.38 or .357 magnum dilemma

[Canuck44]

There will be no difference in accuracy - at least You won't be able to observe anything like that.
It's easy choice - get .357

What he said. The Ruger GP 100 is a good buy, easy to work on and I am finding mine is very accurate from a bench. I haven't noticed any difference in accuracy shooting .39spl loads or .357 mag. Like NAA I shoot a lot more .38spl then .357. To make present PF for IDPA you have to load to +P levels anyway. They are lighter though than full .357mag loads.

Take Care

Bob

 

[Perry Wood]

I have over 30,000 rounds of 38 special through my 686 and it is very accurate. It will shoot just as accurate as a fine tuned PPC revolver in 38 special. If you are worried about the length of the bullet you can reload to 38 specs in a 357 length case. You will get a build up of carbon and lead at the end of the cylinders after 500- 1000 rounds, but that is easily removed by removing the cylinder and giving it a soak for a week in Hoppes number 9. No elbow grease involved.

 

[ampegor]

my 586 with 38 158 gr swc lead will shoot one ragged 1 to 1 1/2" hole at 25 yards off the rest. how much accuracy do you want

 

[sillymike]

The "accuracy" loss from shooting 38spl in a 357 revolver... is pretty much a non-issue.

If (using quality ammunition) you are able to take advantage of the 1/4" difference in groups at 25Y, shooting off hand... You better sign yourself up for the Olympic team... Your aims is better then 99.9% of all the shooters out there.

 

[2katz]

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.....

NAA.

That's what I do with mine, hate the ring the .38 leaves in my cylinder. If you reload use Trail Boss and you can make the .357 as tame as a pussy cat.

 

[Dmitri]

thanks for all the input guys.. two guns i was choosing from, were 8" Python in .38 or 6" Python in .357 magnum.. so i got the 6" one ..

Thanks

 

[tjhaile]

When using the 173 grain Keith bullet in either the N Frame S&Ws (Models 27 and 28) or the Colt Python, it is necessary to use .38 Special cases if you want to crimp at the crimp groove, rather than over the bullet shoulder. This is due to the short cylinders on these guns (the bullet was originally designed for the .38-44).

This load combination has been successfully used for very long range accuracy at distances of several hundred yards.

 

[Boomer]

I'm loading 195 gr Keith style SWC in my M-27 and there is no problem using the crimping groove with .357 brass. I do recall though that when shooting 173s in a Colt Trooper I used .38 brass.

 

[dizzy]

thanks for all the input guys.. two guns i was choosing from, were 8" Python in .38 or 6" Python in .357 magnum.. so i got the 6" one ..

Thanks

You 100000% went the right way, not only did you buy the right calibre, you bought the right gun, welcome to the wheel gun club. You purchased the best 357 ever made!!!!

 

[ben hunchak]

There's prolly a good bit of difference between nose lengths of the different Keith designs, and he's not around to set us straight, as I'm sure he would!

 

[Brutus]

Myself I could not make up my mind!
Started with a Colt Model 357, and soon was inspired to purchase an N-frame 1940 made S&W Heavy Duty in 38 Special.
Then the allure of an adjustable sighted K-frame got hold of me. Another 38, a Model 64-3 with a retro fitted 6 inch barrel and target sights was added to the wheelgun family.

I got some kind of sickness for cool 38s! (If I was 12whatever, I'd have a Model 15 snubby also)

But, I think I'm safe for now......................

 

[ddsmith]

I love the smell...

... this was a good choice on your part, and we are all very proud of you

You will begin to notice that the .357 round is not like other pistol cartridges.

The immediate, significant impression is the sound it makes. The .38 is timid in comparison to the assertive .357 boom. Other shooters will keep their distance, trying to avoid the percussion wave, while admiring the sheer volume of awesome noise and fire-power emanating from your direction.

If you place a .357 round next to a .38, that difference in size is proportional to the amount more wood you will experience. (your own results may vary - upward!).

Most significant for me, however, is the smell. Nothing smells quite like .357 magnum smoke. At the range I frequent, if a coupla lads are letting go at once, the smoke gets pretty thick, and those revolver shooters awaiting their turn, begin to twitch and pace in earnest, muttering incomprehensibly, and rubbing their range bags indecently.

Oh, its a lovely smell... like bunker fuel, pine needles, barbecuing meat, wood smoke in the fall, Makers Mark, or what I imagine I remember the after dinner cigarette used to smell like.

Arr... the .357 is a wonderful thing!

thanks for all the input guys.. two guns i was choosing from, were 8" Python in .38 or 6" Python in .357 magnum.. so i got the 6" one ..

Thanks