I posted on here a couple days ago that i was looking for a set of 38S&W dies. Then today a fellow cgn'r pm's me stating " Just so you know, you can use standard 9mm dies to load .38 S&W. I used to do it all the time. " Has anyone ever done this? Will it work? Is it safe?
38 S&W Reloading
- Thread starter randall1
- Start date
saskgunowner101
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- near Prince Albert
I've loaded 38 S&W using 9mm dies.....it works well enough although you might tend to get the coke bottle shaped cartridge look. The bullets might stick in your seating die if they are too large so you'll most likely have to use .355-.356 bullets. I suppose it depends on the bullets profile, but I had poor luck with some cast bullets that were .357-.358. They just get stuck in the seating die.
You probably won't get the best accuracy possible but good enough works great in an old Enfield Tanker.
These old things are a real hoot to shoot.
If you can't find any 38 S&W specific dies, you could cobble together a 38 Super/38 acp sizing die, the same for the expander/mouth bell, and then a 38/357 mag seating die to use .357-.358 size bullets. It looks good in theory anyways.
You probably won't get the best accuracy possible but good enough works great in an old Enfield Tanker.
These old things are a real hoot to shoot.If you can't find any 38 S&W specific dies, you could cobble together a 38 Super/38 acp sizing die, the same for the expander/mouth bell, and then a 38/357 mag seating die to use .357-.358 size bullets. It looks good in theory anyways.
If you have the right shellplate, it may work fine. I'd try a case and make sure that after resizing it drops into the chamber properly.
The problem may come with seating. If I recall correctly, depending on the manufacturer and time of manufacture, the barrels on the .38 S&W were sometimes larger than the standard .357-.358 of the newer guns. If your gun needs bigger diameter bullets, the 9mm die might work the mouth of the case a bit much, and expanding them afterwords could be a pain.
The problem may come with seating. If I recall correctly, depending on the manufacturer and time of manufacture, the barrels on the .38 S&W were sometimes larger than the standard .357-.358 of the newer guns. If your gun needs bigger diameter bullets, the 9mm die might work the mouth of the case a bit much, and expanding them afterwords could be a pain.
- Location
- WMU247 near Edmonton
you may find short case life is a result of using 9mm dies
38 S&W should be using .361" not .355"
you would be better off with 38 Special dies if you can't fine 38 S&W
38 S&W should be using .361" not .355"
you would be better off with 38 Special dies if you can't fine 38 S&W
It is possible to load cartridges with 9mm dies that will go "bang" in a .38 S&W revolver.
The case is sized too small at the neck. The expander die will not expand the case to use a proper .38 S&W bullet. Bullets suitable for 9mm are too small for .38 S&W.
It is also possible to use .38SP. dies to load shortened .38SP cases. These will also go "bang" in a .38 S&W revolver. The cases will bulge, because .38SP are actually too small in diameter, but pressures are low enough that blown cases don't seem to be a problem.
It is a far better idea to use the correct dies and cases. I have had good luck using .38 hollow based wadcutter bullets. I believe that the base of the bullet expands nicely to fit the bore. These shot very well on an old Colt Police Positive.
The case is sized too small at the neck. The expander die will not expand the case to use a proper .38 S&W bullet. Bullets suitable for 9mm are too small for .38 S&W.
It is also possible to use .38SP. dies to load shortened .38SP cases. These will also go "bang" in a .38 S&W revolver. The cases will bulge, because .38SP are actually too small in diameter, but pressures are low enough that blown cases don't seem to be a problem.
It is a far better idea to use the correct dies and cases. I have had good luck using .38 hollow based wadcutter bullets. I believe that the base of the bullet expands nicely to fit the bore. These shot very well on an old Colt Police Positive.
