Cut down .357 to make .38 Special Short???

[bdj357]

I heard (and have seen) that some individuals have cut down .357 brass to a length similar to a 9mm and put 115 grain (or close) .38 special bullets in them. They claim that the ballistics are that of a 9mm, but can be put in a .38 S&W Special or .357 Magnum.

I know there was once 9mm Federal Rimmed to go in 9mm revolvers, but this is a .38 (.357 caliber) not 9mm (.356) in a cut down .357 case.

I know Magsafe sometimes uses cut down .357 brass in there .38 Special loads.

This would make for excellent ejection from the cylinder with those small rods?

Has anyone heard of this?
Has anyone tried this?
Is it safe?

 

[rimfire_crazed]

I can't see the reasoning behind it since you're talking about handloading and anyone can load .38spl brass anywhere between mouse-fart and +p+ deafening loads and match the ballistics if pretty much any 9mm load.

 

[singlestacksig]

the only reason I could see is making .38 colt ..
but I would not fire 9mm pressures in a 38 colt gun...

 

[bdj357]

It was out of a S&W j-frame. And I believe his purpose was for easy/fast ejection in a powerful package.

 

[Joe Williams]

Just give the ejector a good smack. The idea seems like an awful lot of work for marginal returns, IMHO. Not to mention, you'd have no idea what kind of pressures you are generating without test gear.

 

[Professor Thump]

I think it would be easier if you traded me your .357 brass for my .38 brass.

 

[Magyars]

I have a number of J frames and we load a 158 SWC w/ 2.2 gr of Red Dot....for general plinking it can't be beat....low recoil w/ no pain.....you can shoot them all day.

 

[WhitleyStu]

You will also loose performance the farther the bullet is from the forcing cone. I would stick with standard .38 cases in a .38 chamber.