Ruger SP101 .38 Spl to .357 Mag Conversion

[Real Gun]

Allow me to make a suggestion. If you were really deadest on converting it to 357 mag, and trusted the safety of such an endeavor, just buy a cheap 30 dollar lee single stage press and a set of dies. You can reload 357 level loads in 38 brass. There is plenty of load data available for such. You could also look up .38-44 loads. It wouldn't be any less safe than what you were contemplating.

I hope you meant "you can load 38 level loads in 357 brass".

 

[old bear]

Allow me to make a suggestion. If you were really deadest on converting it to 357 mag, and trusted the safety of such an endeavor, just buy a cheap 30 dollar lee single stage press and a set of dies. You can reload 357 level loads in 38 brass. There is plenty of load data available for such. You could also look up .38-44 loads. It wouldn't be any less safe than what you were contemplating.

The old 38-44 load can be equaled by using 12 - 12.5 grains of 2400 with a pistol primer, use at your own risk. Or you can purchase the Buffalo Bore 38-44 outdoorsman ammo at $28.00 a box of 20 rounds.

 

[ljnowell]

I hope you meant "you can load 38 level loads in 357 brass".

No I didn't in any way mean that. I absolute meant that you can load 357 level loads in 38 brass. It's been done for many years by people to save money, using 357 mag guns when they didn't have 357 mag brass

The op seems to feel perfectly safe reaming a 38 cylinder to shoot 357 in it. If he is willing to take that chance it would be a lot easier to just load hotter loads in brass that fits the gun. Either way it's his fingers and eyes he is risking.

 

[Real Gun]

Real Gun - I hope you meant "you can load 38 level loads in 357 brass".

No I didn't in any way mean that. I absolute meant that you can load 357 level loads in 38 brass. It's been done for many years by people to save money, using 357 mag guns when they didn't have 357 mag brass

The op seems to feel perfectly safe reaming a 38 cylinder to shoot 357 in it. If he is willing to take that chance it would be a lot easier to just load hotter loads in brass that fits the gun. Either way it's his fingers and eyes he is risking.

It was my understanding that none of the forums wanted to host any promotion of off-the-charts reloading practices.

 

[carguychris]

I absolute meant that you can load 357 level loads in 38 brass. It's been done for many years by people to save money...

This will result in higher-than-normal chamber pressures due to the reduced case volume. How MUCH higher? Without fancy and expensive pressure-testing equipment, there's no way to know... which is why it's smarter NOT TO TRY IT.

This idea gets even worse if the OP has more than one .38Spl revolver and there's a resultant risk of mixing up the "regular" and "Extra Super Special" reloads... particularly if one of the other guns is something that's not too strong to begin with, such as an old S&W J frame Airweight.

Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.

The op seems to feel perfectly safe reaming a 38 cylinder to shoot 357 in it. If he is willing to take that chance it would be a lot easier to just load hotter loads in brass that fits the gun.

He/she has been advised against trying the first bad idea. Why introduce another?

It was my understanding that none of the forums wanted to host any promotion of off-the-charts reloading practices.

<nods head>

 

[ljnowell]

This will result in higher-than-normal chamber pressures due to the reduced case volume. How MUCH higher? Without fancy and expensive pressure-testing equipment, there's no way to know... which is why it's smarter NOT TO TRY IT.



This idea gets even worse if the OP has more than one .38Spl revolver and there's a resultant risk of mixing up the "regular" and "Extra Super Special" reloads... particularly if one of the other guns is something that's not too strong to begin with, such as an old S&W J frame Airweight.



Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.



He/she has been advised against trying the first bad idea. Why introduce another?

First if all I didn't say "load 357 data in 38 cases" I said 357 level loads. Reading comprehension goes a long way. Though I won't call you stupid as you feel the need to.

Second if the mods don't want to discuss what is considered "unsafe loading practice" then why in the world is this thread even allowed to exist? The thought of rechamberjng a 38 to 357 is. NO MORE DANGEROUS than simply loading 38 brass to 357 levels. It's the exact same concept, either way you are introducing those pressures to a gun not built for it.

I never said it was a good idea, just an easier way to achieve what the OP wants.

 

[Sgt127]

I have two SP101's. actually, one is an SPNY in .38 Special. And, it's the old short frame. I like it because its different. The smaller frames were not made for very long, I would leave it alone. Get some Buffalo Bore hot rounds in .38 and enjoy. I don't think you will gain much ballistically by reaming it out and hurt its (marginal) collectibility.