38spl in 357 desert eagle?
- Thread starter eg23
- Start date
Yeah.. with shooting .38 specials out of a .357 revolver, things are different. Cartridges are already loaded in place in the cylinder, so there's no dependancy on cartridge size for cycling. Even so, the shorter cartridges will leave rings inside your cylinder after a time
The advice given to me recently was:
if you're going to shoot .38 specials, buy something chambered for .38 specials, or reload .357 cartridges with a lighter load.
The advice given to me recently was:
if you're going to shoot .38 specials, buy something chambered for .38 specials, or reload .357 cartridges with a lighter load.
I believe, as someone mentioned, the problem is with the cartridge length more than anything. In a revolver, the cartridge is already in the cylinder and doesn't need to feed into it, while a semi-auto pistol is designed for a certain length of cartridge.
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I don't see there being any large safety issues, just function ones. Now if you're trying to stuff .357's in a .38, that's a safety issue to me.
Now on the desert eagle note, they typically require even .357 loads on the "warmer" side to be happy, so no .38 load will likely due. If you have one, you could try downloading .357 cases, see how mild you can go and retain function. Would be an interesting experiment.
Now on the desert eagle note, they typically require even .357 loads on the "warmer" side to be happy, so no .38 load will likely due. If you have one, you could try downloading .357 cases, see how mild you can go and retain function. Would be an interesting experiment.
eg23 said:silly question from a newbie....can't you fire 38spl rounds out of a desert eagle that is chambered for 357mag? i know with revolvers you can. please be kind i just want to learn...
DON’T do that, since the most of 38 Special ammo have lead bullets. Desert Eagle is for jacketed bullets ONLY. Lead bullets will damage its gas operating system. Ask my friend how he learned this lesson…
Is everyone missing the point? You have given the right answer (no) for the wrong reasons.
The reason why you can fire 38 Special in a 357 Magnum revolver is that revolvers do not require a certain cartridge length (other than the length of the cylinder). There is no stepping between the cylinder and the barrel that would affect bullet flight.
In semi autos the barrel is most often stepped up from the chamber by roughly the thickness of the case. The case of a 357 Magnum cartridge in a 357 Magnum barrel will come up to the 'step' so that the projectile is aligned with the tighter beginning of the barrel.
So firing 38's runs the risk of hitting the step, and although the results will not be deadly, it is a good way to ruin the chamber of your pistol.
The reason why you can fire 38 Special in a 357 Magnum revolver is that revolvers do not require a certain cartridge length (other than the length of the cylinder). There is no stepping between the cylinder and the barrel that would affect bullet flight.
In semi autos the barrel is most often stepped up from the chamber by roughly the thickness of the case. The case of a 357 Magnum cartridge in a 357 Magnum barrel will come up to the 'step' so that the projectile is aligned with the tighter beginning of the barrel.
So firing 38's runs the risk of hitting the step, and although the results will not be deadly, it is a good way to ruin the chamber of your pistol.
Bullet Caster
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The main problems with using 38 Spl in the 357 mag Desert Eagle is:
1) You will plug up you gas port if you use lead bullets.
2) Your pistol won't funtion properly because of the lack of pressure generated by the lesser cartridge. the pistol won't cycle.
3) Even if you use 38 spl cartridges with jacketed bullets your point of impact on target will be much higher because of the slower velocities generated by that cartridge.
4) Unless you scrub the barrel to remove the ring of residue the 38 spl will leave in the chamber, you may have problems feeding 357 cartridges in your pistol.
1) You will plug up you gas port if you use lead bullets.
2) Your pistol won't funtion properly because of the lack of pressure generated by the lesser cartridge. the pistol won't cycle.
3) Even if you use 38 spl cartridges with jacketed bullets your point of impact on target will be much higher because of the slower velocities generated by that cartridge.
4) Unless you scrub the barrel to remove the ring of residue the 38 spl will leave in the chamber, you may have problems feeding 357 cartridges in your pistol.
