Bullseye Smith
Member
Does anyone reload the 38 short colt? Is it like the 32 Long on being a tack driver? I heard guys talking at gun shows how well they do on the reload in moon clips, and can the regluar old 38/357 dies work on them?
38 short colt
- Thread starter Bullseye Smith
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I have some that I load to shoot out of my .38/.357s. I've never really tried to load them for accuracy, but then I don't expect too much because of how short they are for the chambers. I don't think they will be as accurate as a .32 long, even out of a .38 short firearm, but that is just a guess on my part.
You may have a problem using .38 spl. dies on them due to their being so short.
You may have a problem using .38 spl. dies on them due to their being so short.
Doc Watson
Member
My first decent handgun was a Colt Police Positive in .38 Short Colt, I never reloaded for it. But, an older friend to show me that it could be done, reloaded one round for me, using .38 special dies. He used if I remember correctly, washers as spacers, much the way we do today, loading .44 special and .38 special using magnum dies. As you probably know all .38 Short and Long Colts can be chambered and shot in .38 Special guns. Hope this helps.
OP
Bullseye Smith
Member
Thanks Doc & Jelly for the information, I checked Dillon for dies and couldn't find them so I guess I will go on a die hunt 
.
.I guess you are reloading for a modern gun, not the original outside lubricated .38 Short Colt?
Lee has dies. I bought them and got myself a laugh. You get one standard .38/.357 sizer die, one .38 S&W powder trough die and a .38 Automatic (ACP) bullet seater die. So like me you maybe have them already.
But, the combination works just fine. If you want/can use 9mm bullets just use a 9mm seater.
I get the best accuracy when I use the .38 Short Colt brass as a "Rimmed 9mm". Loaded like a moderate 9mm with 125 grain plated HP bullets. I got surprised by the accuracy it delivered out of a mod. 66.
I have tried some 85 grain HBWC bullets with mild loads, but so far that has not been very impressive.
...and yes, it works great with moon clips. That's the reason I ventured in to reloading .38 Short Colt.
Lee has dies. I bought them and got myself a laugh. You get one standard .38/.357 sizer die, one .38 S&W powder trough die and a .38 Automatic (ACP) bullet seater die. So like me you maybe have them already.
But, the combination works just fine. If you want/can use 9mm bullets just use a 9mm seater.
I get the best accuracy when I use the .38 Short Colt brass as a "Rimmed 9mm". Loaded like a moderate 9mm with 125 grain plated HP bullets. I got surprised by the accuracy it delivered out of a mod. 66.
I have tried some 85 grain HBWC bullets with mild loads, but so far that has not been very impressive.
...and yes, it works great with moon clips. That's the reason I ventured in to reloading .38 Short Colt.
OP
Bullseye Smith
Member
Bet you can use a 38 sizer and the rest in 9mm !!!!
Ignatz
Member
Would you buy new brass or trim 38spl brass down to long or short Colt length?
I know Starline makes the long and short Colt brass, but in matches I see competitors using Federal brass thats probably trimmed to size.
Most of us have more 38 spl brass than we can use in a lifetime. I'm not sure how long it would take to trim that much brass!
I know Starline makes the long and short Colt brass, but in matches I see competitors using Federal brass thats probably trimmed to size.
Most of us have more 38 spl brass than we can use in a lifetime. I'm not sure how long it would take to trim that much brass!
bmcgilvray
Member
Bet you can too. I've employed 9mm dies in the production of .38 S&W before for flaring case mouths and for seating and crimping.
OP
Bullseye Smith
Member
I ordered a set of dies, and I cut down 50 pieces of brass ( took a little over 10 mins on the lafth). So when they get here I will load up a few and see how it does. Thanks for the help, John
OP
Bullseye Smith
Member
I got to load the ones I cut down and shot them today, shot a little low at 25 yards but right on at 10-12 yards. Guess I need to cut the load some, I put 2.3grs. of Titegroup in them. What do you guys figure- do I cut it to 2grs. to bring it up?
stantheman86
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I don't reload but had looked into .38 Short Colt as a lower noise backyard plinking alternative that I could use in my .38 Special revolvers.....I found the noise level to be the same as .38 S&W so it was not worth $30 a box to me, so I just shoot my Victory in 38/200 in the backyard.
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