Has anyone slugged the barrel of their 627 in 38 Super?

I slugged mine, but the 5 lands and 5 grooves make it difficult to accuratly measure the bore diameter.

So, what size bulets work best? I have loaded some .355" Berry's plated 124 gr FP's (over 5.0 grns of Win 231), and accuracy is less that stellar...maybe I should be using 38 cal bullets? (.357"/.358")

Any advice is appreciated

Sgt Preston here. I just looked in Lyman's 3rd Edition Pistol & Revolver Handbook. Lyman shows the bullet diameter for 9MM at .355 & the 38 Super at .356 while the 38 Special & 357 Mag's are listed at .358. Lee's Modern Reloading 2nd Edition shows the 9MM at .356, the 38 Super at .356 while the 357 & 38 Special at shown at .358. Speer's 10th Reloading manual lists the 9MM at .355/.356, the 38 Super at .355/.356 & while the 38 Special & 357 mags at .357/.358. I don't have an answer for you, BUT it appears that .357/.358 is probably too large & could increase pressure levels to an unsafe zone. Based on my personal experience with the same bullet fired out of my 9MM, I would recommend trying a lighter load, starting at 4.5 Grains of Win 231. Hope this helps. Sgt Preston USMC LLA

You can shoot .38 lead but I would measure your barrel slug and compare it to the front cylinder opening (name?). You should be at least a .001 bigger on the cylinder then the slug.
I would double check those numbers first then check around for some larger size bullets.

In 1911 land when bullseye smiths built 38 wadcutter guns they would ream the chamber of a 38super to take the 38 special. so the bore is not really an issue.(they only run target loads and lead though)

Oh and try measureing the end of the muzzle, in mine theres just enough room to measure in the grooves w/ digital dial caliper.

Thanbks for the replies

I do know how to measure, I'm tool & die maker by trade. The problem is measuring ACCURATELY over an odd amount of lands & grooves, as they are not 180 degrees across from each other.

Same goes for measuring the ID of the barrel. + or - .001" makes a significant difference in this case.

I rekon I'll take the gun into work, and have the inspector measure the bore using the CMM (which is an electronic, computerized measuring system)

Russ, be careful, handguns on Company properity result in immediate termination where I work. I actually can't blame the Company in lieu of all the workplace violence that has gone on in recent years. Actually handguns in the locked, unopened trunk of my car can result in the same thing, so I have to be careful NOT to tell people too much about where I'm going or what I'm doing after work. Just be careful. I'd play with the powder volume some more & perhaps try a different weight bullet. Sgt Preston USMC LLA

Funny how Employers think they can trump the 2nd amendment.

I work in a small machine shop http://jtoolmfg.com/

Like most small machine shops around here, It's cool to bring 'em in and fiddle with them. I have made many parts, modifications, re-finshings and such over the years. All the shops I've worked at have allowed me to add parts to the black oxide (blueing) shipments with no charge. I've also had some nickle and hard chrome work done as well. Call it a perk.

Just a follow up,

The cylinder "free bore" (is that the right term?) measure .3562" on all 8 chambers.

My slug was askew, and we couldn't get a good reading on it. I'll try and measure the barrel's bore directly.

I have used 4.5 to 5.0 gr. W-231 with either 130 gr. Rainier or 124 gr. Star FMJ witrh excellent accuracy. I prefer the 151 gr. Rainier or 147 gr. Berry's with ca. 3.6 gr. Titegroup. Both of these loads were shot in my S&W 686 in 38 Super.

quote:

Originally posted by RussB:
Has anyone slugged the barrel of their 627 in 38 Super?

I slugged mine, but the 5 lands and 5 grooves make it difficult to accuratly measure the bore diameter.

So, what size bulets work best? I have loaded some .355" Berry's plated 124 gr FP's (over 5.0 grns of Win 231), and accuracy is less that stellar...maybe I should be using 38 cal bullets? (.357"/.358")

Any advice is appreciated

TSQUARED,

What bullet diameter are you pet loads using? I'm guessing .356"?

RussB,
Tha Star 124 gr. FMJ's are o.356", the 130 ndr 151 gr. Rainiers as well as the 147 gr. Berry's are advertised as 0.356" - I have never miked them.

quote:

Originally posted by RussB:
TSQUARED,

What bullet diameter are you pet loads using? I'm guessing .356"?