38 as 357. I have been working with the 357 with Trailboss (38 velocoties with the bullet closer to the forcing cone), but I did not find it increased the accuracy over the the 38 Special.
 
I was also thinking of getting a GP100 but im also getting into doing idpa right now and someone mentioned that it can be difficult to make power factor with 38spcl compared to using .357 loads , even when you use 38spl+p you may or may not make your power factor unless your reloading specifically for that round.

however if it was just for range and no chance of going to be used in match type shooting , i would still get a .357.
 
Even if you only plan on shooting .38 Special, There is a wider selection of revolvers chambered for .357 than those that are .38 only. Practically speaking, any accuracy loss from firing .38 Special in the longer chamber is minuscule.
 
All revolvers have excessive jump from the chamber to the rifling, it can't be helped, it just the nature of the beast. A cylinder that indexes correctly, a gentle rather than an abrupt forcing cone angle, the selection of a bullet whose diameter matches the chamber throat diameter, and a grip frame that properly fits the hand of the shooter, all have a greater effect on accuracy than does the difference in cartridge length between the .38 Special and the .357 Magnum.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom