revenger 473 Posted October 10, 2016 Anyone know if there are any accuracy issues shooting .38 special in a .357 or any negative chamber issues. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Krdshrk 3,878 Posted October 10, 2016 In what gun? .38 Special in a S&W 686 Revolver is just fine... .38 special in a Desert Eagle .357 will have cycling issues... 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
njJoniGuy 2,133 Posted October 10, 2016 .38 spl in a Remlin 1894C lever (18.5" bbl): Pro: Mag tube capacity 10 Con: Groups are huge .357 Mag in the same gun: Pro: Groups are much tighter (not quite match gun tight, but technically it's not a match gun) Con: Mag tube capacity 9 I've loaded .38 spl +P brass to .357 Mag spec and fired it in same gun: Groups are almost as tight as .357 Mag brass Groups are 6" higher than .357 Mag brass Capacity is 10 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GRIZ 3,369 Posted October 10, 2016 Many will say there's a loss of accuracy shooting a 38 in a 357 due to the bigger jump the bullet has to make. I'm not one of them. If this were true in all cases S&W K frame 22s would be the most inaccurate revolver ever made. We all know it's not. I've never seen much, if any, difference in accuracy shooting 38s in a 357. In a rife? there may be some difference. I haven't shot much 38 in my 357 levergun. However, last week I tried some std velocity lead SWCs. They were more accurate than the 357s at 25 yds. If you're shooting 38s at longer ranges you may have accuracy problems as the bullet loses stability as it loses velocity. You will hear people talk of fouling in the cylinder from shooting 38s in a 357. I've never had that problem because I clean my guns after use. 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Smokin .50 1,907 Posted October 10, 2016 Plinking at clay birds on the berm and nailing them at 50 yards 5 out of 6 times shooting .38's in a .357 revolver would tend to make one think they don't have an accuracy problem . Just remember to breathe and squeeze, and "just let the explosion happen"! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
siderman 1,138 Posted October 10, 2016 This is all 38 158gr out of my 18" Henry 357 after first time shooting, Backyard boresight group at 9:00, 50yds. center dot after an adjustment. Went to 357 and didnt get on paper with 5 shots. Was a long day by then,and saved that issue for another day. But when shooting out of a 4" brl, at typical handgun distances i dont get a noticable dif other than a small shift of grouping. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
djg0770 481 Posted October 10, 2016 You will probably get a POA shift between the two but accuracy should be fine Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
revenger 473 Posted October 10, 2016 should have mentioned it will be in a revolver, looking for a .38 target gun and was thinking of possibly making it a .357 to get the versatility. Older model guns as well, colt, smith Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GRIZ 3,369 Posted October 11, 2016 should have mentioned it will be in a revolver, looking for a .38 target gun and was thinking of possibly making it a .357 to get the versatility. Older model guns as well, colt, smith 4" 357 revolver, best do it all handgun IMO. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JimB1 555 Posted October 11, 2016 I haven't noticed any particular loss in accuracy using 38 in my S&W 627 or my Ruger Match Champion. You do need to adjust for bullet drop over distance if you swap back and forth with 38/357 and cleaning becomes more important as the jump to the forcing cone is greater meaning more buildup around there and rings in the cylinder from the shorter cases. Long as you keep it reasonably clean, I don't think there will be any accuracy issues. -Jim Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
njJoniGuy 2,133 Posted October 11, 2016 Tip: Use a .40 cal cleaning brush to clean the cylinder bores Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PeteF 1,044 Posted October 11, 2016 Tip: Use a .40 cal cleaning brush to clean the cylinder bores Also use a belled brass 357 case to remove 38 cylinder build up. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GRIZ 3,369 Posted October 11, 2016 Also use a belled brass 357 case to remove 38 cylinder build up. If you find yourself having to do this you're not cleaning properly. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pizza Bob 1,488 Posted October 11, 2016 should have mentioned it will be in a revolver, looking for a .38 target gun and was thinking of possibly making it a .357 to get the versatility. Older model guns as well, colt, smith No finer .38 Spl then a S&W Model 14 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
revenger 473 Posted October 12, 2016 currently I have a model 15 4" and would like to add a 6" target model. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites