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Old 03-16-2012, 03:14 PM
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Default .38 Auto/ .38ACP

Does anyone have a link to .38 Rimless, aka .38 ACP; .38 auto.?
I need some brass that is properly headstamped.

I know I can load these light loads in .38 super brass (identical dimensions), but I do not want to err and damage my old autos.by running the wrong loads. My thought was to buy nickel .38 super brass, but if anyone has a site to get .38ACP ammo or brass, I would very much like them to let me know.
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Old 03-16-2012, 04:03 PM
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38 Auto Load Data - Handloads.Com

handloads.com has some data, but I don't load that cartridge and can't vouch for the data.
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Old 03-17-2012, 02:00 AM
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If you were loading the opposite way I would worry but since you're loading a lighter load (.38 ACP) in the .38 Super brass I see no danger.

That's like loading a .38 Special load in .357 Magnum brass. No danger there but if you load .357 Magnum pressures in .38 Special brass, well then...

That said, Stars & Stripes Ammo sells 38 ACP ammo so if all else fails you can buy some and then have the brass for reloading. (under production pistol ammo)
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Old 03-17-2012, 05:29 AM
lebomm lebomm is offline
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.38 Super brass and .38 Colt Auto (.38 ACP) brass are, to all intents and purposes, identical. I load for a Colt 1902, Astra 400, and Star Modelo Super, and use the same batch of brass for all. Of course, I load them all to different levels, and simply note on the box label which pistol they are for. BTW, the ACP should do well with a 125-130 gr bullet at about 950-1000 fps.

Larry

Last edited by lebomm; 03-17-2012 at 05:33 AM.
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Old 03-17-2012, 07:08 AM
ronnie gore ronnie gore is offline
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Default 38 acp

i have used a lot of other cartridges to form other rounds, what i do is chuck the brass in a lathe and use a small cutting tool to cut two lines in the cartridge head just enough to mark out the headstamp.
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Old 03-17-2012, 08:05 AM
2848woodduck 2848woodduck is offline
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This is my first post - hope to be an active member . Well here's my problem - while shooting my liteweight revolver the cylinder jammed , would not turn. Upon inspection , I found a bullet had moved forwand , out of the case and blocked the cylinder from moving. A call to Remington , they were Remington cartridges,revealed this is a somewhat common problem with lite revolvers. What type ammo do you shooters advise me to use ?
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Old 03-17-2012, 01:31 PM
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Edit-add Another idea is to separate one particular head stamp for use in the 38 acp and not load it for the super at all. You can only shoot factory or your reloads that way with that brand of brass. OR you could use brass cases for acp and nickle for super.

If you can find an old box of 38 acp ammo at a gun show you might use them or you could take a file and put a notch on the rim or use paint in the head stamp or extractor groove to make the gun-specific brass identifiable. There are LOTS of options to choose from

As for the new-guy question... it's complicated...(to explain in a word or two, if you haven't been around guns & ammo much)... you would get a lot more answers by starting a new thread with a descriptive title.

Last edited by 125JHP; 03-18-2012 at 08:50 AM.
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357 magnum, cartridge, colt, extractor, headstamp, remington


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