Hi I'm trying to find out a manufacturer year on a box of speer 38/357. Google hasn't been any help so if anyone has any insight I would appreciate it. Thank you!

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A WAG is roughly the early 60's perhaps earlier. Let's hear from others.

The pictured box has a ZIP code on it. ZIP codes were not introduced until July 1, 1963 so that box has to be newer than that date. I don't recall those graphics, but it does appear to be of a style that would have been from the 1960s so that box is between 1963 and ca. 1970.

You can go to the Cartridge Collectors Association forum and ask there for a more definitive answer, but I believe you must join to ask questions, just like on this forum.

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Gunsmithing since 1961

Internet info says zip codes were originated in WW2, but implemented in 1963. When Speer started using a zip code I don't know.

Speer changed to a new lot number system in 1970. The shown lot number is earlier than 1970.

I don't remember the yellow shot capsule. It has been blue for the longest time.

I'm guessing 1960s.

No codes on the inside of the box?

I've never seen yellow ones. They've always been blue. But I only started reloading in 1978.

I thought my 1970 Speer Reloading Manual #8 might shed some light on those yellow shot capsules and box ... and it almost did ... but all the photo's are in black and white ... back in the day when we had no color !

If anyone has better eyes than me ( I have glaucoma and am hard of seeing ) look in your old speer reloading manual and see if you can spot those capsules / box ... I thought there was a page about reloading the shot capsuls in one of the Speer Manuals if not #8 maybe #9 or #10 .
I'm thinking the yellow capsules date to late 60's ... and maybe they went into early 70's .
Gary

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NRA Member

Didn't they have a little paper in the boxes of shot capsules with loading data? At least I seem to remember that I may even have some really old capsules here. I was out looking through the grudge yesterday. I found most of my S&W ammo and a boxof the crimped Remington 45 auto shotshells.

I've had a few of those older style shot loads bought second hand. To the best of my recollection they came out in the mid 60's. I think the yellow capsules were too brittle (have had a couple broken ones in boxes I've owned) and were replaced by the blue capsules in the early 70's. Which are what I've had in factory loads (and components) that I bought new in the mid/late 70's.

That would be the International Ammunition Association forum, somewhat like this one. It is an ammunition collectors group and is the best place to ask any question involving ammunition (but NOT reloading). Non members can access it, like here. And you can join free, but you won't get their bimonthly journal which does involve a fee. If it can't be answered there, it can't be answered. Unlike here, it is a fairly small group, about 1000, but they include the worldwide ammunition experts on everything between .22 BB caps and nuclear weapons.

Did that and will report any information here.

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S&WHF #946
S&WCA #3824

Afraid I am striking out there. Link: Can anyone ID this Speer box? - General Ammunition Discussion - International Ammunition Association Web Forum

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S&WHF #946
S&WCA #3824

Give it some time. Someone who knows will appear.