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Old 04-23-2016, 05:49 PM
Sierramerkur Sierramerkur is offline
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Default S&W .38 vs .38 Special Ammo

So I inherited a S&W .38 hammerless and the books say not to use .38 special ammo or .357 ammo. The latter seems reasonable. But CCI offers a .38 Special in 100 grain which seems harmless to me. I'm looking for a bird shot load so I can go snake hunting, and no one seems to make this in a .38 S&W load. Can anyone help me understand this?
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Old 04-23-2016, 06:09 PM
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38 S&W is a different caliber altogether.

Yours is 9x20 rimmed. 38 special is 9x29. It wont fit. 38 S&W bullet is also lager.

Like 9x19 (9mm) and 380 (9x18). Can't chamber a 9x19 in a 380
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Last edited by Arik; 04-23-2016 at 06:10 PM.
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Old 04-23-2016, 07:14 PM
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It's confusing , very true. Let me see if I can help.
38 S&W is a shorter , fatter cartridge than 38 special. You can't chamber a 38 special in a 38 S&W chamber, the special is too long.
You can't chamber a 38 S&W round in a 38 special cylinder because the 38 S&W is bigger around in diameter and uses a slightly larger diameter bullet.
38 S&W is a different , non interchangeable round than the 38 special.
Someone will post a photo and you will see differences.
You will not find shot loads in 38 S&W, just not made. If your gun is a 38 S&W then only buy and shoot 38 S&W ammo in it.
I have one also and ammo is not plentiful , usually Remington 146 grain lead round nose or Winchester 145 grain lead round nose is what you find if you're lucky.
Hope this helps,
Gary

Last edited by gwpercle; 04-23-2016 at 07:15 PM.
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Old 04-23-2016, 07:24 PM
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2 separate cartridges. The .38 S&W uses a .360 bullet where the .38 Spl uses a .357 bullet. The .38 S&W case is a tad larger (fatter). It was common to take S&W M&Ps which were chambered in .38 S&W and ream the cylinder so the longer .38 Spl would fit. Not good results. Because the .38 S&W cartridge was a larger .38 Spl rds would often split cases. Since the bores in the .38 S&W was for a .360 bullet accuracy with the .38 Spl wasn't the best either.
These were in the K frame guns. The .38 Spl operates at higher pressure than .38 S&W.
You say your gun is a .38 S&W hammerless. Top break? These smaller guns are not going to handle the higher pressures of the .38 Spl. The cylinder may not be long enough either.
If you want a .38 Spl for birdshot then get a .38 Spl gun. However, birdshot usually doesn't work all that well on snakes unless you're really close. Like 'stepped on them' close. If you're that close already you're better off with a solid projectile instead of birdshot. Birdshot in a .38 doesn't turn it into a shotgun.
This is a picture of both a .38 Spl and a .38 S&W.

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Old 04-23-2016, 08:22 PM
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The ammo issue has been explained in detail, so let's touch upon the question why you would want to carry a Safety Hammerless around with you in the wild. It could well be an antique, although they were sold into the 1930s. It's true there are some nostalgic folks who actually use them for carry just because, but unless you can't afford something slightly more suitable, I'd look for a more practical gun. The little topbreak requires caution even with some .38 S&W ammo which will fit, depending on condition, as there are loads that were designed for the much sturdier and heavier-framed British service revolvers like Webleys and Enfields.

If you post your serial in the Antiques subforum, someone will be able to tell you its approximate age.
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Old 04-23-2016, 08:40 PM
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There are some who say the early topbreak guns should only be shot with traditional blackpowder rounds due to pressure concerns. Be very careful.
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Old 04-23-2016, 09:15 PM
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I have a Webley Mark III top break in .38 S&W. Ammo is readily available. Certainly on line. In stock ammo, guns, magazines, and reloading supplies
Privi Partisan 145gr LRN is .358 dia. Remington Target is 146gr LRN .357 dia.
Both shoot quite well. Light loads that go pop, pop. I reload them now.
BTW Snake boots or chaps would be a better choice.
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Old 04-24-2016, 09:37 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kernel Crittenden View Post
There are some who say the early topbreak guns should only be shot with traditional blackpowder rounds due to pressure concerns. Be very careful.
That's another very good point.
I have a S&W top break in .38 S&W that was my wife's grandfather. Also have the original box which is stamped in red "We do not guarantee our revolvers when used with smokeless or nitro powders." It's for blackpowder loads only. Even if a guy reamed the chambers so a .38 Spl would chamber, unless it's a full wadcutter, a .38 Spl rd is too long for the cylinder.
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