.38 S&W or .38 /200

gunfxr

gunfxr

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I have an Einfield No. 2 Mk I and I can't find any ammo at the 4 major stores. does anyone know of where there's some for sale. I don't want to burn off the '52 stuff I got with the pistol. Pls msg me if you have or know of a source.
 
I also have a No2 as well as a S&W M&P that I really enjoy shooting but 38S&W is both pricey and tough to find. I bought a box at SIR in Winnipeg this summer for about $21. Lebarons in Ontario also carries the stuff, usually at around $23/box.

Because of those prices, I also bought dies at SIR so I can reload it....someday....

I know this doesn't help you much as you're in AB but if you're desperate, you could always have it shipped ($$$!). Or perhaps you have a friend passing through MB or ON that could pick some up for you and bring it back.

Good luck. No2s are affordable, fun guns. Too bad they cost what they do to shoot.
 
HOWDY ;; Missing Something. I belive the 38 S+W has a .362 bullet or close to it and the 38 special is .357 . The brass is also bigger in a 38 s+w , useing 38 special will often split rhe case.
Best to check further before trying this.
 
I have never tried making .38 s&W brass but you should be able to aneal the .38spl brass with a propane torch. Once annealed the cases should be less likely to split. I do that when I am making .41LC brass from .38Spl cases. Works in that case and should work making .38 S&W cases.

Stay Safe
 
From "The Handloaders Manual of Cartridge Conversions" 3rd Edition pg. 290:

.38 Smith & Wesson

MAKE FROM: .38spl. Trim case to length, chamfer and F/L size. Case body will fireform, slightly, in the chamber.

Load Data: 150gr lead, 4.7gr Unique = 890fps (Listed in the book - I would Recommend this is a MAXIMUM LOAD for use in a strong action i.e. Smith & Wesson)

I have fired similar loaded ammo from S&W Victory model and Enfield Mk IV. pistols. I used 158gr SWC bullets and 2.0gr of W231. It is safe and I have not had any split cases.

Just my 2 cents....Use at your own risk.
 
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VICIOUS said:
HOWDY ;; Missing Something. I belive the 38 S+W has a .362 bullet or close to it and the 38 special is .357 . The brass is also bigger in a 38 s+w , useing 38 special will often split rhe case.
Best to check further before trying this.
Click to expand...

you have to use the smaller bullet, and trim the .38 special case to size, when you fire the round the case will form itself, haven't tried it yet but that is what the book said
 
gunfxr said:
I have an Einfield No. 2 Mk I and I can't find any ammo at the 4 major stores. does anyone know of where there's some for sale. I don't want to burn off the '52 stuff I got with the pistol. Pls msg me if you have or know of a source.
Click to expand...

if you find some and your not a greedy bastard like I am can you give me a shout, thanks man
 
You can also aneal the cases by heating them cherry red then dropping them in water. That is what I do to fire form .41LC cases from .38spl brass. This will reduce the the number of split cases you end up with.

Stay Safe.

Bob
 
I wish someone would make 200gr bullets though. I can only find the regular .357 Magnum/.38 Special bullets that go up to 158gr or so.
 
If you want to cast your own, you can get the 200 gr and size them to whatever diameter your gun works with.
 
Canuck223 said:
If you want to cast your own, you can get the 200 gr and size them to whatever diameter your gun works with.
Click to expand...
I like reloading, but the last thing I plan on doing is casting my own bullets.
 
Oh well not to worry you would do your casting either in your garage or outside. Lead fumes are not the best for your health. Once you get hooked into casting your own, your life is never the same.

Stay Safe
 
I usually get my cast bullets from Al Simmons at Oma Products in Burnaby. I am very happy with the quality and price of his products and it saves me the trouble of casting, sizing and lubing my own bullets. He said he could make me some larger diameter 158gr bullets, but it would be nice if I could find a source of 200 grainers. I barely have enough time for reloading as it is with pre-made components.
 
HOWDY - Some of the cowboys use hollow base wadcutter swadged soft lead bullet sold from speer 148 grain . They say the soft lead flares out to seal up the barrel in the break top pocket guns.
 
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