For those searching for data there is another fine article by Brian Pearce in the current, #351, issue of Handloader magazine on the old .38 S&W ctg. In a top break Enfield revolver no less!
Handloading the .38 S&W
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.38SuperMan
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Thanks for the info.
I load for my Terrier using this data.
Reloading The .38 Smith & Wesson - Reload Ammo
I’m using the Missouri 145 grain RN lead .361.
I’ve had very good results with Bullseye and 231/HP38.
I load for my Terrier using this data.
Reloading The .38 Smith & Wesson - Reload Ammo
I’m using the Missouri 145 grain RN lead .361.
I’ve had very good results with Bullseye and 231/HP38.
I have loaded appx. 200gr. lead rifle bullets in .38 S&W for a Victory model with like 2.5 grains of Unique. Not had alot of experimentation with loads but it sure makes holes in the target. I did previously buy a box of factory ammo for it but I had to explain to the guy in the gunshop that it was NOT special ammo, just plain .38 etc. and he finally found the box. Big $$$
SGT ROCK 11B
Member
I never reloaded the .38 S&W but I would think Bullseye or W231 would be a great powder choice.
.38SuperMan
Member
Your post inspired me to pull my terrier out and will be taking it to the range tomorrow.
I’m loading 2.1 grains of Bullseye under the 146 grain lead RN. Very mild shooting.
I’m loading 2.1 grains of Bullseye under the 146 grain lead RN. Very mild shooting.
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DWalt
Member
It's possible to come up with stout .38 S&W loads so long as you don't fire them in an old top break. The problem is to come up with a load that shoots close to your point of aim.
Eddie Southgate
Member
I carry a m32 from the late 60's loaded with Herco and Speer GD 110 and 135 grain bullets. Have not shot the load in the short barrel across a chrono but the 5" barrel gives 1040 fps for the charge I use with the 135gr GDHPSB .
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I use a 158 gr. SWC, 3 grs. Unique, 783 FPS in a Victory .38 S&W. Larry
Greg11H20
Member
Back in the day, the .38 S&W was THE revolver cartridge.
Ivan the Butcher
Member
From my guns, "The Day" was either from an 1896 Lemon Squeezer* or a 1920 Regulation Police.
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*For you purists a 5th model Safety Hammerless!
Ivan
DWalt
Member
Loading .38 S&W was one of my first reloading attempts many years ago. I used .38 Special lead bullets, and light charges of Bulleye. My only .38 S&W revolver then was a S&W .38 DA top break, 4th. I still have it. Also have around a half dozen other .38 S&W revolvers.
.38 Special (Pet Loads) | Handloader Magazine
Handloader, December/January 2022
This article by Brian Pierce lists some .38 Spl loads. Not .38 S&W. But a great article.
Handloader, December/January 2022
This article by Brian Pierce lists some .38 Spl loads. Not .38 S&W. But a great article.
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BLACKHAWKNJ
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My one foray into reloading 38 S&W, an HBWC over 2.7 grains of Bullseye worked great in my 1932 No. 2 Mk. 1. Yes, like the 45 Long Colt the 38 S&W should be kept mild for all those old top breaks.
The British were always about their "Manstopper" military ammunition and the 38 caliber was no exception. They used .361" 200g lead bullets for their 38 British Service Revolver during WWII. Bullets are available at Matt's Bullets.
I have no BSRs so have no reloading data, but there are some discussions out there on reloading this cartridge if you research online. Examples are below, but more investigations are in order before reloading for them. Be careful since much of it involves using .357" bullets for 38 S&Ws and not the .361" that the 38 S&W needs for accuracy.
"3.0 grains of Unique and 3.3 grains of Herco in 38 S&W loads for the Webley-Enfield and S&W M&P revolvers and the 202 grain lead bullet run about 650-675 FPS.
200g- .361” w/2 grs. of Bullseye, 2.8 of W231 or 3.5 of Unique gives 630 fps in a 4" revolver."
I have no BSRs so have no reloading data, but there are some discussions out there on reloading this cartridge if you research online. Examples are below, but more investigations are in order before reloading for them. Be careful since much of it involves using .357" bullets for 38 S&Ws and not the .361" that the 38 S&W needs for accuracy.
"3.0 grains of Unique and 3.3 grains of Herco in 38 S&W loads for the Webley-Enfield and S&W M&P revolvers and the 202 grain lead bullet run about 650-675 FPS.
200g- .361” w/2 grs. of Bullseye, 2.8 of W231 or 3.5 of Unique gives 630 fps in a 4" revolver."
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I shoot Matt's bullets in my Webley. He offers three flavors of 200 grain bullets. Two are the MK I and MK II profiles used in the .38/200 and work great in the Webley. The third one is too long and protrudes from the cylinder mouths. He explains all this very well on the website. Of course that didn't stop me from ordering some of the longer ones by mistake only to find out for myself.
.455_Hunter
Member
The 200 gr hemispherical LRN loading was used in the pre-war era and some training during the war. However, to be treaty/convention compliant, the 178 gr FMJ loading was introduced in 1937 and what was utilized for subsequent wartime and general service duty.
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Ivan the Butcher
Member
Dead soft lead .357/.358 bullets seem to take the refiling well.
30 to 35 Years ago, I bought a box of 500 cast bullets in .359 RN for 35 Remington. They were fine in the 35 Remington 336 but were great in the Marlin 1894C 357 mag and in 38 S&W Iver Johnson top breaks.
Ivan
30 to 35 Years ago, I bought a box of 500 cast bullets in .359 RN for 35 Remington. They were fine in the 35 Remington 336 but were great in the Marlin 1894C 357 mag and in 38 S&W Iver Johnson top breaks.
Ivan
DWalt
Member
.358 cast bullets are satisfactory. .38 S&W SAAMI tolerance specs allow for bullets having a diameter down to .355.
. . . unless you are using 38 S&W dies. After sizing, the 357 bullet will drop right down into the 38 S&W case. Accuracy is definitely poorer using small bullets. If you are going to shoot any particular caliber, do the right thing and load with the proper bullets and brass.
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