Reloading 38 Special Bullets in 38 S&W Questions????????

[alnukem]

I have reloaded before, but it has probably been 20 years ago. I have 2 S&W side swing cylinders & 1 S&W Top Break, all in 38 S&W. I bought some Starline 38 S&W brass & have some 158gr 38 Special Hard Cast Bullets. The bullets fit the virgin brass tight & will have to belled out to accept the bullets. The bullets seem to fit the Forcing Cone & Muzzle tight enough. My Question is that the end of the cylinder presents no resistance to the bullet itself.....is this a problem? Thanks.

[wonderwolf]

.38 special uses a different bullet diameter bullet than your .38 S&W, your bullets are undersized probably somewhere between .001" and .004" depending.

Is it a problem? with proper loads no its not, but you'll get leading like crazy most likely. I had a webley in 38-200 that I played with for awhile and gave up on because of leading with undersized bullets.

[Nueces]

One way to get into shooting your guns without much hassle is to load 38 hollow base wadcutters, to the same overall length as if seated in 38 special cases. That's how I inaugurated my first Webley, before sourcing proper diameter moulds from NOE.

[alnukem]

Thank you guys for your input, I will order the correct bullets. I've spent enough time cleaning these things up from decades of neglect & non use.

[toallmy]

38 s/w proper sized boollits are available , store bought cast .

[mozeppa]

also the accuracy will suffer greatly.

p.s. this is mine.

[dubber123]

I have heard some of the revolvers Colt produced in that caliber have tighter cylinder throats than their S&W counterparts. All my S&W's have run around .361"ish throats, and are much happier with boolits sized to fit. Have fun with the new shooters

[Texas by God]

One way to get into shooting your guns without much hassle is to load 38 hollow base wadcutters, to the same overall length as if seated in 38 special cases. That's how I inaugurated my first Webley, before sourcing proper diameter moulds from NOE.

That's what I used in my Enfield when I was 14. The hollow base expanded to fit and was accurate enough for mud turtles. Best, Thomas.

[michael.birdsley]

My Iver Johnson cylinder has 4 throats at .360 and 1 at .361


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[Outpost75]

My Colt has throats .359" and my Webley & Scott .362"

[Hardcast416taylor]

also the accuracy will suffer greatly.

p.s. this is mine.

I remember seeing this model advertised in a Klein`s ad in gun magazines back in the `60`s and listed as the `Commando` model with the bobbed hammer spur. I believe they were selling for about $30 or less.Robert

[quail4jake]

Try Missouri bullet company 145 gr .361 LRN specifically for .38 S&W. I'm looking for a mold to make the some boolits, they are historically accurate. BHN 8-10.

[alnukem]

I bought some 140 RNFPBB & 158 TCBB sized at .360 from Pennbullets. I decided on 2 different bullets because I shoot both top breaks & solid frames & it gives me immediate reconigtion. The owner recommended the .360 sizing......we'll see. Thanks, Tim

[dubber123]

I bought some 140 RNFPBB & 158 TCBB sized at .360 from Pennbullets. I decided on 2 different bullets because I shoot both top breaks & solid frames & it gives me immediate reconigtion. The owner recommended the .360 sizing......we'll see. Thanks, Tim

Got a chance to try any yet?