Nolehoe

Is it safe to load a .38 special load in a 357 magnum case, to be shot in a 357 magnum pistol.

bigcountry

Some powders yes, and some no. Generally its safe for real fast powders like bullseye and unique. But even those you might want to bump up a grain or so. Midrange powders can burn incorrectly and require a certain pressure or might have a bullet only make it part ways in the barrel.

There are tons of low recoil 357mag loads that duplicate 38spl. Just go to alliant powder or hodgdon's webpage.

Nolehoe

A little more information-I'm using Hodgdon TiteGroup. the difference between the 357 load and 38 special load is 2.3g, 357 load is 6.3g and the 38 load is 4.0.

bigcountry

I wouldn't mind shooting that load. Especially with titegroup. Its going to be slower in the 357 case due to the more buring space. I can't say I have tried this one, but I know for Unique, alliant says you can download it more than 30%.

Nolehoe

Well, decided to play safe and load at the 6.3g min per the Hodgdon web site. this was for a 140g Leadsafe BTW. Appreciate the response, I just figured better safe than sorry.

bigcountry

Well, the only real bad thing that can happen with a fast powder like that is, you can get a bullet that gets caught in the barrel, and then fire another one after that. I have had inconsistent burn with H110 before with this. And learned the hard way. Thank God in heaven I didn't fire another shot but looked over the gun.

Your doing the right thing.