Increased pressure by how much?

[briannmilewis]

If I had a 38-55 case pushing a 200g .357 bullet, instead of a 200g .377 bullet, I would expect the chamber pressure to rise, but by how much if the same powder is used?

[Bigeasy]

If you are pushing a .357 bullet down a .377 bore, the pressure would be less, I would think.  Accuracy would be non-existent, and I doubt you would be able to get the 38-55 case to hold the .357 bullet, unless you are necking it down.

Larry

[briannmilewis]

If you are pushing a .357 bullet down a .377 bore, the pressure would be less, I would think.  Accuracy would be non-existent, and I doubt you would be able to get the 38-55 case to hold the .357 bullet, unless you are necking it down.

Larry

Sorry, for my lack of clarity...A necked down case in a 357 barrel!

[Nobade]

You are describing a 35x30-30, one of the original wildcats. I have one, like it a lot, load data is almost identical to the 35 rem. As for your question, it would depend entirely on the powder used, the construction of the bullet, the throating the rifle had, and who knows how many other variables.

[briannmilewis]

Where can one get dies for this wildcat? Yours is the only web info I can find that confirmed the wildcat did not have a shoulder of any kind, all the other sources do not mention it one way or the other. Thanks.

[Nobade]

It does have a slight shoulder, but not much. You can load it with 358 Win dies, or neck size with a 357 mag carbide die. Proper die sets are available from Ch4d for more money.  The Lee 358 die set has a tapered expander and will open up 30-30 cases to 35 in one pass. Load and shoot, and it will be fireformed. Neck size after that. If you wanted to use 38-55 cases you'd need to have a real full length die to form the case.

It's also easy to cut a chamber, use a 30-30 reamer with a 35 cal pilot on it to cut the body, and a 357 mag reamer to cut the neck and shoulder. The 357 mag rim doesn't hit the body so it works fine.

www.ch4d.com for dies.

[briannmilewis]

Nobade:

Great advice, thanks a lot. Didn't want a shoulder, but it certainly gives me more than enough to make a decision on what is possible.

Thanks.

[Nobade]

I suppose you could have a set of reamers made (chamber and sizing die) to build something like a minature 40-65 win that would look like you describe. It would be a cute thing and likely work quite well. Just curious why you would rather do that over a normal 38-55? If it is for black powder your selection of bullets is going to be rather limited and you're looking at custom moulds mostly. For smokeless, the shoulder or what there is of it isn't going to be an issue. You have me wondering, what do you have in mind? Sounds like fun!

[briannmilewis]

The big reason is a simple rechamber of a Wizard or Handi 357 Mag.