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Winchester still making 38 S&W?

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Brooklynite

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Is Winchester still putting out their Super-X 38 S&W ammo?

I recently picked up a revolver chambered in 38 S&W, and this is what finally pushed me to slowly gear up for reloading.

My plan was to have a few dozen cases set up for use with wax bullets (primer holes enlarged) and that the easiest way to quickly distinguish them would be to shoot off a box or two of Winchester ammo and use their nickeled cases for wax loads, and starline brass for standard loads.
But now I don't see any Winchester available.

It's still listed on their website as if its still being manufactured, but has anyone seen it for sale post-covid?

Alternatively, is there anyplace I can purchase nickel 38 S&W brass on its own?
 
I do reload 38 S&W. If I wanted a couple dozen nickel cases to set up for only wax bullets I would trim down some nickel plated 38 Special cases to the correct length. I don't think pressures generated by wax bullets will be enough to bulge the 38 Special cases when fired in a 38 S&W chamber.

Or I would stalk the online auctions or gun shows looking for a partial box of old nickel plated 38 S&W ammo or fired brass. Finding new Winchester nickel plated 38 S&W ammo is going to be a challenge.
 
This isn't the answer to your questions, but let me propose another solution to your dilemma I use.

I use the Speer plastic training cases available from a lot of reloading suppliers. They are short - around .675 from those I just measured, and they accept large pistol primers.

Buy Plastic Training Bullet Case for USD 12.99 | Speer

When I'm using them in a 38 S&W the plastic bullets from Speer don't fit in a good many revolvers, but work fine in 38 Specials. This X-Ring rubber bullet will work if the Speer does not.

X-RING Rubber Bullet .38 CAL./9MM - Rubber Bullet

Not the answer you were looking for, but maybe it might help. It's an easy solution for training.
 
Thanks TJm15.38, I’ve been able to find retailers with brass and ammo for sale. Just not the Winchester stuff.

Walnutred- that’s a good Idea and probably what I’ll wind up doing if I can’t locate the nickled cases. Itty Bitty cases with a 38 special (or 357) head stamp would be another safety feature. I don’t have the equipment yet for trimming a case down that much, but I’m sure I’ll find use for it soon anyway.
I actually saw someone with a 50rd box of Winchester that was half unfired ammo and half spent cases for sale on a local classified site. That’s what gave me the idea to use them, but the guy didn’t want to ship me just the brass. I’m going to Keep an eye out.

Burneyr- the Speer plastic training ammo was the first thing I purchased to try out in the revolver. Like you, I checked their dimensions and they are very close to 38 S&W. It was super easy to use, and fun, but about half the plastic cases cracked after the first use. I’m guessing because the slightly larger chambers allowed the brittle plastic to expand. Im going to try them again with a layer of tape around them to see if it helps. They still fire fine, but the “reusable” aspect doesn’t hold up yet.
I’ll check out those rubber bullets. I’m guessing they need the primer hole expanded too?


As far as that darn Winchester ammo, why do they still have it up on their webpage?
X38SWP | Winchester Ammunition

I’m sure I’m overthinking and overcomplicating this, and once I start cranking out real ammo won’t care as much about wax bullets. But sometimes I get a silly little idea in my head and want to see it through.
 
Brooklynite said:
Burneyr- the Speer plastic training ammo was the first thing I purchased to try out in the revolver. Like you, I checked their dimensions and they are very close to 38 S&W. It was super easy to use, and fun, but about half the plastic cases cracked after the first use. I’m guessing because the slightly larger chambers allowed the brittle plastic to expand. Im going to try them again with a layer of tape around them to see if it helps. They still fire fine, but the “reusable” aspect doesn’t hold up yet.
I’ll check out those rubber bullets. I’m guessing they need the primer hole expanded too?

I’m sure I’m overthinking and overcomplicating this, and once I start cranking out real ammo won’t care as much about wax bullets. But sometimes I get a silly little idea in my head and want to see it through.
Click to expand...

I'm averaging 3-4 firings before I get a case crack with standard primers. Wonder if you got a bad batch?

Yes, the rubber bullets also require enlarging the flash holes.

I don't think you're overthinking it - I've had way too much fun launching plastic and rubber bullets over the years. That raccoon I knocked off my garbage can had a chance for a reformed life too. :D
 
To answer the question about ammo availability, the factories make runs of everything listed in their catalog, but in proportion to demand. So a good rule of thumb is if you want an uncommon caliber (let alone brand), buy quickly when you see it.
 
I still have some old W-W plastic cases and bullets. They will work in both .38 S&W and .38 Spl revolvers. As noted, the plastic cases are prone to splitting after a few firings. Possibly that problem has been fixed in newer production. I remember Speer made similar cases and bullets, maybe also other makers. Bullets will break up if you shoot them onto a hard surface. Use a cardboard box full of rags, etc. as a target.
 
Speer made them too. Really handy on pests.

For uncommon ammunition like .38 S&W my LGS will order it for you. Reloading is the answer for ammunition shortages and obsolete calibers.
 
I bought one box of Rem. S&W LRN ammo for a Victory model several years ago and it was 38$. I had a hard time with the guy behind the counter explaining I did not want 38 spec. So I decided to roll my own .38-200 ammo. I got the 200 gr. lead bullets on Gunbroker and also purchased a bulk of what claimed to be once fired nickel cases on same site. Then had to buy dies. The cases were Western and W-W, WRA but they looked real good, not junk brass. You might try Gunbroker if no one else has nickel cases. Or the guy that suggested cutting short some 38 spec cases for wax bullets might work OK as long as they are not used for regular loads.
 
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tom2 said:
I bought one box of Rem. S&W LRN ammo for a Victory model several years ago and it was 38$. I had a hard time with the guy behind the counter explaining I did not want 38 spec. So I decided to roll my own .38-200 ammo. I got the 200 gr. lead bullets on Gunbroker and also purchased a bulk of what claimed to be once fired nickel cases on same site. Then had to buy dies. The cases were Western and W-W, WRA but they looked real good, not junk brass. You might try Gunbroker if no one else has nickel cases. Or the guy that suggested cutting short some 38 spec cases for wax bullets might work OK as long as they are not used for regular loads.
Click to expand...
.38 Special cases can be shortened and used in a .38 S&W revolver. Except it is a bit of a chore to do it. Same is true of .38 Super cases. .38 Short Colt cases will work in a .38 S&W revolver but those would probably be more difficult to find than .38 S&W cases. And they probably would not be nickeled.
 
I once did the wax bullet thing. The one thing I haven't seen anyone mention is that if you're gonna do that, you have to drill the flash hole out to 1/8 inch. DO NOT USE THOSE WITH GUN POWDER!!!!
 
Sorry to disagree, but 38 Colt uses a .358" bullet, while 38 S&W uses a .361" bullet. Over the years, I have shot shortened 38 Special brass and .358" bullets. Most important is the accuracy stinks. You also split a percentage of cases, especially with heavier loadings. It is not worth wasting your time loading.

You can load .361" bullets into a 38 Special case, but two things happen, the bullet is downsized to some unknown dimension, and the brass is enlarged to fit the larger bullet. Some cases will buckle, others can split. Again, stick with the right cases, the right bullets, and you will be much happier with the results shooting your 38 S&W.
 
A generic answer for all "obsolete" cartridges. 38 S&W, .32 S&W & Colt, 38-55, 45-70, etc. etc. etc. is to stock up on what you think you will need (for the long run) when you can. The exception is if you reload of course, then it matters less - except for SD, HD situations.

Even things that are technically still being made such as the 16 gauge SG shells. Yes, you do see them once in a blue moon, but most stores only carry a bare minimum and only in the more popular loadings.
 
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Just wanted to thank forum member walnutred for gifting me a baker’s dozen nickeled cases. These have been fun and will hold me over till I locate a pile of ‘em.
31684586-0-EF8-4-C5-C-B1-E4-6848-E0714976.jpg
 
Definitely not cheap. Around forty years ago, I bought a nice little .38 S&W Safety Hammerless from an unfortunately now-defunct shop "just because". Later, I got a box of ammunition just to have some shootable cartridges. I never got as far as shooting the gun. I am now very tempted.
 
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