[Trez]

I just got a set of .38 spl/.357 dies and was wondering if I could use them to load other .38 calibers? Like .38 S&W, .38 Short/Long Colt, .38 ACP, etc...

 

[c3shooter]

You DO know that .38 Special is not a .38 bullet, right? And that .38 S&W is fatter than a .38 Special.

There are SOME "38's" that can be reloaded with those dies, some that cannot. Not all 38s are 38s.

 

[hiwall]

You could use it for 38 short and long Colt but could not crimp them.

 

[Trez]

I know the .38 spl has a .357 bullet.
Dont all those calibers have a case diameter of .380?
What happens if I use a .357 size bullet in .38 S&W?
Do I have to crimp in a revolver?
The only .38 I have is my Medusa...

 

[hiwall]

In a revolver if you don't crimp, when shot the recoil pushes the bullets forward out of the cases. In actual use the bullets go forward and lock the cylinder so it will not turn. Yes in theory you could size a .38 S&W down to hold a 357 bullet but the case will not fit in your Medusa as it is to big(you can not resize the base).

 

[hiwall]

Trez you can shoot 38 spl, 357 mag, all the lengths of 9 m/m's isn't that enough for you?

 

[Trez]

In a revolver if you don't crimp, when shot the recoil pushes the bullets forward out of the cases. In actual use the bullets go forward and lock the cylinder so it will not turn. Yes in theory you could size a .38 S&W down to hold a 357 bullet but the case will not fit in your Medusa as it is to big(you can not resize the base).

The .38 S&W is on the list of the calibers it shoots...

Trez you can shoot 38 spl, 357 mag, all the lengths of 9 m/m's isn't that enough for you?

I gotta be able to make them all...

 

[hiwall]

"The .38 S&W is on the list of the calibers it shoots..."

well take it off the list it is too big to fit

 

[Trez]

"The .38 S&W is on the list of the calibers it shoots..."

well take it off the list it is too big to fit

From Jonathan Phillips himself, The inventor of the Medusa:

I've shot several hundred of the .38 S&W out of all the Medusas I have and they are very accurate. The lead bullets are not fouling the chambers or cylinders any more than the others.

The .38 S&W I have seem to fit just fine...

 

[hiwall]

Well as I don't have a Medusa I would not doubt your statement. The 38 S&W is .3863" compared to 38 spl at .379". If the 38 S&W's fit in then when you shoot 38 spl or .357 mag the cases will have to expand more than they are designed for to fit the over-sized chamber. This would not be a danger but it would severely shorten case life if you reload. Here is a link to cartridge specs-
http://www.saami.org/PubResources/CC_Drawings/C and C Dwgs - TOC - Pistol.pdf