In a package deal from an estate sale I got box and a half of some very vintage red cardboard box Hornady #3588 .358 SWC bullets. Unfortunately my Hornady manual is a newer version  which they now call this bullet a #10408 seated for a 1.455 OAL in .38 and 1.59 in .357. Does anyone have an old Hornady manual to confirm the OAL for the #3588 in .38 and .357. Worst case I can seat the bullet flush with the wadcutter shoulder and lightly taper crimp there. 

I'm figuring on a starting load of 3.5g of HP-38 for the .38 in a S&W Mdl 10-6 or 4g of HP-38 for the .357 to feed a SAA. My other pistol powder choices are PowerPistol and AA#5.

And before someone gets a dope slap, these bullets DO NOT have a crimp grove to index on . Please, don't, I implore you, resist the urge...

I just checked my J frame .38 special.
Lots of OAL out there per bullet makers and ammo types but.....

a 158 SWC lead has, .11" setback from the front of my cylinder.

Stay safe.

Back in time, manuals DID NOT cover COL and, often, didn't even reference the bullet more than jacketed or lead. Only modern loaders need to have their hand's held.
1) The bullet can't stick out the front of the barrel
2) In olden days, with bullets without a crimp groove or cannelure, you would roll crimp over the shoulder or ogive of the bullet.
3) The third edition (1980) only covers #3586, a 158gn L-RNSWC at 1.590". The fourth edition covers #3586 at 1.590", #3588 at 1.590" and #3589 at 1.590". Surprise, surprise. #3588 is a shorter nosed SWC than #3589, a SWCHP.

Attached Images

Screen Shot 2017-09-17 at 10.53.36.jpg (74.7 KB, 28 views)

1.445" is fine. I have used these bullets since the 70`s. My last batch of .38`s with it are seated at 1.450". The numbers identifying this knurled and powdered 158gr LSWC have changed but I see no difference in the bullet itself. WW 231 propels my favorite load at an average of 840 fps with no leading.
Jim

Not a lot more to say!

__________________
Gunsmithing since 1961

Um, gee thanks for the odd collection of insult and information.

I have a fourth edition book and it shows #3588 OAL as 1.475" in the .38 Special case. Use that as a guide only; I wouldn't seat deeper as it will serve no purpose and could raise pressures dangerously should you use heavy loads. Seat it out a bit if you're experimentally inclined as you could see an accuracy improvement. Taper crimp is fine, but only use enough to keep the bullet from moving under recoil. Too much crimp and you may distort the bullet enough to cause inaccuracy. Good luck-

In reality when a manual gives you an OAL it's not telling you that's what you have to use, it's telling you what they used. I only use that information to know if I should change the powder charge weight if I seat the bullet deeper in the case which can raise the pressures.

As a general rule you only need enough bullet in the case for the neck tension to secure the bullet. Usually you will want a caliber length in the case. In this application you would want a minimum of .358" of the bullet in the case. More is fine as long as you pay attention to the powder charge weights. There is nothing wrong with using the 1.455" OAL listed in the current Hornady manual. What was used in an older manual means nothing.

I would not use a taper crimp on this bullet. Just apply a light roll crimp and call it good...

__________________
Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437