.355 diameter 130 gr FMJ use?

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gordondewolf

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Recently acquired about 200 OLD .38 Auto rounds that were left out in the weather for years. Nickel cases, pulled them down, and now have about 185 clean,unfired cases in a caliber I don't use, but have the projectiles and not too sure what to do with them.

Thought about 9X19 Luger, but the velocities would be very slow in that caliber. I do load .38 Special, and part of my hobby is duplication of military ammunition, so I *could* load these to M41 specs (my go to powder is Unique).

Any suggestions, opinions or ideas?
 
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Those would work in 9mm, and would probably work OK in .38/.357, despite the bullet diameter being a little too small. Might have a little problem in bullets backing out under recoil due to a looser fit in the case. If you want to load them in .38/357 cases and have 9mm dies, you might want to use the 9mm expander plug/die instead of the one for .38/.357. You should be able to sell the .38 Super cases very easily.
 
If you don't use them for 9mm loads I'm sure you can find someone who will.
I'm kind of surprised there isn't more demand for bullets in the 130 to 135 range. I would think you could easily load them to subsonic velocities and have a nice target practice load.
 
Thanks for all of the great input. I'll likely load them sub-sonic in the 9mm. I have oodles and gobs of 9mm loaded up with 115 grain FMJs - and I'm talking bunches of it - but I may make a few of these up sub-sonic for grins and giggles.

That .38 Auto brass is inter-changeable with .38 Super. Might wait for somebody to offer a swap for a few fired .44 Special, .45 Colt or .30-30 Win brass cases.
 
"That .38 Auto brass is inter-changeable with .38 Super."

The only difference is the headstamp. Some very early .38 ACP cases used large pistol primers. I have some of those, HS is USCCo.
 
I loaded up a bunch of SNS 135 grain coated bullets and they did really well in my Beretta. I don't think 130's would be too slow at all. I've shot a LOT of 147's in that same pistol with great luck.
 
The cases (38auto) would probably be happily bought up by someone that reloads 38ACP or 9mmLargo.
New Largo brass is available from Starline for $100/500 (out of stock at the moment).
38Super (not 38ACP marked) is about $85/500 from them.

9mmLargo is a rimless case, but most of the pistols chambered for it will function nicely with the semi-rimmed 38auto/38Super brass.
Some of the users do trim the rims down however.

38ACP brass also works in 9mmSteyr pistol. Another somewhat odd one, but there are people that reload it.


The 130gr bullets are another favorite of the Largo & Steyr reloaders. Most of the Military rounds were loaded with a 125 or 130gr bullet.
Or,,just keep them & reload them in 9mmPara

Just some thoughts..
 
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