What's the Difference..? 38S&W or 38/200

TACC1 · Mar 24, 2011

Since discovering the older S&W's, I've also discovered the
shortage of ammo and ammo choices. Since I don't reload, yet,
I'm stuck with store-bought.
Would like to try something with a little more oomph, and would
like to know if 38S&W and 38/200 are the same size, and if they
are interchangeable. Would like to run the 38/200 through a
Terrier, not a break-top.
What say you? Thanks for any replies, TACC1.

ArchAngelCD · Mar 24, 2011

38 S&W and 38/200 ammo is the same but for the bullet weight. The 38/200 designation was given to that ammo by the British during WWII when they started using the Enfield in 38 S&W. I reload some 38/200 ammo just for kicks to shoot in my Enfield. Normally the 38 S&W is loaded with a 146 gr RN bullet. I have a 170gr RNFP bullet I like to load for my 38 S&W ammo that works very well for me.

Like I said, the same but for the bullet weight. The British were thinking a heavy slow bullet will work better than a light faster bullet to stop a man. It works with the 45 Colt so why not with the 38 S&W?

TACC1 · Mar 24, 2011

Thank you, that's what I was hoping for. I can see that I've put off getting into reloading way too long.
Nothing I like better than a chance to do a range test/review!
Will post results and impressions, TACC1.

mkk41 · Mar 24, 2011

The British load used a 200gr bullet at around 600fps. The Brits are so polite and civilized , they didn't want to hurt anyone.

OFT II · Mar 25, 2011

You will likely notice quite a bit of difference in the point of impact. I would expect that the 200 grainer will hit above the 146 grain slug at any distance.

CTSixshot · Mar 25, 2011

FWIW, I just loaded up some 38 S&W's for another shooter using the Lee 125g TC bullet (356-120-TC). This mold drops the bullet at .359" so I lubed them and loaded them as is. These are just plinking loads, but it was the handiest bullet I had available for the recent reloading session.
Next time, I'll likely use a NEI 148 358 mold that drops a similar profile bullet that would easily size at .360" or less, too. This one is about 164g in weight.
Many simply use the standard .358" cast bullets for a 38 Special and probably do okay, even though the original 38 S&W was designed for a .360" LRN.
Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook 3rd lists bullet weights from 92g to 158g. The latter having loads that generate velocities from 486fps (W231) to 805 fps (Unique).

old tanker · Mar 25, 2011

NEI #169A

I don't know if they are still available, but the 2 cavity NE! #169A mould blocks I have drop bullets around 205 grains and about .362 diameter. bullets to load .38/200 for the Enfield. With a moderate charge of Unique, they work fine in a Colt Police Positive as well.

For .38 S&W I used the Lyman 358071, 145 grain round nose, unsized, and usually over FFFg in deference to the old black powder era guns that use them.

They are easy to tell apart, so far I haven't mixed them up and sprung an old break top with a 200 grain smokeless load.

TACC1 · Mar 26, 2011

I'll JUST PRINT UP THESE REPLIES....

The answers I've gotten pretty much mandate a reloading operation.
Commercially available ammo leaves just three choices. While two
of them are okay in the old top-breaks, they're kind of a waste of
time and effort in a Terrier. I just might have to get another 38 S&W
in a model 32 to check loads, before putting them in the Terrier.
Thank you, folks! TACC1

WR Moore · Apr 3, 2011

It may well be a collector cartridge now, but at one time there was a movement to revamp the .38 S&W to higher pressures for weapons like the Terrier. The round was labeled the .380 MkII and I can recall Norma loading it.

I'm not sure if it died as a result of lack of demand or the realization that some dolt might chamber it in a 19th centuty breaktop.

TACC1 · Apr 4, 2011

Thanks wr moore,
I am sure you're right on the money. Sure as heck, some dolt Would have to try it out. It'd be messy too, I bet.

LouisianaMan · Apr 11, 2011

Hi TACC1,

Take a look at http://smith-wessonforum.com/reloading/98749-38-s-w-load-devopment-pt-1-a-4.html for more on this addictive cartridge & load.

I recently got my hands on some vintage Winchester .38 S&W Super Police ammo & have chrono'ed it, disassembled & measured, etc. Will post details soon.

Check to see if Old Western Scrounger has .38-200 in stock.

Check out Cast Boolts site for a group buy on 200g mold, if you're interested in casting your own. Actually, it's pretty easy when you're casting for low-pressure cartridges like this one--I started less than 2 years ago & a few hours' reading gave me most of what I needed to know. Mold cost + $100 or so will get you casting. Reloading is also simple--believe me, I'm no engineer--as long as you're meticulous. A couple hundred $$ will set you up in reloading.

And yes, reloading is the way to go for this cartridge, which I think has much more potential than many assume. I'm not claiming it's a .45, but it penetrates deeply with flat-points & tumbles powerfully with pointy bullets, and I strongly suspect both approaches have a lot to offer.

Happy shooting!

What's the Difference..? 38S&W or 38/200

TACC1

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ArchAngelCD

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TACC1

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mkk41

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OFT II

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CTSixshot

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old tanker

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TACC1

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WR Moore

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TACC1

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LouisianaMan

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