I just started gathering components to reload this for .38 S&W and now I am trying to find the bullets themselves. I picked up some HP38 but now I can't find any lead 145gr. bullets to load with, only 140 and 148 that are close to the same weight. Is there a recipe that would work for these weights with this powder or am I out of luck? Any help would be great.
.38 S&W load data
- Thread starter lummox
- Start date
Which handgun? Use extreme care for a weak and wobbly US or otherwise Saturday night special. A da colt, S&W, or ww2 enfield can use regular 158 gn rn or swc lead bullets. The enfield was designed to use 200 gn RN(hard to find). Most recommend larger diameter(.360), but they don't chamber in every enfield. 0.357 to 0.359 works in mine. I cast 200gn, size .359.
vagrantviking
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Alberta
The bullets you have will work with that load data. If you are concerned cut the charge 1 or 2 tenths of a grain or use the ones that are lighter than the ones referred to in the data.
I tried .357" jacketed and they tumbled in mine.
Some .359" cast would sometimes tumble but had terrible groups (talking 20+ inches at 25yds).
I now only use .362" powder coated cast.
I probably should have slugged the bore and throat but was feeling lazy.
Two loads I load with 150gr powder coated cast is 2.4gr of Trail Boss and 2.6gr of Unique. The TB loads are especially low-powered. I've been meaning to try 700X, Titegroup, and HP-38.
I found this quoted from an old reloading manual on another forum. I use my experience/opinion/brain and a quick check in Quick Load before trying any.
HP-38 and W231 are ostensibly the same powder packaged differently. Of course burn rates between lots vary so use caution when making this swap. The variation in burn rates could account for differences in loads for the two powders in some data sources (the above data is identical for both though).
Some .359" cast would sometimes tumble but had terrible groups (talking 20+ inches at 25yds).
I now only use .362" powder coated cast.
I probably should have slugged the bore and throat but was feeling lazy.
Two loads I load with 150gr powder coated cast is 2.4gr of Trail Boss and 2.6gr of Unique. The TB loads are especially low-powered. I've been meaning to try 700X, Titegroup, and HP-38.
I found this quoted from an old reloading manual on another forum. I use my experience/opinion/brain and a quick check in Quick Load before trying any.
HP-38 and W231 are ostensibly the same powder packaged differently. Of course burn rates between lots vary so use caution when making this swap. The variation in burn rates could account for differences in loads for the two powders in some data sources (the above data is identical for both though).
#1bcshooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- North Of The DMZ (US border)
Contact
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/member.php/27519-jethunter
He should be able to help you out . I got a bunch of cast 38/200 's from him in the past & they loaded up & performed great in my 38S&W Victory model
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/member.php/27519-jethunter
He should be able to help you out . I got a bunch of cast 38/200 's from him in the past & they loaded up & performed great in my 38S&W Victory model
Contact
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/member.php/27519-jethunter
He should be able to help you out . I got a bunch of cast 38/200 's from him in the past & they loaded up & performed great in my 38S&W Victory model
^^^This. Terry's your guy for these old calibres.
Before I got some 160 gr bullets sized .361 from Bullet Barn, I used the hollow base 148gr wadcutters. The hollow base would expand to fit the bore. Worked well in an Enfield and a S&W.
HB wadcutters are readily available.
HB wadcutters are readily available.
Here is a picture of my revolver loaded with both 9mm and 38 S&W cases. Other than the rim, the two cases are almost identical - with similar case capacities.
If you load the 38 case with 9mm data , you will get 9mm pressure. About triple the 38's limit.
If you are ever short of 38 S&W brass, you can use 9mm brass, if your chamber has a lip inside to hold the case. I am told that some are bored straight through. I have 3 38's, and all can be shot with 9mm brass.
I load with 38 S&W data, and poke the empties out with a pencil.
If you load the 38 case with 9mm data , you will get 9mm pressure. About triple the 38's limit.
If you are ever short of 38 S&W brass, you can use 9mm brass, if your chamber has a lip inside to hold the case. I am told that some are bored straight through. I have 3 38's, and all can be shot with 9mm brass.
I load with 38 S&W data, and poke the empties out with a pencil.
Yes and I've done it with a 200 gr bullet (Lyman 358430) in an Enfield Revolver.
I used 1.7 grs for 525 fps, but you could go to 2.0 grs.
A full case of Trail Boss (1.7 grs) gave 475 fps!
Sold the gun, kept the load data!
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Good stuff! I have an old S&W pre-victory I've put 25 rounds of factory through, still have half the box to shoot, but of course got all the gear to load for it....just never got around to it. Also grabbed some 45 autorim for the 1917 that has yet to see the press. Probably time I did some pistol shooting....
