38 super rounds? - The Firearms Forum

Radioman909 · 03-31-2011, 08:09 PM

Can I fire 38 Super rounds 80grs. through my Ruger New Model blackhawk .357?

jim brady · 03-31-2011, 10:24 PM

The .38 Super (Automatic) is a totally different breed of cat than the .357 Magnum. Ammunition is NOT inter-changeable between the two. If you mean "Can I use 80 grain cast LEAD bullets intended for the .38 Super for reloading the .357?" the answer is 'yes'. but.... you need to find a source that will give you a safely tested powder charge.

According to my Lyman reloading manual, cast lead bullets for the .38 Super should be .355 to .356 diameter, and those for the .357 should range between .357 to .359.

So, just for the sake of an arguement, if you have cast bullets (unsized) for the .38 Super that wiegh 80 grains and mike out at say - .356 or larger, you could manage to load those into a .357 Magnum case. You'd have to find a source for a safe powder charge, because the lightest cast bullet in my manual calls for the same 92 grain cast bullet in .357 Magnum and .38 Super.

LDBennett · 04-01-2011, 06:56 AM

Radioman909:

It is never wise to experiment with reloading beyond what is in reloading manuals. If you can not find the 80 grain bullet used with 357 cases DON"T DO IT, FOR SAFETY'S SAKE.

If it is commercially loaded ammo in 38 super you are trying to put in a 357 mag guns, DON'T DO IT! Only use ammo that is marked the same as the markings on the barrel of the gun.

If 38 Super 8o grain uses .355 to .356 bullets and 357 mag uses .357 to .359 bullets then the 80 grain bullets in the 357 mag gun will not be adequately guided by the barrel and the accuracy would be terrible. It also will leave lots of lead in the barrel as the gas escapes around the bullet, melts it and leaves some of it in the bore. There is no way using 80 grain 38 Super bullets or ammunition in a 357 mag gun makes any sense at all and it may be unsafe as well.

LDBennett

woolleyworm · 04-01-2011, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radioman909

Can I fire 38 Super rounds 80grs. through my Ruger New Model blackhawk .357?

agree with the other posts, will just add that if it were a SHTF situation and I was out of 357 bullets, I would not worry too much about loading 80gn bullets into 38/357 cases; any other time, there are lots of red flags there. I love my guns and don't want to lead the snot out of them.

03-31-2011, 08:09 PM	#1
Radioman909 Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Left Coast of America Posts: 31	38 super rounds? Can I fire 38 Super rounds 80grs. through my Ruger New Model blackhawk .357? __________________ Don't hold it against me that I am from California, just remember it could happen in your state to! -->

03-31-2011, 10:24 PM	#2
jim brady Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,073	Re: 38 super rounds? The .38 Super (Automatic) is a totally different breed of cat than the .357 Magnum. Ammunition is NOT inter-changeable between the two. If you mean "Can I use 80 grain cast LEAD bullets intended for the .38 Super for reloading the .357?" the answer is 'yes'. but.... you need to find a source that will give you a safely tested powder charge. According to my Lyman reloading manual, cast lead bullets for the .38 Super should be .355 to .356 diameter, and those for the .357 should range between .357 to .359. So, just for the sake of an arguement, if you have cast bullets (unsized) for the .38 Super that wiegh 80 grains and mike out at say - .356 or larger, you could manage to load those into a .357 Magnum case. You'd have to find a source for a safe powder charge, because the lightest cast bullet in my manual calls for the same 92 grain cast bullet in .357 Magnum and .38 Super.

04-01-2011, 06:56 AM	#3
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,714	Re: 38 super rounds? Radioman909: It is never wise to experiment with reloading beyond what is in reloading manuals. If you can not find the 80 grain bullet used with 357 cases DON"T DO IT, FOR SAFETY'S SAKE. If it is commercially loaded ammo in 38 super you are trying to put in a 357 mag guns, DON'T DO IT! Only use ammo that is marked the same as the markings on the barrel of the gun. If 38 Super 8o grain uses .355 to .356 bullets and 357 mag uses .357 to .359 bullets then the 80 grain bullets in the 357 mag gun will not be adequately guided by the barrel and the accuracy would be terrible. It also will leave lots of lead in the barrel as the gas escapes around the bullet, melts it and leaves some of it in the bore. There is no way using 80 grain 38 Super bullets or ammunition in a 357 mag gun makes any sense at all and it may be unsafe as well. LDBennett