38's in a 357 Rifle? - The Firearms Forum

LDJ · 07-31-2012, 09:56 AM

A friend just ask me if he could shoot 38 colt in his 357 Rifle, and he needed some reloading data. I gave him all the reloading data I had and I gave him a reloading book for 38 special I had. But I did not know if the 38 Colt would work.

Alpo · 07-31-2012, 10:07 AM

It will chamber and fire with no problems.

In a single-shot it will be fine.

In a repeater, like a lever or a pump, because of the shortness of the cartridge it probably will not feed from the magazine.

gdmoody · 07-31-2012, 10:09 AM

From experience, Alpo is right about them not feeding very good. They shoot just fine through Winchester 94 but feed terribly.

Twicepop · 07-31-2012, 10:21 AM

If this is what was/is called the .38 Long Colt cartridge, it can according to the book Cartridges Of The World, be fired in .38 Special guns. It can because of it's shorter length leave a carbon ring in the chamber that might make shooting the longer cartridges difficult to chamber and extract. Same as using the .38 Special in .357 Magnum chambered guns. If he or you are planning to reload for this .38 Colt, it has different loading data than the .38 Special. There is also a .38 Colt Automatic cartridge that is the predecessor to the .38 Super, these shouldn't be fired in this rifle.

those who beat their guns into plowshares, will plow for those who didn't

carver · 07-31-2012, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LDJ

A friend just ask me if he could shoot 38 colt in his 357 Rifle, and he needed some reloading data. I gave him all the reloading data I had and I gave him a reloading book for 38 special I had. But I did not know if the 38 Colt would work.

You got some good advice here. Though the .38 will shoot in a .357mag gun, it will leave a deposit that will, if left in the gun, make chambering the longer round hard, if not impossible.

aa1911 · 07-31-2012, 12:06 PM

I avoid 38's in my magnums also; a little here and there won't hurt anything but regular use is not recommended.

Also, even though a pistol round will shoot in the rifle, there is rifle specific loading data that will greatly improve performance and velocity.

LDJ · 07-31-2012, 03:38 PM

This is like shooting 45's in my 454 Redhawk. The cylinder has to be cleaned very good before I shoot the 454.
Thanks for the input. I will pass all the info on to my friend.

07-31-2012, 09:56 AM	#1
LDJ V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Oklahoma. USA Posts: 78	38's in a 357 Rifle? A friend just ask me if he could shoot 38 colt in his 357 Rifle, and he needed some reloading data. I gave him all the reloading data I had and I gave him a reloading book for 38 special I had. But I did not know if the 38 Colt would work. -->

07-31-2012, 10:07 AM	#2
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,662	Re: 38's in a 357 Rifle? It will chamber and fire with no problems. In a single-shot it will be fine. In a repeater, like a lever or a pump, because of the shortness of the cartridge it probably will not feed from the magazine. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

07-31-2012, 10:09 AM	#3
gdmoody Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northeast Georgia Contributor Posts: 6,334	Re: 38's in a 357 Rifle? From experience, Alpo is right about them not feeding very good. They shoot just fine through Winchester 94 but feed terribly. __________________ NRA Endowment Member GeorgiaCarry.Org Member Retired US Army Postal Worker Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to take an ass whoopin'.....author unknown (but obviously brilliant)

07-31-2012, 10:21 AM	#4
Twicepop Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: NW Ohio Posts: 581	Re: 38's in a 357 Rifle? If this is what was/is called the .38 Long Colt cartridge, it can according to the book Cartridges Of The World, be fired in .38 Special guns. It can because of it's shorter length leave a carbon ring in the chamber that might make shooting the longer cartridges difficult to chamber and extract. Same as using the .38 Special in .357 Magnum chambered guns. If he or you are planning to reload for this .38 Colt, it has different loading data than the .38 Special. There is also a .38 Colt Automatic cartridge that is the predecessor to the .38 Super, these shouldn't be fired in this rifle. those who beat their guns into plowshares, will plow for those who didn't

07-31-2012, 12:06 PM	#6
aa1911 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 3,113	Re: 38's in a 357 Rifle? I avoid 38's in my magnums also; a little here and there won't hurt anything but regular use is not recommended. Also, even though a pistol round will shoot in the rifle, there is rifle specific loading data that will greatly improve performance and velocity. __________________ "Loud noises don't end gunfights.... well placed shots do."

07-31-2012, 03:38 PM	#7
LDJ V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Oklahoma. USA Posts: 78	Re: 38's in a 357 Rifle? This is like shooting 45's in my 454 Redhawk. The cylinder has to be cleaned very good before I shoot the 454. Thanks for the input. I will pass all the info on to my friend.