38 Super Success!

[superbee]

Just got back from the range, and am very pleased with the results. Lee 358-125 RF, unsized and lubed with Alox, over a minimum charge of Green Dot. A very enjoyable, economical plinking load that my Colt 1911 handled flawlessly. Very little leading, as well.

[I'll Make Mine]

Man, I've wanted a .38 Super since the 1970s. Never even managed to own a 1911, never mind the chamber I want. Enjoy yours, and try to hang onto that brass... ;)

[bobthenailer]

I have 2 1911's in 38 super, one has a Nowlin barrel and the other has Kart barrel ! both shoot the best with bullets sized @ .357 dia even though there bores slug @ .355 to .3555 I have allways gotten my absulate best accuracy for even target loads with med fast to med burning speed powders and a 125 gr TC , 145gr SWC type nose profiles in my 38 supers & 9MMs even though i have 2 moulds in 125 gr RN profile.

[ReloaderFred]

All my .38 Supers shoot best with warm loads. The caliber was meant to be driven, so drive it.........

Hope this helps.

Fred

[390ish]

I have shot a lot of 38 super, but most of that was in my pre-casting days. I might look into getting a relatively heavy mould, like something in the 150 grain range for my 1911s. My best results came from a fully supported King's barrel and 140 grain XTPs propelled by AA9. It really is a fascinating round, very versatile.

[TCTex]

Thanks for the post!!

I am playing around with my Wife's 1911 in 38 Super right now. This gives me inspiration and hope!

Duane

[superbee]

Another load that has worked well for me is Berry's 9 mm. plated hollow point with a maximum charge of Hodgdon's Longshot. This is a pretty fast load, and I will try to work up to that with an XTP or similar bullet.

On some forums, I have seen Longshot derided for being excessively loud ("Loudshot") and for creating excessive muzzle blast. But I wear muffs, and don't shoot in the dark (nor indoors). I like the high velocity at reasonable pressure - if the reloading data is to be believed.

[nekshot]

You lucky dogs! I got the dies to reload, the brass, molds, primers, powder but missing one more part to make this successful...

[I'll Make Mine]

You lucky dogs! I got the dies to reload, the brass, molds, primers, powder but missing one more part to make this successful...

Don't forget that a 1911 doesn't have to be .38 Super originally; a barrel, recoil spring, and magazine will convert nearly any 1911.

[Westwindmike]

After reading the post above, I got to Googling converting to 38super and every place I find info says you have to change the slide and ejector too. Can you say for sure that you only need the 3 parts you mention?

[khmer6]

drive it hard is true. hot 9mm shoots like ****, but my super loves max load in 38 super comp brass

[I'll Make Mine]

After reading the post above, I got to Googling converting to 38super and every place I find info says you have to change the slide and ejector too. Can you say for sure that you only need the 3 parts you mention?

You might be right; I've never owned a 1911, much less converted one. Thinking about it, you'd need a 9 mm size bolt face and extractor; what I recall about needing only barrel, spring, and mag might apply to a 9 mm rather than .45 ACP version of the 1911.

[khmer6]

the extractor on the 38 super is unique. semi rimmed or something makes the extractor work differntly i believe. you can always try to find a complete upper. they might go for like 300?

[bobthenailer]

I have a SA 1911 that was orgionaly 9mm I converted it to 38 super by changing the barrel & bushing , & magazine im stll useing the same extractor for both the 9mm & 38 super that came with the gun.

[khmer6]

Thanks for the clarification. Anyone here shooting heavy loads? 125gr is about tge heaviest I have. Really want to try like 160. Lee only makes heavier in 358!!!

[ReloaderFred]

If you want a heavier bullet, just size the .358 bullet to .356 and have at it. If you don't have a RN 158 gr. bullet, and just want to try some of the heavier SWC bullets, you can always single load them if your gun won't feed them.

Hope this helps.

Fred

[khmer6]

that was what i was thinking, just sizing it down to 356 or maybe even 357.

[I'll Make Mine]

Slug your barrel first; I understood the .38 Super was nominally a .357 groove, same as .38/.357 Magnum revolvers, but most likely (like many other chamberings) it varies depending who made the barrel. Size your boolits .001 to .002 over groove; if they won't chamber, then you have to decide whether they shoot okay when sized smaller, or you need to open up the chamber or leade a couple thousandths.

[TCTex]

How would the 357 Sig compare with the 38 Super?

The reason I am asking is because the 357 Sig is based off the 40 S&W which is doable in a 45 ACP platform.

Duane

[ReloaderFred]

The 357 Sig compares well with the .38 Super, but you generally get more rounds in the magazine with .38 Super, since it's basically the same diameter as 9x19. I shoot both calibers in several different platforms. My Springfield XD in 357 Sig holds fewer rounds than my .38 Super Witnesses, and the velocities are very close together on the two. The .38 Super is more versatile, since you can load from 115 gr. bullets up to 160 gr. bullets. With the 357 Sig, you're limited to 115, 124/125 and 147 gr. bullets.

With that said, I really like both calibers.

Hope this helps.

Fred

[khmer6]

I have a sig 226. I enjoy the 38 super a whole lot more. I don't know if this is the 1911 or the cartridge that pulls me in. The 357 sig is limited to the 120-130gr bullets. I don't really use a variety anyways though. Case prep is a lot easy with the super

[casterofboolits]

38 Super was the first 1911 round I cast and reloaded for. I prefer the heavier boolits I.E. 145 and 158 grain, both from Saeco moulds. The 158 was easy to make major with when I shot IPSC.

[khmer6]

Where those molds swc or rn