I know it's a NONO, but I done it anyway

[RobertN]

You are basically correct.

As I mentioned above, Elmer Kieth and other et-al came up with the 357 and 44 mags by HEAVILY loading 38/44spl. In the end, the case was, made longer to fit only cylinders designed for the higher pressures.

This is one of those instances, where it "should" work, given the round being fired in a 357 chamber. It is though, one of those instances where it "shouldn't" be done because it is poor practice, and involves possibility of dire harm.

I would be real cautious stoking up a 38 with Unique like that. Really nice powder, but fast burning. If nothing else, I would only try one round, and mic the case for expansion, ala Kent Waters procedures for his "Pet Loads". Then proceed once it has been confirmed the case expansion is within limits.

That said, I would err on the side of caution, pull those bullets, and load a more reasonable powder charge. A bullet puller and an hour at the reloading bench is cheaper than a ride to the hospital.

The .357 case is longer only to prevent chambering in a .38 revolver, which is not designed for the pressure of a .357.

.357 loads can be loaded in .38 shells and the only real danger is that someone else will use them in a .38 chambered revolver which can not take the pressure. You should be just fine shooting them in your .357 Ruger.

This is one of those things where the warnings against doing it are dire, but the actual danger is low if you control who has access to the ammunition.

I wouldn't do it because I have been taught it is bad practice, but I would have no hesitation in shooting these rounds in my own .357.

 

[/pine]

Unrelated to the specific topic but a good example of what can happen when proper methods are not observed. I just happened to have these sent to me today...This is/was S&W 629..

 

[CurlyDave]

Prokop:

Well, don't keep us all in suspense. What happened when you touched off that Ruger?

 

[czechsonofagun]

Prokop:

Well, don't keep us all in suspense. What happened when you touched off that Ruger?

I didn't have time to go over all the information; I will most likely pull bullets out. There are several reasons and I will elaborate on it when I have them in clear order.

 

[psj12]

Pine,

I have seen and read many instances where that kind of destruction was caused by detonation of a too light target load. In those cases instead of burning at a controled rate, the powder detonates like a high explosive due to too much empty case space. I am not stating that is what happened in your photos but it does look similar to others I have seen where the shooter insists they were shooting light tatget loads.

 

[RavensRoost]

I didn't have time to go over all the information; I will most likely pull bullets out. There are several reasons and I will elaborate on it when I have them in clear order.

That is the correct choice.

 

[dodge man]

I'm not sure without looking at my reloading manual, but I bet the maximum allowed pressure in a 357 is higher than a 38 special. My guess is, if you had lighter 357 loads, you would be O.K. with the 38 special. On the other hand, if you were loading pretty hot 357 loads, you might have problems. Wouldn't the seating depth be all messed up due to the fact the 357 is longer? I'm not sure about that, it may depend on the type of reloading press you are using.

As far as light loads causing problems, I've read a couple of stories about it and its a myth. Light loads can cause accuracy problems, but no KABOOMS. Most major failures are caused by double charges, obstructed bore and such.

 

[MossRoad]

The only thing that may cause it to work out is the free bore ahead of the 38's in the .357 cylinder will keep the pressure lower than just jumping out into the forcing cone maybe.

That said I wouldn't do it. I have had a couple double charges in my reloading career not fun! One causing a 1911 slide to crack all the way around the front but a 1/16th of an inch at the dust cover from letting the slide come back in my face. be careful! (btw it was a buddys reload and it was his gun with me on the trigger ouch!)

Steve

I DID have the slide of a .25 come off and hit me in the face, right across my upper and lower lips. IT HURT BAD! like a punch in the face. Can only imagine what a larger caliber would have done. :shocked:

 

[Car Doc]

I DID have the slide of a .25 come off and hit me in the face, right across my upper and lower lips. IT HURT BAD! like a punch in the face. Can only imagine what a larger caliber would have done. :shocked:

Ouch glad you arnt a statistic and me too!

The hammer was a commander style, and the hammers serrations made dents at the bottom of the beaver tail hammer well were deep where the hammer over traveled severely. I am 245 lbs and a .45 doesn't budge me much but that was an eye opener to say the least.

The Charles Daly factory armorer that rebuilt it said "don't use re-loads in this pistol!" hahaha right

Moral of the story is be safe loading is all I can say if it doesn't feel right don't do it it isn't worth it even if you get away with it especially something that you are aware of the hidden dangers of missing a double charge etc are always there anyway!!!

Steve

 

[Red Beast]

having read through this, and about to post my thoughts, happy to see the OP came to a sensible conclusion.
Reloaded shells carry a risk; improperly charged reloaded shells carry a higher risk; why risk it?
RB