38 special and other multi cartridge firearms

[4t5]

Does the 38 special suffer any accuracy potential fired from a .357 revolver as opposed to a .38 special only revolver ? The firearms are the same make and model , say , s&w k frames. I tend to buy the mag versions knowing I can shoot the lesser cartridges.

[Bronco]

Cannot answer your question for sure! I am inclined to think that the longer jump would be detrimental to accuracy! I only reload mag. cases from mild to hot to alleviate the jump and to not have to readjust the dies or buy a second set!! Me being lazy and cheap

[GunnyMack]

One way to find out, go shoot groups with both specials and magnums and post your results.
It would certainly be informative and I bet a lot of us here would find the results interesting.

[Pisgah]

I have owned .357 revolvers that were MORE accurate shooting .38s -- and some that were less. So the answer to your question is that your gun will do what it'll do.

[samsi]

I have owned .357 revolvers that were MORE accurate shooting .38s -- and some that were less. So the answer to your question is that your gun will do what it'll do.

This right here. I've got an old Security Six with...generous chambers. It does fine with .357, but simulates a shotgun with 38 Special.

[Griff]

I have 3 revolvers in .38/.357 and 2 carbines. A Colt SAA, a EMF/Jager SA clone and a S&W mdl 65. The 2 rifles are Rossi 20" carbines. I've never owned a .38 only revolver or rifle. I've always read & been told that the little bit of extra bullet jump from the Special case will degrade accuracy a bit. How much has always been undefined. I'm sure firearm and ammo quality affect any difference that might exist.

[4t5]

I’m not a good enough shot to really test such things , I guess a ransom rest would be in order .

[Ysabel Kid]

My Dad's old service revolver was a S&W Model 19 Combat Magnum. I would often get one-ragged hole groups with .38 wadcutters. The revolver just ate them perfectly.

[JMick]

I used to have a Mod. 10 4" taper barrel and fixed sights that loved a 158 swc. It would shoot into a quarter all day if I did my part. It was my squirrel and rabbit gun.
I really miss that one.

[44shooter]

I have never seen a practical difference. I don’t buy the excessive freebore theory. Any bullet from a revolver has to clear the chamber, bridge the gap, and enter the forcing cone before it engages the rifling. If the ammo and the gun is decent, an extra tenth doesn’t matter. If it were a thing, wadcutters would never be accurate. I have seen more differences in accuracy among brands, weight and bullet types than I have seen between 45 Schofield/Colt, 44 mag/special, or 357/38.

[ikocher]

I can't say that I can give you personal experience yet on the matter because I'm just getting ready to start full power 38 Special / 357 Mag hand loading but what I can give you is what Elmer Keith found.

Back when 357 Mag was being developed, Mr. Keith had noted that his handloads of the .38 Special based 38/44 were more accurate than the 357 Magnum loads sent to him for testing of what would become the N frame Model 27. What I take away from that is if you put in the time and effort, a 357 magnum will be just as accurate with the right 38 Special load.

Additionally, the longer chamber does give you leeway to run longer, heavier bullets (like a Keith 173 gr cast) than you would normally be able to run in a regular 38 Special chamber. This is how I do my 200 grain 38 Special subsonic rifle loads.

I hope that helps.

[gcs]

My security six couldn't be more accurate with 38 wadcutters... scored many perfect qualifications with that gun and whatever wadcutters they got cheap...

[4t5]

I also have a security six ( low back ) version and it’s a good shooter, got some mesquite grips for it from Texas grips, they are hand filling and seem to soak up recoil , can highly recommend them.