Ammo for steel carbine 357

[bluestringer]

I just purchased a used Steel carbine in 357. It is only about a year and a half old and came with the original box and manual. Reading through the manual I noticed it said the gun would not feed 38 special 110, 125 130 gr. 38 special loads reliably. Has anyone had difficulty with these loads? I was hoping to be able to shoot 38 special in this rifle. Thanks.

I'm a new member, intro in the introduction section.

[Mistered]

Has anyone had difficulty with these loads?

First welcome to the forum from Wickiup Junction, Oregon!

I have no problems with .38 Spcl. in my BBB .357 and most others do not either.

The lightest bullets I have ever loaded are 125 grain in .38 SPcl. and they cycled just fine.

As with anything the manufacturer is taking the 'safe' route with their recommendation - kind of like when most do not recommend reloaded ammo in their guns.

Load up a tube full of .38s , make sure the muzzle is pointed in a safe direction and cycle 'em through. See how it goes anyway. RN bullets will most likely cycle the best but I have no problems with FN or SWCs as well.

[Ojaileveraction]

Sometimes I have to kind of "double clutch" the lever with 38's but some 357's also.
Don't even think about anymore.

[bluestringer]

Thanks. I found a thread on this topic and most say theirs will feed the 38's ok. There was also recommendations to just load up 357 brass using 38 load data to counteract the problem if I have it. Since I do reload I can certainly do that. I will probably be shooting mostly 357's anyway.

[CT_Shooter]

Since I reload .357s, I don't shoot .38s in it any longer, but when I first got my Brass BB, I did shoot quite a few just to test the rifle. They were 110 and 130 grain rounds. I even filled the magazine tube with a mix of .38s with .357s a few times and they all fed and fired smoothly. I'd say give it a try. Every rifle is a bit different, so let us know how you make out.

I just purchased a used Steel carbine in 357. It is only about a year and a half old and came with the original box and manual. Reading through the manual I noticed it said the gun would not feed 38 special 110, 125 130 gr. 38 special loads reliably. Has anyone had difficulty with these loads? I was hoping to be able to shoot 38 special in this rifle. Thanks.

I'm a new member, intro in the introduction section.

[JEBar]

I was hoping to be able to shoot 38 special in this rifle. Thanks.

do you have the option of reloading your own ammo .. ..

[Mistered]

Since I do reload I can certainly do that. I will probably be shooting mostly 357's anyway.

Problem solved.

No reason to load .38s unless you have dedicated .38 Spcl. guns (I have two) so I load .38s as well.

Heck only one time did I actually shoot .38s out of my Henry. I ran out of .357 and had about a half box of .38s so I finished them off in it!

[Rifletom]

JEBar, yes, he mentioned he does handload, so, he ought to be fine.

[JEBar]

JEBar, yes, he mentioned he does handload, so, he ought to be fine.

thanks , I completely overlooked that post

Thanks. I found a thread on this topic and most say theirs will feed the 38's ok. There was also recommendations to just load up 357 brass using 38 load data to counteract the problem if I have it. Since I do reload I can certainly do that. I will probably be shooting mostly 357's anyway.

I do recommend loading 357 brass with 38 power loads .... they work well in our BBS .... we have fired other grain bullets in ours but find ours prefers 158's .... if you aren't familiar with Rose Distribution (link below), we've found they offer good prices on good quality bulk bullet buys ....

http://www.rozedist.com/mm5/merchant.mv ... de=ZBJ-38S

[BigAl52]

357 in a levergun is just plain fun and being able to reload gives you all kinds of choices. I like Tim need to double clutch the lever once in a while but I pay no attention to that anymore. Mine will also shoot and cycle 38 special. I load both because I have an older Smith and Wesson Model 14 target gun I shoot once in a while.

[Mistered]

Talking about cartridge feeding got me to thinking about one round of .38 Short Colt I have in a box on my loading bench.
I went and got it, put it in the load tube of my BBB and operated the action and it cycled, chambered and ejected without a hitch - and these are short rounds!