.38 Special Gas Rings

[Mikaveli]

Over the last few months, lots have people have told me that I shouldn't shoot too many .38 Special in a weapon chambered for .357 Magnum. The theory being, that the extra 1/8" jump will allow the charge to burn a wear-ring in the chamber...

Now, is this just an old wives tale / urban myth? The reason I ask is:

a) Several manufacturers deliberately market their guns as .38 / .357 (Marlin etc.). If the smaller calibre caused any issue, surely there'd by some small print kicking about?

b) Whilst .38 Special has a slightly longer jump, .357 still has some distance to move before the projectile gets to the cylinder throat - and a .357 is likely to be 3 times hotter. Surely the hotter round would cause more wear longer term?

[Mattnall]

I used to have a .357 revolver and almost exclusively shot 38spl through it. Now with both 38 and 357 the case is a lot shorter than the chamber as it has to rotate and the pointy ends need to be clear of the barrel etc.

Now over many thousands of rounds there was no noticeable wear to the front of the chamber or anywhere else for that matter.
One point to consider is there may be a build up of lead and the end of the chamber so the longer round may not chamber after shooting too much of the shorter stuff. That is easily removed.

I shoot a 44spl/44mag rifle and I reload. I load a light (almost 44spl) loading in to a 44mag case and thereby negating this issue (if it is one even).

So in answer to your question; I don't know but I'd not worry about it too much unless you can see damage occurring.

[Sim G]

No, it's not wear at the front of the special case, but a build up of carbon, unburnt powder and lead/copper. This ring then can become quite pronounce and you will then have trouble loading magnum cased ammo into the chamber unless it's removed. And this ring can become very hard, which makes it a pig to get out!

[Mattnall]

No, it's not wear at the front of the special case, but a build up of carbon, unburnt powder and lead/copper. This ring then can become quite pronounce and you will then have trouble loading magnum cased ammo into the chamber unless it's removed. And this ring can become very hard, which makes it a pig to get out!

Just about what I said, but a bit simpler.

[Mikaveli]

So as long as I continue to keep my chambers spick-and-span after a day at the range there's nothing to worry about then? Good to know.

[Mattnall]

Yeah, go shoot, worry about it later. smile2