I guess I will scrap the idea...
Woody, .38 S&W can be loaded using 9mm Luger dies. It takes some finaglin' but it can be done. However, unless you have a good strong gun like a Smith or Colt, or one of the old Brit Enfields, it's pretty much a waste of time.
The early .38 S&W guns, before about WW2, used .360 bore barrels. Smith and Wesson at least (don't know about other brands) started using .358 barrels after the war. In one of the later guns, hardcast .358 bullets will give good accuracy. In a strong gun, Unique can get a 155 grain cast SWC up to about 725 fps without straining anything. Start with about 2.8 grains and work up CAREFULLY.
As others have said, by all means don't use anything but the powderpuff factory loads in old breaktops.
If you do decide to scrap the idea, I will take the empty brass off your hands.
Complete thread:
- Anyone load 38 S&W? -
woody,
2012-09-20, 12:23
![[*]](themes/default/images/complete_thread.png "Open whole thread")
- 38 S&W shouldn't fit in a 38 spl. -
cas,
2012-09-20, 12:26
- I guess I will scrap the idea... -
woody,
2012-09-20, 13:17
- They will woprk with 358 bullets HB WC are best. You can -
Rob Leahy,
2012-09-20, 14:11
- Can you size far enough down to make it work? - cas, 2012-09-20, 16:43
- I guess I will scrap the idea... -
Catoosa,
2012-09-20, 21:46
- You guys are making me want to call Sarco - Bob Hatfield, 2012-09-21, 04:39
- Catoosa drop me an email - woody, 2012-09-21, 09:03
- They will woprk with 358 bullets HB WC are best. You can -
Rob Leahy,
2012-09-20, 14:11
- Trade it for 38 Short Colt. - Sarge, 2012-09-21, 08:15
- I guess I will scrap the idea... -
woody,
2012-09-20, 13:17
- I found myself with, uhh, "a few".... - Hoot, 2012-09-20, 13:02
- 38 S&W shouldn't fit in a 38 spl. -
cas,
2012-09-20, 12:26