38 Special Loads in 357 Magnum Cases?

[TMan]

It is kind of foggy, but I thought I read somewhere that reducing the amount of powder in reloading can cause problems. It has something to do with it creating higher pressures, but I really don't understand that unless it is because of all the extra air/space that should have been filled with powder, or where the powder was in the case.

If this is bovine feces, couldn't I use 38 Special loads in 357 Magnum cases? This would eliminate that extra space in the front of the 38 Special cases that fills with carbon.

["DoubleAction"]

TMan; I once opposed the use use of 38 specials in .357 magnum revolvers because of the extra space between the bullet and the forcing cone. I have since found many to have used 38 specials in the magnum revolvers without complaints.
Recoil issues in using the 357 magnum cartridges by going to the 38 special has been with us for a very long time. I once fired lead wadcutter 357 magnums, which gave me the less felt recoil than the jacketed hollow points. Since the magnums are more noted for their slower burning powder rates, I would seem to think as this is as one contributor for the more felt recoil. Since the lead wadcutters and round nose are loaded more for use in target applications, it would also seem that these would have energy characteristics closer to 38 specials while, sometimes, maintaining higher chamber pressures.
If you are contemplating reloading your own 357 magnum cases to that of 38 special type loads, I recommend that you obtain The Handloaders Guide for smokeless powders by IMR.
One load they have listed for the 357 magnum is a reduced load of powder, using "Hi-Skor" 700-X, which displays a bullet velosity of 720 fps, a chamber pressure of only 13100, while using a 148 gr. Speer LWC from a 6" barrel. This load are among a few which displays chamber pressures found to be lower than many 38 special loads. I left out the weight of powder used for obvious reasons.

["DoubleAction"]

IMR POWDER COMPANY

14146 Spoonbill Lane
Clearwater, FL 33762
[phone]

Rifle, Shotshell and Handgun Powders

IMR Handloaders' Guide No Charge

www.reload-nrma.com/