38 S&w

peter2772000

peter2772000

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Newbie reloader here. Can I use 38 spl cases trimmed down? I know, I know, I should get a manual. And I will (waiting on my 650 to come in 1st). I'm just curious becasue I have a 38S&W revolver supposedly used by Sask. police back in the 70's. I've got 2 boxes of empties, but they've already been reloaded a few times (by others) and are starting to crack at the mouth. Do I simply look for new cases, or can I trim a 38 spl? As well, will the dies from a 38 spl work for the 38 S&W?

Thanks for tolerating what I'm sure are typical newb stoopid questions. :redface:
 
.38S&W cases/chamber are slightly larger in diameter than .38Sp. If .38Sp cases are used, the cartridges will be undersized, and will bulge out when fired. If you use .38Sp dies with your S&W brass, diameter will be reduced excessively.
 
I've trimmed down over 100 38Spl cases and have had no problems what so ever in my H&R Defender .38S&W. But you should use a bullet with a short shank due to the internal thickness of the trimmed down cases. If a bullet is seated too deeply it will bulge the case and prevent chambering. I would not recommend loading with .38Spl dies for the abv reason.
 
Interesting. I will have dies for 9mm, so it's nice to know that I'll be able to use them for 38 S&W. Maybe for $hits'n giggles, I'll try to trim down a few 38 Spl cases (a quantity of which I have so many of, they're oozing out my wazoo) and see how they do.

I appreciate all the recommendations, guys! :cheers:
 
If you drop a 9mm round into a 38 S&W chamber, you will see it fits perfectly. The 9mm is made of thicker brass, so the outside dimensions are the same, even though the bullet is smaller.

So 9mm dies are perfect for sizing 38S&W. DO NOT shoot a 9mm in a S&W. It is about 20,000 psi too hot.
 
Ganderite said:
If you drop a 9mm round into a 38 S&W chamber, you will see it fits perfectly. The 9mm is made of thicker brass, so the outside dimensions are the same, even though the bullet is smaller.

So 9mm dies are perfect for sizing 38S&W. DO NOT shoot a 9mm in a S&W. It is about 20,000 psi too hot.
Click to expand...

So, just to be certain, I use a shell holder on the press for .38 S&W, and my 9mm dies. My book is showing .775 length for the 38, and .754 for the 9mm.

Does this tell me my dies need to sit .026 higher up, as in touch the brass on ram up, and back off a hair or two?

Will I run into gremlins when seating/crimping?

I promise, no more questions.:D(tonight at least)
 
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