.355 vs .356 Bullets for 38 Super Reloads?????

[gooddealjunky]

Does anyone know what the parameters are for 38 Super when it comes to bullet diameter. I see some loads’ say .355 and others say .356. Can you use lead in either diameter? I've loaded some .355 9mm lead RN Lasercast bullets that shot extremely well out of my Doug Koenig 38 Super. I know it calls for a .356 but I figure if a .355 shoots well why not use it. Any potential problems with this theory????

Bill

[michael_aos]

I shot a bunch of .356" FMJ through my 9mm's with no ill effects..

[SA Friday]

It really depends on the barrel, but most shoot both 356 and 355 equally well. The thing you MUST look out for is shooting lead that doesn't seal in the barrel. If it doesn't, you will get gasses shearing down the sides of the lead bullet and leaving massive lead deposits in the barrel. FMJ's are not an issue as long as you are getting consistant accuracy.

BTW, if it's comp'ed don't shoot lead in it at all. It will fill the comp with lead deposits and cause a potentially dangerous situation.

[gooddealjunky]

Thanks for the input guys.

[jerrymrc]

I have tried both and my 38 super loves the lasercast .355 bullets. I have tried some cheapie .355 bullets from the show and they look like a shotgun pattern @ 25 yards.

After checking the bullets it looks like they were a little too soft. I am trying to find something other than lasercast to use because of the price.

[k2peaker]

I'm with Friday -- are you sure about lead for .38 super loads? What velocities are you pushing?

I just ask that as I don't know of many USPSA-types that use lead (even the lasercast bullets which are good and a much harder alloy) given the muzzle velocities that we're pushing .38 super to make major. I'm not saying it's impossible, it just requires so much more maintenance than shooting jacketed. Heck, I don't even like the exposed lead base bullets in my raceguns. And, how much are you really saving?
You can get MontanaGold 124gr. JHPs or 121gr. that are very, very accurate bullets for <$300/case. If I remember the case qty correctly, that equates to <7.3cents/bullet (if you are interested, we have a local MG dealer; "Lizard").
I'll use Lasercast in .40 but that's 400fps+ slower, i.e., much less depositing. Even in that case it results in more barrel scrubbing than I really care to do. And, I assume a supported chamber if you're pushing to the 1200-1300+ fps range.
It's been years since I've wet-cleaned one of my super guns' barrels (100K+ rounds). Maybe a boresnake once in awhile... We do have one local shooter who uses lead in 9x23 -- too much smoke and too much maintenance for me.
7.3cents worth.

[k2peaker]

Ohh, thread drift over...

.355 or .356 -- they are used interchangeably. .355 is the traditional 9mm diameter, .356 is the traditional .38 diameter (I believe SAAMI for each caliber). You'll see major bullet manufacturers offering comparable products in either. For example, MontanaGold uses .355 for most the the 9mm/.38 bullets that are most popular. The most accurate .38 bullet that I have shot is the Hornady 121 gr. HAP which is .356 (still fully jacketed). It seems that most the jacketed bullets are typically in .355 and lead often in .356. Will there be an accuracy difference? That's where trying it in your gun is the best bet.