Casting for the 38 S&W

[Gibbs 505]

I am going to start casting for this cartridge.

However I have not cast before. I have collected most os what I need, inculding pot, lead and ingot caster.

I do need help on the moulds, sizing dies and any other special equipment needed.

What else do I need and where can I get it from?

As the 38 S&W has a bore of .360 rather then the standard .357, do I need to special order or will someone like Lee or Lymann have these in stock? Are there any other special considerations needed?

Thanks for any help there!

[crazy mark]

Gibbs, I'm not aware of any off the shelf moulds for the 38 S&W being made right now. You will have to go the custom route. If you can find a 358430 195 gr it may drop at .360 or .361. It is still in production. I use the 358430 150 gr, 360271, 358246 and 358212 as I have ones that drop .361-.360. There is a WC that also works but I can't remember which on it is. I have H&R's, a Colt and IJ's that I shoot. Mark

[Buckshot]

.............In what kind of handgun are you shooting the 38 S&W? You should slug the barrel and also check the chamber mouths' ID. No sense trying to find something you don't need, or worse yet buying soemthing that isn't going to work. NEI has 2 suitable generic 38 S&W moulds showing they cast at .362". A 200 gr and a 155 gr.

http://www.fototime.com/3B773CE97D573A2/standard.jpg

Starting from the left is the Lyman 358430 @ 202 grs, the Lyman 35863 WC @ 155grs, recent GB 100gr DEWC for the 38 Special but mine drop @ .360". Another Lee 6 cav GB for a 146gr RN. Next is an old Colt New Police which is just the 38 S&W with a FN boolit, and finally and very obviously a 38 Special case.

All the above boolits were cast of pure lead. I have 2 "V" model Smiths and a break open Iver Johnson all in 38 S&W. The reason the WC is seated so far out is that at that OAL case volumn equals that of a 38 SPecial with a flush seated WC. Since the Victory model Smiths were merely altered 38 Specials, if you can match the case volumn you can use 38 Special loads.

The Lyman 4 cav mould for the 35863 WC I bought from BruceB here on the board, as it drops at .363" which was too much for his uses but just dandy for me and the 38 S&W cartridge. I understand that all the 35863 moulds drop largish. Since it's NLA, you'll have to check places people offer moulds to find one.

................Buckshot

[Boerrancher]

It may be worth the $20 to try, I have a Lee mould that drops between 360 and 361. The number is TL358-158-SWC. I shoot them unsized in my Marlin lever gun, micro groove don't ya know.

Best wishes from the Boer Ranch,

Joe

[Gibbs 505]

Thanks, I am going to use a Enfield #2 Recolver. This has a strong break action. But it has a shorter cylinder then the "V" model Smiths. Thanks for the help!

[mtnman31]

As a few of the other replies mentioned, try some 358 molds that are commonly available before you buy a custom mold. Of my 358 molds, about half of them drop bullets from wheel weights at 360.

Unless you find that your bore slugs out at over 360, there are plenty of molds out there (in my experience) that drop bullets at 360. Not only that, you can find a wide variety of bullet designs at all the usual places, here, fleaBay, and gunbroker. eBay will have the widest variety, but it can sometimes be a crapshoot with prices, shipping costs, and mold quality. I have not been totally burned yet but, I have gotten a few molds from eBay that had to be repaired or cleaned up. Good luck.

[runfiverun]

there is also the option of beagling a mold..
you can also "open-up" a lee mold quite easily with valve lapping compound.

[Gibbs 505]

Beagling? That is a new term for me!

[Boerrancher]

Beagling? That is a new term for me!

Beagling is done by placing thin aluminum or other non flammable tape on the mold face where it separates. This will hold the mold open a few thousandths and cast a bigger boolit. I am sure someone can explain it better than I just did, but that is how it is done.

Best wishes from the Boer Ranch,

Joe

[runfiverun]

actually the way joe splained it is about all there is to it.
just look around in the stickies you'll find it.