Anybody Reloading .38 ACP

[Jason30-30]

I want to start loading for a colt 1902. I Looked Around For 38 ACP dies but have come up short. I did reasearch and found Out 38 Super dies might work. Can anybody help me Out what do you guys use?

[MtGun44]

.38 Super is dimensionally identical to .38 ACP, so - Yes - the dies work perfectly. If someone
made .38 ACP dies they would just have a different name, no changes.

Keep pressures reasonable on that old dog.

I have loaded about 75,000 rounds of .38 Super, but my goal at the time was to make
major caliber at IPSC, so I was loading 158 gr lead at 1220 fps which is right at the limit
for .38 Super and WAY past anything you want to try in the 1905.

Bill

[Jason30-30]

Thanks for the info Bill it is Much appreciated

[bobthenailer]

as mtngun 44 stated 38 super dies are one in the same as 38 acp , just use the loading data for the 38acp as pressures are much lower than the 38 super ! if a 38 super load or factory ammo was fired in your pistol serious harm could come to you or your pistol or both!
I have 2- 38 supers and they both seem to perfer cast bullets sized to .357 dia even though they both have match barrels installed.
The old 1902 38acp as well as early 38 supers were set up to headspace on the rim of the case causing it to be not as accurate as it could be in some if not all pistols . the newer 38 super barrels since approx the mid 1980s ? are set up to headspace on the case mouth for better accuracy as in the 45 acp round

[felix]

Best to headspace on the boolit in all auto pistols? Of course, that would not be feasible for interchanging ammo. ... felix

[cajun shooter]

I have 4 boxes of the original 38 Colt ammo. My great uncle left me his 1902 and I traded it in for a 1874 Sharps. The ammo is in the original boxes. After firing you would have the correct head stamp on your brass. The ammo is rare and will be a collector item . At 64 and with some health problems I will not be here when that time comes. If interested make me a offer. Later David