Question for People that reload 38 S&W for the Victory model

[antiques24]

So, do I need to find some .361 bullets, or, will .358 do? I load .358 for my Bankers Special, and, Police positive. Does pretty good. Just wondering if S&W really had a larger bore, or just used their 38 special barrels on hand for the Victory models. Thanks.

 

[Alk8944]

SAAMI standards for .38 S&W/.38 Colt New Police indicate a bullet dimension specification of .355" to .361". For practical use any bullet within this range is acceptable from a safety perspective. .358 is completely acceptable although better accuracy may be produced using bullets from .361" to .363" for cast bullets.

Barrel dimensions specified are .3555" to .3595" A barrel with a groove dimension of .358" falls right within these dimensions. I have always suspected S&W simply used the same tooling to produce barrels for both .38 S&W and .38 Special guns. To do otherwise would simply make no sense!

Don't get your "knickers" in a knot over a specific diameter of bullet for any cartridge like too many re-loaders do, it isn't necessary!

 

[gwpercle]

The 148 gr. 38 special hollow based lead target wadcutter bullet , the soft swaged lead type, works well if you can get a supply ...
they may be easier to find than .361" dia. bullets .
The modest pressure of the 38 S&W loads will expand the base as needed to fit wartime production throats and barrels .
Don't load them with bullet seated flush , leave room for powder , seat the bullet out of the case , far enough to chamber and with about the same powder capacity as factory loaded case ... a tad more space will not hurt . Then crimp the bullet gently ... the soft lead will hold well.
Gary

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Several years ago I wanted to load some 38/200 loads. I bought a box of 500 cast 200 grain RN for 35 Remington in .358. It's a different profile round nose, but they were very accurate and the recovered projectiles had nice crisp rifling where they had filled the bore. Lyman loading data was used.

Ivan

 

[Alk8944]

^^^^^^
This would be an acceptable solution as long as it does not result in chambering issues due to the larger bullet resulting in the case diameter as-seated is not too large.

 

[DWalt]

I have used both 0.361 and 0.358 lead bullets for many years, and I can detect no significant difference in grouping performance. The main problem will be to find a bullet weight and powder charge combination that shoots close to the point of aim. You can easily load the .38 S&W to equal .38 Special performance so long as you intend to shoot them only in a Victory revolver, never in one of the old top breaks.

And yes, at least in regard to Victories, those in .38 S&W have barrel bores which are slightly larger in diameter vs. those in .38 Special.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

^^^^^^
This would be an acceptable solution as long as it does not result in chambering issues due to the larger bullet resulting in the case diameter as-seated is not too large.

I don't remember about crimping groves! COAL is what is it, crimp on a driving band if necessary! The Original 38/200 bullets have a much longer ogive. So the bullet were actually longer than the rifle RN bullets.

I size cases with a 38 Super sizing die and use 9mm seating and taper crimp dies. My best friend has the 38 S&W die set. Just too far to drive to get it. Avoid 38 Special sizing dies, they over stresss the web area on the cases and usually crack just above the web on the next reloading. ASK ME HOW I KNOW!

Ivan

Currently all my 38 S&W revolvers are American Top Breaks, so my Enfield and solid frame ammo awaits the next gun to be used in. Once in a while some production S&W Model 10's will chamber and shoot well the S&W cartridge. My F-I-L's 1958 issue Model 10 will chamber them, one of his Cadet Classmates has the next consecutive SN, and won't chamber 38 S&W! (If I get desperate, I can shoot them in my 4" 686!)

 

[Inland7-45]

.361" from Missouri Bullet

So, do I need to find some .361 bullets, or, will .358 do? I load .358 for my Bankers Special, and, Police positive. Does pretty good. Just wondering if S&W really had a larger bore, or just used their 38 special barrels on hand for the Victory models. Thanks.

I have been using a 158 gr RN cast from a Magma mold and sized to .359". The .361" dia 145 gr RN is now available again from Missouri Bullet. I just picked up 500 with 500 more on the way.

The 158 RNs worked ok but I can't get anymore for awhile and I have had great luck with Missouri and their .361 RN is made for .38 S&W. I have a pre lend lease 5" M&P in .38 S&W made in 1941 and a beautiful 4" Colt Police Positve made in 1917. Congratulations on finding a Bankers Special. Not something you see every day

 

[DWalt]

I also load .38 S&W with the same.38 Super/9mm die combination and always have. My .38 Super sizing die is a bit too long to seat bullets properly in .38 S&W cases, so I use a 9mm seating die. It is well known that some .38/.357 revolvers will chamber and fire some brands of factory .38 Super and .38 S&W ammunition. It is a matter of tolerance overlap. Factory .38 Super ammunition (cases have a semi-rim) works OK in any .38 Special revolver that will accept it. It actually feels like a fairly light load.

 

[Nagloc68]

Timely thread, as I also have a Victory S&W FTR in Australia in 1954, but maintained the .38S&W chambers. I have been shooting factory loads with 145gr lead RN, but researched that the original british load was the 38/200, but also read that the later Mk2z seemed to use a 178gr LRN. So two questions: 1) should I purchase 200 or 178gr bullets? 2) do you have any comments on the quality of reloading commercial Remington or Magtech brass with a heavier bullet? As usual, thanks in advance for any advice or comments.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

IMO you should use a .361" bullet for the 38 S&W. They are not hard to find. Missouri Bullets and several other have the bullets you need for a fair price.

Will a .358" cast bullets work, sure, but how well?

BTW, try to use only cast bullets in that revolver. They are much easier on the barrel.

 

[robertrwalsh]

I have used both but have gotten perfectly decent results with hollow base or even cup base lead bullets sized .358.