In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.

.38 S&W

jonkjonk Member Posts: 10,121
edited December 2005 in Perry Shooter Competition Shooting and Reloading Forum
I noticed in the specs that this cartridge nominally takes a .361" bullet (going from memory there). As this is not easy to find....

Theoretically, how about swaging down a .365" 9mm Mak bullet?

In practice I probably will stick with .358" bullets, but just thinking.

"...hit your enemy in the belly, and kick him when he is down, and boil his prisoners in oil- if you take any- and torture his women and children. Then people will keep clear of you..." -Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, speaking at the Hague Peace Conf
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • PearywPearyw Member Posts: 3,699
    edited November -1
    My normal load is to take a .358" 148gr hbwc and load it in the 38 S&W case. It will spread and seal in the barrel. I usuall load it with 2.9 gr of 231.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • richbugrichbug Member Posts: 3,650
    edited November -1
    If you are set on using jacketed bullets that should be fine. if using lead, seat one as is and see if it will chamber easily. .362" to 365" isn't much when talking about 50 year old guns.

    .
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • rovernutrovernut Member Posts: 256 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I used to have a pristine Colt Police Positive that I reloaded for. Used 9mm dies, 38spl shell holder and .358 bullets. It shot just fine!! These old cartidges are easy to load for!!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • king999king999 Member Posts: 450 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If you use fairly soft lead bullets and relatively fast (bullseye class) powder, the bullet will "slug" up to the bore, no problem!
    Morty
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mazo kidmazo kid Member Posts: 648 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Jon, I looked in an old Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook (1958) and they list Lyman #358242 and #358246 as standard bullets for the 38 S&W. Granted, these are probably discontinued moulds, but they are listed as .358" diam. In looking further, there are several 358 moulds that are listed at .360", .361", .362". I have several SWC moulds in my collection that cast .360" and weigh 148 to 155gr. If that is too heavy, I have 2 RN that cast 92gr and 145gr. Emery


    "Well done is better than well said"
    Ben Franklin
    NRA Life
    NMLRA Life
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mazo kidmazo kid Member Posts: 648 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Just checked my COTW and it lists 38 S&W bullet at .359". There are a couple of bullet moulds here and several on AA that cast .359-.360". Emery

    "Well done is better than well said"
    Ben Franklin
    NRA Life
    NMLRA Life
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Sign In or Register to comment.