H&g #50

[pearson1662]

The following is copied from the Hensley and Gibbs mold chart:


#50--.38 S&W Special. 148 grains. (Also .38 Gold Cup and Clark Conversions, which are usually sized smaller, at .356".) Target pistol bullet. Three rounded grease grooves, one crimp groove, small projection on tip, but still considered a "full-wadcutter" bullet. A very popular design. Available in plain and bevel base or gas check base.

Does this imply that the bullets are smaller diameter or that when used in the Clark Conversions that the bullet is sized smaller?

I'm thinking the latter but don't want to make an error.

Jay

[floodgate]

pearson1662:

"Back in the day" (1930's - '50's), Colt cut their barrels tighter (0.356" +/-) than S&W (0.357" - 0.358"); Clark presumably held to the Colt specs. Don't know how they do it today, though.

Floodgate

[Echo]

I have a Clark .38 that I will test with #50 bullets. I always shot factory stuff (when in USAF), but have shot HL's w/factory HB bullits (Pure lead, but no FL gascheck). Have no mold at present but am planning on getting one. When I can, I will publish my findings.

And Jim's .38 conversion was made with a .38AMU barrel. Haven't slugged the barrel, but would not be surprised if it were .356.

EasyEd
USAF Ret
NRA Patron
O&U

[GabbyM]

I"ve got a six cavity H&G #50.
It will drop a bullet at just over .358" with WW cut with 25% pure lead plus 1% tin added.
Mould is stamped 50.357 on the side so .357 is targeted sized dimention. if you were to use 1-20 alloy or pure lead you may not get a .358 boolit. Bet it would be big enough though.

[GSM]

Jay:

From what I have been told, most of the older Clark conversions (1911 style) to 38 spec wadcutter were made from 38 super barrels. I don't know what they are doing these days.

For old Colt revolvers, they (Colt) also supposedly ran their barrels tighter than S&W as has been mentioned.

If you are shooting through a new revolver, a regular #50 would probably do. If you plan on shooting them through a conversion, slug the barrel out and check it - a regular #50 will probably require a little too much sizing (+0.002").

[pearson1662]

That's what I needed to know guys.

Thanks,

Jay