Question about rifles using 38 spl.

[Bulldog]

I am just starting to get involved in CAS and do not yet have any of the guns I need.  I have done some research and am planning to go with .38 cal, at least for my pistols.   I would prefer to use the same cartridge in my rifle, but I have seen some statements that rifles chambered in .357/38 often have problems feeding the .38 cartridges.

I was wondering if the experienced shooters here have had that experience.   If so are there some models that are more reliable using .38 cartridges than others, or do most people with those rifles just use .357 cartridges in them?

I have shot both .38 and .45’s in the past and am pretty much committed to using .38 cal. pistols, but if I have to use a different cartridge in the rifle I would be inclined to just get .45 rifle rather using .357 in a .357/38.  What do you folks think?

[Doc Shapiro]

It depends on the rifle.  My wife's Marlin feeds 38's perfectly, as does my '73.

Doc

[hellgate]

I have Rossi model 92s but they are very overall length sensitive. Mine happen to like the 357 OAL (varies with bullet nose style 1.53"-1.57") which is no problem if you shoot a 38/357 chambered revolver. I have not owned a Marlin but from what I have seen, they handle 38spl quite well. If you are fairly new to shooting & reloading, get the Marlin. The idea of the same ammo for both rifle & pistol is a good one and makes life simpler. I do not follow that idea having shot cap&ball for the last 13 years BUT I do have  38/357 rifles for SASS shoots and reload for them.

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[law dawg]

You could go with a '66 yellowboy, they make them chambered in .38 special.

[sweettooth]

I to would like to get a cimarron 73 on 38/357 do they handle  38 spec. well

[Marauder]

The 66 are made for 38 specials.  The 73 rifles can also use 38 Specials with no problems.  Some of the early imports (over 10 years ago) had elevators that we're quite beveled enough so some preferred longer cartridges, but that can be fixed easily.

I know a lot of folks, including me, are shooting 38 Specials in their 73 rifles. 

A lot of stock Marlins and 92's  do a little better with longer cartridges.  I loaded my own 38 Specials, for one of my 92 and my Marlin 94, but crimped in the lube groove and they worked great.  My other 92 shoot 38 Specials just great anyway, but it varies with the rifle.

[sweettooth]

 Thank you sirs sounds like it will work

[litl rooster]

 My wife and I have been sharing a Marlin .38 spl/.357 model 94, the  past year we have had very few problems with it, none that needed a gunsmith, and none with feeding. Using store bought ammo, Bullits de jour

[Howdy Doody]

I shoot Marlin 1894s. I did have problems with my very first one and it was corrected by using a long nosed bullet with an OAL making it 1.51 total.
Then Marlin redesigned the carrier somewhere along the line and my new 1894 will feed regular length about 1.45 OAL ammo.
Shooting 38 spl is about the lowest cost round to shoot and since we shoot plenty, cost figures in after a while.
If you trim the mag spring, stuffing 10 rounds of 38spl in is no problem at all.

[dogngun]

I had an old Rossi Puma that shot every .38 spl or .357 mag load I put in it, even semi-wadcutters, but I have heard that other Rossi's are more picky. Marlins are very popular around here, and have a rep for being reliable.

Mark

[Wills Point Pete]

 My old, pre-safety microgroove Marlin 1894 shoots .38s and .357s just fine, I can even mix them in the tube. What it won't do is fire long matches with the Holy Black so it has been retired from CA. Instead it sits by the back door, loaded with Hornaday JHPs in front of max loads of Hodgdon's Lil Gun. How about chronoing 2000 fps with a 158? Coyotes don't last long round my place.

[Howdy Doody]

Hey Pete,
Is the reason the rifle won't shoot many rounds  with BP because of the microgroove? How many rounds before accuracy drops off? I am just curious, my rifles have the deeper grooves and are newer models than yours, but I often wondered about micro grooves and BP. Thanks.

[Gold Canyon Kid]

73s shoot 38s really well.  Marlins can be difficult if you load them out too short.  We have 4 Marlins and if I keep the overall lenth of the 38s to 1.45 inches they work perfect.  The standard 158 grain round nose flat point will sometimes be quite a bit shorter in the 38 spl, so I use some of the bullets designed to work this problem in the 125 to 130 g range and they work real well.  Most bullet suppliers sell these.