.38 S&W vs. ".380 Revolver" brass

Dentedhead

Dentedhead

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So, I have just finished chasing my tail around Google all day at work (don't tell my boss) trying to figure something out, and am hoping that this might yield some definitive answers from the local experts.

The long and short of it is that I went looking for .38 S&W brass that I could reload for use in an Enfield No 2 Mk I. I found a source who has some available, and he mentioned that he also had some ".380 Revolver" brass that I might be interested in as well. I know that the .38 S&W is known by a variety of names, including .380-200, but I am also under the impression that .380 ACP is a different beast altogether. The seller described the .380 Revolver as: having the same outside diameter as the .38 S&W, having a base that is approx. 2-4 thou smaller than the .38 S&W. Also, apparently the .38 S&W brass is about 6 thou shorter than the .380, and the .380 has a DC headstamp (for what that is worth).

Anyhow, this is my first potential foray into the world of reloading and as much as I am curious and looking forward to it, a gentle push in the right direction (will the .380 Revolver work in the Enfield) would be very much appreciated. Sorry for rambling, but I am looking forward to hearing back from those of you who know more about this stuff than I do.

DH
 
The old .380 revolver cartridge (not to be confused with the .380-200 round used in the 20th century Enfield and Webley revolvers) is similar to but not the same as .38 S&W. As it happens, I looked this up in The Webley Story a couple of days ago.
 
Fantastic. Thanks for straightening that matter out for me. Now here is where my ignorance of reloading is really going to shine: keeping in mind that people regularly cut down .38 Spl brass to use for .38 S&W, and knowing that all the dimensions of the .380 Revolver are within a couple of thou of .38 S&W, would it be safe to use those brass? I enjoy having two hands and would just as soon rather not have anything explode in either one of them, but due to the apparent shortage of .38 S&W brass would .380 Revolver be a viable alternative? Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Cheers,
DH
 
As you know, .38 Sp. brass has been trimmed and used to assemble .38 S&W cartridges.
The cases do puff out, because the .38 Sp. is smaller in diameter. Pressures are also quite low.
Is it a good idea? I don't know. I've never heard of any damage being done.
 
^^^I've heard of this as well....considered doing it myself when I bought a 38 S&W. IMHO you are best off to contact higginson powders for brass or try a few of the sponsors above.(Mystic Precision comes to mind).

Buy yourself 500 pieces and don't look back.:D
 
Thanks to everyone for their help on this. Whenever I tried searching for .38 &W brass I kept on getting American sites, which is next to useless seeing as how they don't ship to the Great White North. That, combined with the exceedingly confusing .38S&W vs .380 Revolver vs .380 ACP vs .38 Super vs .38 Special vs .380/200 etc was getting a bit confusing. In any case, I have managed to hunt down enough to get started, and I have gotten in touch with some Canadian companies to help sort out the rest. Thanks again for all the help and knowledge.

Cheers,
DH
 
I own a H&R Defender .38S&W. I have cut down a couple hundred .38Spl cases and shoot 158gr sized Lead RN. I also shoot both regular .38S&W and .380 Revolver with same bullet. Knock yourself out and have fun.

Since not all brass is created equal, some .38Spl will bulge if bullets are seated too deeply preventing them from chambering. Trial and error.
 
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