Is it safe to switch between 357 Magnum and 38 Special in a lever gun?

Published on October 16, 2024
Duration: 10:25

Switching between .38 Special and .357 Magnum in a lever gun can cause reliability issues due to fouling rings. Extensive use of .38 Special creates a carbon/lead ring that can cause .357 Magnum cases to stick or split. For competition, using downloaded .357 Magnum loads like Magtech Cowboy Action avoids this. If .38 Special must be used, thorough cleaning is essential before returning to .357 Magnum.

Quick Summary

It is safe to shoot .38 Special in a .357 Magnum lever gun, but extensive use creates a fouling ring. This ring can cause .357 Magnum cases to stick or split. For competition, consider downloaded .357 Magnum loads like Magtech Cowboy Action to avoid this issue.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Intro: Dead Eye Division & Lever Guns
  2. 01:45The Fouling Ring Problem Explained
  3. 04:21Ammunition Recommendation: Magtech Cowboy Action
  4. 06:01Live Fire Comparison: .38 Spl vs .357 Mag
  5. 08:06Final Advice: Standardize on .357 Mag Cases

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to shoot .38 Special in a .357 Magnum lever gun?

Yes, it is generally safe to shoot .38 Special in a .357 Magnum chamber. However, extensive use of .38 Special can create a fouling ring that may cause issues when switching back to .357 Magnum cartridges.

What is the fouling ring issue when switching from .38 Special to .357 Magnum?

Shooting shorter .38 Special rounds in a .357 Magnum chamber leaves a carbon and lead fouling ring at the mouth of the chamber. This ring can prevent .357 Magnum cases from fully chambering or cause them to stick or split upon firing.

What ammunition is recommended to avoid fouling issues in cowboy action shooting?

For cowboy action shooting with lever guns, using downloaded .357 Magnum loads like Magtech Cowboy Action is recommended. These use the full-length .357 Magnum case but have reduced velocities, preventing the fouling ring problem.

How does .38 Special velocity compare to .357 Magnum for target engagement?

A standard .38 Special load might travel around 800 FPS, which may not be enough to reliably spin a spinner target. A downloaded .357 Magnum load at 1200 FPS provides significantly more energy and easily spins the target.

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