Lee Loader

Hey guys!

I'm bringing a topic I started over at Rossi Rifleman, to get some more feedback and ideas over here.
Here's the link to the thread I had going on over there - FWIW: http://www.rossi-rifleman.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=5337

So, the big idea is this: In order to get my fussy Rossi 92 .38/.357 to function properly, it likes .357-length rounds best over .38 special - length rounds. A member of the Rossi forum site brought up his solution, in that he loaded his .38 specials to the same COAL as his .357 magnum rounds in order to make his Rossi run right.

This post is a topic starter to get the ball rolling on helping folks out with these issues - and I am looking for "recipes" to reload the .38's to a .357 COAL if that's possible.

Thanks guys!
My dogs are barking and making a commotion, so I have to leave....

Adam

I'm not sure I understand. If 357 Mag cartridges feed why load 38 Spl cartridges to that length. Just load the 357 cartridges to the pressure/velocity you want to achieve.

With the hunting season in progress, I've gotten pretty far behind on RR but I will look at your link.

I posted a reply on RR concerning R92 work but from the reloading end my comments stand. Adjust the load of a 357 Mag case/cartridge and don't bother with 38 Spl.

That would be my solution also if I want 38 spl level loads. If I had a lot of 38 spl brass I look for a trade. Some of the reman operations like Freedom take brass and discount your order if that's of interest.

Make smoke,

My Rossi 92 has no problems with 38 sp loaded to 38 sp COAL. My main load uses a Lee 358-125-RF sized .359.

Ranch Dog wrote:I'm not sure I understand. If 357 Mag cartridges feed why load 38 Spl cartridges to that length. Just load the 357 cartridges to the pressure/velocity you want to achieve.

Exactly. This is what I eventually ended up doing with the Wife's 92' 357. Had no problem with 38 brass as I recall, but because she also fired them in a couple 357mag Cimmeron Thunderers I didn't like the "buildup" at the cyl throat. So got rid of all the 38 brass and as mentioned, "down loaded" the 357 brass to 38spl specs....or there abouts Five gr. Unique under a 160gr. cast was a "nice" load for her to shoot. The "funnest" loads for her in the Thunderers is with Trail Boss powder

Well, it sounds like you all like the idea of downloaded .357 if I want .38 special "power levels" versus tinkering with seating bullets to adjust COAL in a .38 case.

I'm down with that! I'm also thinking: I've got to get more attention on the cartridge guides, smoothing out the metal bits and swapping springs on my 92 also.

There's work to be done!
Thanks for your thoughts, all.

Adam

Just remember Adam that it is too easy to take too much metal off those guides. One file stroke and they are are good, the next they are worthless.

I dismantled a lot of .38 because I wanted the parts and didn't need the .357 mag short OAL (for other reasons).

Yours would be one of the only times I'd suggest underweight bullets.