Although British military production of the 200gn load ended in the '30s commercial production went on a lot longer. These ones are still Berdan-primed.

Attached Images

38-200 01.jpg (144.4 KB, 174 views)

That's a big 'ole chunk of lead in a little case! I bet those things penetrate like no tomorrow.

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Hand tighten only

They are out of it currently, but I bought some from Steinel a while back to shoot out of my Colt Official police in 38-200. It works well.

.38/200 Military Load - Steinel Ammunition Co

I'm told that you can sometimes see the bullet in flight.

I just started reloading this caliber for my S&W 38/200 BSR. I have been using new Starline brass 158 LRN sized to .359". Seems to work ok. I would'nt mind trying some 200gr Milsurp. India did have some Security Sixes in this caliber? Has anyone seen this ammo on the surplus market?

Has anyone tried Missouri Bullets .361" diameter 145gr bullet?

As I recall the British theory was a heavy bullet moving slowly was more effective.

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I am a sheep dog!
1601 (ret)

I have, but I normally use 125 grain .358 bullets. I load those considerably hotter than factory loads, nearly in the 9mm class. Works OK in a Victory, never in an old top break.

Actually, because the heavier bullet was unstable and tended to yaw in tissue, doing more damage. Same idea as the old 200 grain .38 S&W "Super Police" load.

When I was in Kosovo in 2003, the Fiji Island police were carrying S&W Victory models in .38 S&W.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

I purchased a box of .361 Missouri bullets, and ordered brass from Starline. I'm still waiting for the brass ordered April 4 th. I don't think I have any other alternatives, so am patient.

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Kevin in Oregon

I was able to get 600 pcs of Starline Brass about a year ago. I made up a 150 pc test run with 158 gr LRN from a local caster. I bought the bullets clean and unsized. Ran the bullets through a .359 die. I have been using CCI 500 primers and Accurate # 5 powder. I now have a good supply of ammo with all 600 pieces loaded. I would like to try the Missouri .361 or pick up a Lyman mold for the 200 gr if it is ever available again.”

I was able to get 600 pcs of Starline Brass about a year ago. I made up a 150 pc test run with 158 gr LRN from a local caster. I bought the bullets clean and unsized. Ran the bullets through a .359 die. I have been using CCI 500 primers and Accurate # 5 powder. I now have a good supply of ammo with all 600 pieces loaded. I would like to try the Missouri .361 or pick up a Lyman mold for the 200 gr if it is ever available again.”

In my experiene that is true.
Jim

I have seen wadcutters in flight from a snubbie when shot over snow on an overcast day.

You can see .455"s in flight, for sure.

I have seen .45 ACPs from 1911s in flight. That would've been around 800 fps - quite a bit faster than .38 S&W. The light and angle had to be just right for us to see them.

I don't know of any source right now with 38/200 ammo in stock. If you reload or have access to a reloader Matt's Bullets sells 3 different 200gr bullets meant for the 38/200 depending on which revolver you are shooting.

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Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

That's a nice box. I have a couple boxes of commercial Kynoch 38 ammo but it is the later service load with the 178 gr jacketed bullet. Would love to find a box or two of the 38/200 for my ammo collection. I reload for my Webley's and Victory models but use the standard 146 gr S&W bullet. It shoots well enough for my needs (and I have a mold for it). One of these days I need to get a 200 gr mold and see how they do with that bullet.

.38 S&W was my first defensive cartridge (out of a DAO Enfield) at age 14. I still think it's underated on several fronts, including not causing serious audio disruption when fired indoors from a duty size revolver, plus having very adequate penetration, but not over-penetrative perfomance on two-legged size soft targets. My experience has been with the standard 145/146 gr US production, the warmer Fiocchi 145 gr LRN/FMJ products, and various eras of the 178 gr FMJ duty load.

I managed to buy several boxes of old Remington 38 S&W for my British lend lease victory. It shoots well enough (25m)

^^^ This. Other folks in this thread have also mentioned seeing bullets in flight. Seeing them from the side would require a slowwww... bullet! But from a position directly behind the shooter, one can see faster bullets.

It's common to see the glint off the base of a .308 Win flying out to 500 yds. Sure, the velocity in the direction of travel is high, but the vertical component is slow as the bullet goes above the line of sight and then falls. Easy to see in a spotting scope if the light is right and you get the "glint." I also commonly see 22 LR slugs in my rifle scope or in a spotting scope behind the shooter in our 200 meter matches. Sure helps in spotting for a shooter.

In the summer time shooting my 22-250 my spotter, looking through a
10-40 power scope on a tri-pod can watch my 52-55 gr, bullets out to 400 yards
by following the "Air waves" , as the bullet is on it's way to the target.

Being set up close to my left or right side, helps in seeing this fun part of shooting
and the spotter can sometimes call out a "Hit", even before the bullet gets to the target.

With my old 1903 bolt action and a big, slow, 200 gr bullet at 900 to1,00 yards
with good lighting or under a roof in the shade, I can roll to the side and
sometimes catch the bullets path, as it is on it's way.

I am sure that many of my 38 or 9mm loads could have been seen, if I
tried to look but I was too busy with target accuracy or chrony work, to notice.

I remember back in the day when we were shooting at water jugs on the 100 yard range and watching thru the spotting scope. You could see the 44 magnum slugs by glint of the sunlight as they hit , or missed, the jugs.

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Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760