Shooting .38 SPL in a .357 rifle.

336A · Post by **336A** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 6:39 pm

I' ve read else where, where someone fired some low velocity .38 SPL rounds in they're .357 and damaged the chamber. Basicaly what happened whas the ammo burned a ring in the chamber of his rifle. Thousands and thousand of .38 SPL ammo is fired in .357 handguns every year without ill effect. Has anyone here heard of this before.? If not what could the problem have been in this individuals case.?

RSY · Post by **RSY** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 6:59 pm

Even with handguns, it is SOP to clean the cylinder chambers very well before shooting the longer rounds after shooting some shorties. Otherwise, well, you know the rest of the story...

scott

Tycer · Post by **Tycer** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 8:03 pm

RSY wrote:Even with handguns, it is SOP to clean the cylinder chambers very well before shooting the longer rounds after shooting some shorties. Otherwise, well, you know the rest of the story...

scott

+1

MikeS. · Post by **MikeS.** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 8:46 pm

Ummmm, no I don't know. What happens?

Leverdude · Post by **Leverdude** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 9:07 pm

You can get a buildup of stuff in the chamber ahead of where the 30 case ends. Then when you chamber a 357 that goes to the end it might be tough to chamber & I guess if you did force one in it might raise pressure but I'm not sure.

I know I shot ALOT of 38's thru my Rossi before I started reloading & just cleaned it before useing 357's & it didn't get hurt.

RSY · Post by **RSY** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 10:43 pm

P.S. The same goes for going from .44 Spl to .44 Magnum, too.

gundownunder · Post by **gundownunder** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 11:32 pm

I've heard of this one before, I dont recall the exact details but I think it may have been a lite, ie 125gr bullet, fired at low velocity, possibly a unique powder load.
From what I remember the ring was burnt into the chamber with as little as 100 rounds.
This risk coupled with the crud buildup in the front of the chamber is the reason I only use 357 ammo in my rifle. Of the 1500 or so rounds I've fired through it only 4 rounds have been 38sp and that was only to see how they performed for accuracy in comparison to the 357.

MikeS. · Post by **MikeS.** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 12:27 am

Thanks guys.