SN: 800xx, last pat. date: Jun 5(?) '90, nickle finish maybe 25% but tight and bore and chambers in ex. condition. Homemade wood grips. Previous owner was shooting 2 gr. Bullseye behind .356 (9mm) RN 125gr. Lead bullet. Surprisingly accurate at 25 feet once you master the trigger pull up to the hesitation then squeeze. I would think this is a black pwdr. gun, is the above load safe?

No way to be sure with an individual gun. Yours sounds to be a BP era gun, so see post #3 in this thread.

38 S&W cartridges from 357 cases?

If it worked before it might in the future, or ?

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

You'll see lots of controversial opinions about the use of ANY smokeless loads in a BP-era revolver. Fact is, there is no supportable reason I have seen to not shoot light smokeless loads in the older S&W .38s (factory loads are purposely lightly loaded just because there so many of these old guys still around). 2 grains of Bullseye behind a 125 grain bullet is even lighter than a factory load, and there should be no concern in using it in your revolver if it is in the condition you describe.

I'd just caution that you take extra care that your loading procedures ensure you are really throwing accurate 2 grain loads and you can't get double or triple charges - which could be disastrous. Visually inspect all charged cases to be sure all powder charge levels look correct before bullets are seated. Your main concern should be that the bullets emerge from the muzzle every time, as this is a very light load. If you get a misfire and think you have a dud when the hammer falls, STOP and don't pull the trigger again without checking to see if the barrel has a bullet stuck in it.

If you want to shoot indoors, use parrafin bullets and primers only - but drill your flash holes out to a larger diameter first. Don't shoot at the dog or cat.

Good advise from DeWalt . . . plus some good loading comments as well. Shoot light smokeless loads and you will thank us when it comes to cleaning up of your 38.

The 38 S&W bullet diameter is actually .360", so 38 Special bullets will be a little small. My Lee 125 grain 38 Special bullet mould throws .360" bullets, so I use them without resizing.

I never rely on random comments and old wives tales, so decided to find out for myself with several loads and the results are below.

Attached Images

38 S&W Chronograph Results.jpg (49.8 KB, 28 views)