So I was at the range working up a new load and yapping with the RSO about what I was testing when the fellow in the next stall asked if I wanted his 38 special brass. Uhmmm is that a trick question "Yes, sir; thank you sir!"

The brass is marked "GFL 38SPLWADCUT." so I know that it is Fiocchi, and I've had good luck with their normal headstamps in multiple calibers so the company is not raising any questions, but I've never seen brass marked specifically for wadcutters. My 38spl reloading is with 158gr powder coated LRN bullets. I can't think of any reason not to use this brass, but since every rule in firearms seems to have an exception, I thought I would ask the group: any reason not to treat this brass just like normal 38 special brass for reloading purposes?

Thanks!

I read their description of the ammo and I can't see why you couldn't load it like any other brass.

Just curious, does the case have a cannelure around the case about where the base of the wadcutter bullet would have been? It shouldn't effect reloading one bit, just curious.

I wonder if it might have thinner case walls deeper into the case like Remington and WW double cannelured cases.........

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dd884
JMHO-YMMV

No patterns, indents, or lines on the case sides. Looks like a normal case.

My guess is that the brass will have the thinner, bullet bearing surface area extended deeper into the case than regular 38 Special brass. Other than that, it's probably the same as any other 38 Special case.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

Oh, looks like someone actually measured the GFL wadcutter brass with a comparison to Remington's wadcutter brass. Looks like the internal taper starts around 0.69" from the case mouth.

Are some brands / types of 38 Special cases better than others for reloading for Bullseye?

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

I have loaded more than a few GFL .38 special cases with no noticeable problems.

I load 38 special every week. Some military are crimped and hard to seat primers and go in the recycle. When I bench test I pick the same head stamp but can't tell a difference.

It's brass, just use it.

There is no difference once you resize it.
With or without indented cannelures.

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Still Running Against the Wind

Seems like the consensus here and in the linked thread is no red flags, just go for it, but I may get fewer loadings due to the thinner brass near the top of the case. If I someday start loading wadcutter rounds, then use the wadcutter brass I have for that purpose but its not that big of a deal unless I start doing bullseye matches and even then I may not notice a difference.

For now, I'll just use it for LRN and won't think about it again unless I start loading for an eventually purchased lever action rifle or wadcutter rounds. Thanks for all the input!

The only difference I can think of right now is similar to ddixie884's comment. Because wadcutters are normally deep seated, case walls are usually thinner and/or not tapered to reduce any case bulge as much as "standard" cases...