Bullets and Loads for S and W Safety Hammerless

[hhagan]

I have a solid, safety hammerless 38 SW, 3.5 inch bbl, 2nd Model, #27926, made between 1887 and 1890 according to the 3rd Edition of the S and W Standard Catalog. The revolver has had a little of the nickle plate rubbed off but locks up tight and functions smoothly. The bore shows very mild pitting. Slugs at .360. Cylinder throats .361.
It has been in our family as long as I can remember. Years ago, I fired it a few times with some mild factory ammo and it functioned fine.
The Lyman Manual lists the use of 358311 as a prefered bullet. These drop from my mold at .358 and thats where I size and lube them. Could use unsized and tumble lubed Lee SWC at .359. Lyman also suggests using their loads in solid framed guns, but cautions against using in the breaktops.
Are these handguns safe to fire with light smokeless powder loads and 158 gr WW (bhn 15) bullets. Is there a better bullet choice? Softer alloy better?

Thanks for any thoughts.

Hhagan

[NickSS]

I have an Iver Johnson break open 38 S&W that someone gave me just to get rid of it. I have shoot it with 158 gr cast RF boolits over 1.8 gr of Red Dot. It shot fairly well and the gun showed no strain.

[Bodydoc447]

If you don't have a mould that casts a bit larger try some of the Hornady HBWC and a light load of Red Dot or Bullseye. I used about 1.8 grains of Red Dot with the above bullet.

Doc

[Oyeboten]

I would stay with 3 F Black Powder if it was me, for that revolver.


It might no show any strain with smokeless...till you happen to notice a crack or tolerance issue.

[Bret4207]

Do a little research here, there are several long posts on just this type of gun.

[Dale53]

hhagan;
Use of the Hornady or Speer hollow base wadcutter ahead of a light charge of Red Dot or Bullseye is good advice. However, the wadcutter should be seated out, in my opinion. The S&W case is short and seating the w/c deep takes up too much space in that short case. Seat it out appropriately and you should be "good to go".

That should do everything you need done with a .38 S&W and should shoot well.

Dale53

[Freischütz]

The Smith and Wesson forum has had several discussions about reloading the 38 S&W for use in old revolvers. You might check there.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/

[hhagan]

I appreciate all of the thoughtful replys! Looks like light, soft bullets, seated long over a light load of fast powder should do.