I have a 1887 top break 38cal and I'm trying to determine what size lead bullet to get. I did a 2 inch cast of the barrel using Cerrosafe and came up with the following with groves I got .359 With lands I got .354. On the Cylinder at where the lead bullet would be I got .360.
So If someone could help and let me know how Do I determine what size bullet to get.

You take the groove diameter and add .001” to .002”. And so .360” to .361” should work.

Yes, standard load was a .360" 146g RN. Barnes book says .359" and 145g RN.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

Thanks everyone for the info...

Funny you should ask, I just bought some from Matt's Bullets. He currently sells two kinds, 200 grain for Webleys and 180 grain for S&Ws. The web site says the S&W hollow point are a new product for February , but I bought regular round-nose just a few months ago, but don't remember the weight. Maybe give them a call. I loaded them with 2.8 grains of Unique and use them in a late-model New Departure.

38 S&W : Matts Bullets Ammunition

Update: I checked my box and they were .361 round nose 150 grain.

Peter

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Peter #2091

Interesting that the did not use the same bullet as the top-breaks were originally designed with. My guess is that those are designed for WWII BSRs. I buy my 38 S&W from Missouri Bullets but they are not casting that caliber and many others for now, just the popular calibers.

Might try mattsbullets.com as they list 4 different .361" designs. Three for BSRs and one 150g RN for top-breaks.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

I have some old Remington 158gr. RNL factory bullets that mike out at .361 and have a concave base. I was told they were designed specifically for 38 S&W, I got them from a guy older than me who was a fan of top breaks. They are allox coated and very ugly, but even with their age have no sign of oxidation, allox is good stuff.