Reloading .38 short.....

CloClo

CloClo

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Just wondering if you can use .38 cal brass and cut it down to .38 short
(.38 S&W). I know they are not the same lenght but are they the same size ? What about dies does the same apply or you need specific .38 dies for the short ?

Not yet into reloading but the question came up in a discussion, not sure if anyone out there uses .38 short...
 
You can cut down .38 Special to .38 Short Colt length but why bother? Starline makes new .38 Short Colt brass for $136.50/1000.

As for dies, I have a set of RCBS dies for .38 Short Colt but I've a friend who sizes with a .38 Special sizer die and seats/crimps with a 9mm die.
 
terminology matters!

There is the .38 S&W, which is not a cartridge with any dimensional similarities to the .38 Special. It is not commonly (or ever??) referred to as the .38 Short.

There was, and is, a .38 Short Colt, which is a different beastie, and apparently uses the same case dimensions as the .38 Special, except for lenght.

As for .38 S&W, some have advocated the use of cut down .38 Special cases, but that means that you are shooting an undersized bullet down the barrel, and the case will most likely bulge as the .38 S&W is larger in diameter. While the brass may bulge in most cases, it means that it is being overstressed, and not being supported by the chamber.

Buy .38 S&W cases. If you are trying to load for .38 Short Colt, I have no experience.
 
Asking you guy's because I went to a local store to get the last (minus 6 rounds) box of ammo, I asked for .38 short and the guy told me it was the same as .38 S&W. Now I'm confused !!!!!!! Comparing what I bought to an old black powder centerfire .38 short cartridge (I still have an original full box of those) they are both the same, or at least seem the same size and lenght.
 
So what does your gun have stamped on it? Or what is the make and model? That will tell you whether you are looking for a .38S&W or Short Colt.
 
Things are starting to clear up, gun stamped .38 S&W but there was an old box of ammo marked .38 short. Possibly you can shoot .38 short in a .38 S&W but not the opposite.

That being said .38 special brass would work but factory brass available at a good price, seems dies also pretty common, maybe worth the investment. Sorry but didn't know the .38 S&W cartridge still quite easy to find.
 
You could shoot .38 Short, but would have the same problem with bulging cases and potential case failures as with cut down .38 Special cases (especially with really old ammo).
 
"...guy told me it was..." The guy doesn't know what he's about. Or he gets his info from American web sites. They seem to think the S&W is just a shorter .38 Special. You've made incorrect length .38 Short Colt. Different thing.
The .38 S&W uses a .360" bullet and the case is bigger in diameter. You do need .38 S&W dies.
 
Not sure where this talk on case bulging comes from after shooting 38 The only bulging i have experienced is when using shortened 38spl brass. Get some starline 38 short colt and you can load a 38 projectile. I'm toying with using 9mm Berry Bullets as they measure .356. This round is what is being used alot in steel matches, lots of info on Enos.
 
38 S&W is the same round as the brit .380 for use in the Webley revolvers. 38 short colt is an outside lubed old world cartridge and is also undersize to 38 S&W having loaded it forever, I can tell you cutting down 38 special cases is not a good idea. they bulge badly and are way undersize. plus the bullet is a diff diameter than 38 special and you will have zero accuracy past 10 yards.

get the right case and load the right bullet, or buy the right ammo.
 
baird said:
Not sure where this talk on case bulging comes from after shooting 38 The only bulging i have experienced is when using shortened 38spl brass. Get some starline 38 short colt and you can load a 38 projectile. I'm toying with using 9mm Berry Bullets as they measure .356. This round is what is being used alot in steel matches, lots of info on Enos.
Click to expand...

the talk on buldged cases is comeing from some of us who have tried cutting down 38 special in the past when brass was hard to get . not hard to get now
 
I took one post to read about bulging after being fired, sorry. Bulging can be solved by using Starline Brass.
 
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