Inline FabricationRepackboxLoad DataReloading Everything
WidenersTitan ReloadingRotoMetals2Lee Precision
MidSouth Shooters Supply PBcastco
Results 1 to 6 of 6

Thread: Couple of odd 38 Specials and a very special 38 Special!

  1. #1
    Boolit Master

    mattw's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Location
    East Central Illinois
    Posts
    1,796

    Couple of odd 38 Specials and a very special 38 Special!

    So, found these in a box of brass and had to clean them up.

    I assume the WRA are fairly old, in all my years of loading I have not seen this head stamp. I have also not see the copper washed Peters before. The 38 auto/super that I have added, is very odd. It appears that it is a homemade 38 Super, but the cannular is in the wrong place for any Federal 38's I checked and then there is the head and the extractor groove... Can't imagine anyone making this shell. Yes, the 38 Super is head stamped 38 Special.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	38-2.jpg 
Views:	35 
Size:	33.6 KB 
ID:	222260Click image for larger version. 

Name:	32-2.jpg 
Views:	40 
Size:	32.7 KB 
ID:	222258Click image for larger version. 

Name:	38.jpg 
Views:	49 
Size:	33.7 KB 
ID:	222259

  2. #2
    Boolit Buddy 380AUTO's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Anchorage, Alaska
    Posts
    176
    Very interesting. I have a bunch of old 30-40 Krag WRA (Winchester repeating arms) brass from the 30’s. Like you I can’t imagine someone going through the trouble of making super brass from specials.
    Proud to serve, U.S. Army Infantry

  3. #3
    Boolit Master
    GARD72977's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    TUPELO MS
    Posts
    1,726
    That 38 super looks like a factory case that was stamped wrong.

  4. #4
    Boolit Master

    mattw's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Location
    East Central Illinois
    Posts
    1,796
    Do they stamp before the even form the basic cartridge?

  5. #5
    Boolit Grand Master Outpost75's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    over the hill, out in the woods and far away
    Posts
    10,153
    Quote Originally Posted by mattw View Post
    Do they stamp before the even form the basic cartridge?
    Generally yes.

    I once had a WW2 era cloth belt of 250 rounds of cal. .30 linked ammunition in which the Ball M1 cartridges were headstamped WRA Co. .30 Govt'06, and the tracers in the same belt were headstamped WRA Co. .270 Win., all having the WW1 style aircraft ring crimp around the primers. Probable 1942 production of work-in-process sporting cases converted to military use. Regrettably I didn't save any of the rounds, or brass, which all went overboard, but firing them in a water-cooled Browning was satisfying at the time!
    The ENEMY is listening.
    HE wants to know what YOU know.
    Keep it to yourself.

  6. #6
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Posts
    982
    I had one of those WRA spl tool cases years ago, probably lost in the move. I assumed it was a blank for some kind of heavy-duty nail driver, rivet puncher, etc. Anyone know for sure?

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check