38 s&w mold

[45knut]

I recently aquired a Colt police positive 1922 vintage in A+ shape chambered in 38 s&w. I can`t seem to find any 38 sw specific molds.
The one I`m using leaves the boolits crimp groove above the crimp( it was a 38 spec mold), this is a low pressure round.
Does anyone have any for sale or know of any 38 s&w specific molds?

[Guesser]

I use 360271, 358246 and 360302. All drop @ .361 from 50/50 WW/PB. I size and lube to .360 for my 1935 S&W Regulation Police, all are very good and were designed for 38 S&W.

[mtnman31]

Check your bore of course - I have a Colt Police Positive and if I recall correctly, I size my bullets to .359. Not all the .38 S&W's have the oversized bores. I like the Lyman 358345, 115gr bullet. I have also used the 360271. The 360271 worked fine, I just prefered the 358345. Maybe the preference is becasue it is a lighter bullet and conserves lead:-o. Also, a crimp isn't necessary with this cartridge. I crimped only enough to smooth out the bell of the case mouth.

Honestly, I haven't shot the pistol in a while; in double action, the cylinder timing is off a bit. It works fine in single action, but in double I get a bit of lead spray from the cyclinder not lining up perfectly with the barrel. I need to do some tinkering with it but have zero experience with Colt revolvers. Any tips are aprreciated.

[Guesser]

I have the 358345, but mine drops a little small for the bore on my S&W. I use it in 38 Special and 9MM in my Ruger NMBH convertible.

[HeavyMetal]

Try 35864 it is 38S&W specific and is a 145 grain RNL that duplicates the original 38S&W load.

Found my single cavity on e bay some time back suggest you haunt that site until one shows up and then bid like your Howard Huges!

MIne only cost 35 shipped.

[Bret4207]

I have a SMith Perfected Model 38 S+W and a 360271 mould. My particular example would prefer a boolit another thou' or two fatter than the .361 the mould drops. But it shoots more of less to POA, considering my eyesight (I'm about blind) and the guns abysmal sighting system. I've found Starline brass to be excellent and you'll find that 360271 mould turning up on the auction sights pretty often. I like the design, a simple SWC form, and it seems to be adecent design accuracy-wise. I'll have to try it in my 38 Specials one day.

Anyway, the older Lyman manuals give some simple, mild loads suitable for the PP. You won't go broke buying powder to shoot the 38S+W since just a couple gr of BE or RD will get you into the 5-650 fps area. That's a lot of shooting per pound.

Another option if you find you need a truly "fat 38" is the Lee 9mm Makarov mould. Very much underweight, but you can size it to what you need exactly. Another option is the soft lead swaged HB WC like those available from Hornady in bulk. A little fast burning powder tends to open the skirt enough to work well.