.357 Luger for high capacity lever gun

[Younggun]

I was told to run for government today. Need to practice fixing things that aren't broke.

 

[orbitup]

And you need to practice your boogeyman speeches on the kids.

 

[Younggun]

Hit a snag.

The web of the case (think that's the word) comes up higher off the base with .357 brass than 9mm brass. Bullets hit it and bulge that case when seating.

 

[Vaquero]

Did some looking at the books over the weekend.
Mine say a 38sw is .001 diameter larger than .38 or .357.
I still think the round would work.

Anyway, holler if you want some load data. But it'll be when I get back home.

 

[Younggun]

Might see if .38 brass will work. Not sure if the brass can handle the higher pressure though.

 

[Vaquero]

Might see if .38 brass will work. Not sure if the brass can handle the higher pressure though.

I believe, but can't confirm right now, that .38spl brass is thicker than 9mm. (wall thickness)
Chamber is handling pressure anyway, not brass. Think 5.56 or .308.

 

[Younggun]

I believe, but can't confirm right now, that .38spl brass is thicker than 9mm. (wall thickness)
Chamber is handling pressure anyway, not brass. Think 5.56 or .308.

True.

 

[DubiousDan]

Did some looking at the books over the weekend.
Mine say a 38sw is .001 diameter larger than .38 or .357.
I still think the round would work.

They should. My step dad used to shoot 38 S&W in his S&W Mod 10 38 Special. Don't know why he did that. He may have thought they were the same.

 

[Vaquero]

They should. My step dad used to shoot 38 S&W in his S&W Mod 10 38 Special. Don't know why he did that. He may have thought they were the same.

I've done it too.
The .38 cal lineage is impressive, and most any rimmed .38 will work in a .38spl or .357 mag.
Bigger variances in rim thickness than any diameter variation.

 

[DubiousDan]

Did you consider the 38 long or short Colt?

.38 Short Colt - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Brass is available at Midway for about $20.

38 Long Colt | Handgun Brass | Brass | Reloading Supplies

 

[DubiousDan]

I've done it too.
The .38 cal lineage is impressive, and most any rimmed .38 will work in a .38spl or .357 mag.
Bigger variances in rim thickness than any diameter variation.

My step dad didn't reload so maybe it was a way to get really light loads.

 

[OldCurlyWolf]

Wadcutters and semi wadcutters don't feed. At all.

Different caliber, BUT, Semi-wadcutters feed just fine in my Henry Big Boy in .44 Mag.

 

[Younggun]

Got back to this little project this afternoon.

Cut down and trimmed 6 fresh .38 Special cases. Trimmed a 9mm case to insure the same length and checked the volume of it vs the trimmed .38 cases by water weight. Came out pretty much even.

Checked the seating depth of a standard 115gr FMJ vs the 125gr lead bullets to be sure I wouldn't be taking up any extra room in the case. Again, close enough to not be an issue with the staring loads I would be using.

I decided to go with Win 231 out of convenience. No other reason. Also using magnum primers. I've got 9mm loads developed for them but prefer standard primers.

Seating to normal depth causes some case bulge that I don't like at this point. They still got a cylinder fine but it could lead to excessive neck tension. By seating ~.1" longer the issue goes away. Basically seating just above the lube ring.

Using a .380 seating die. Because it's slightly smaller than .38/357 dies the walls take the bell out of the case mouth and put some form of a crimp, but not what anyone would call acceptable for most work.

Hopefully I will get a chance to test them soon.

 

[Rebel]

I'm getting really curious about this project of yours...

 

[Younggun]

Basically, I'm taking one round that works just fine, combining it with another that works just fine, and creating one that is a pain to make and will offer no advantage over either cartridge it was based on.

Well, unless somebody decided to make a lever gun for it. Then it should increase capacity by ~2 rounds.

 

[Younggun]

Ran the powder charge up to 3.5gr of Win 231 for a velocity of ~750-800fps.

It's not real consistent at this point due to variations in seating depth. Currently using a .380 seating die and it's more about feel than setting the die. Next step will be 3.9gr and then a slow work up from there.

Absolutely no signs of pressure at this point, pretty mild recoil.

 

[Vaquero]

Ran the powder charge up to 3.5gr of Win 231 for a velocity of ~750-800fps.

It's not real consistent at this point due to variations in seating depth. Currently using a .380 seating die and it's more about feel than setting the die. Next step will be 3.9gr and then a slow work up from there.

Absolutely no signs of pressure at this point, pretty mild recoil.

Test gun?
You may have said, but I don't remember seeing it.

 

[Younggun]

Probably didn't.

Ruger Blackhawk .357, 6" barrel.

 

[Rebel]

Different caliber, BUT, Semi-wadcutters feed just fine in my Henry Big Boy in .44 Mag.

They won't feed worth a damn in a Marlin 1894 Cowboy in .45 Colt