.38-44 Ammunition Question

[1Aspenhill]

Remington ceased the 38-44 S&W SPL headstamp in the early to mid 30s, it was in the 1930 remington catalog.

 

[DWalt]

For early loadings (1931-38), Remington used the REM-UMC 38-44 SPL headstamp, then changed to REM-UMC 38 SPL HS (Hi-Speed). Winchester used W.R.A. SUPER 38 SPL and perhaps other variations. Western used SUPER-X 38 SPL, and again, may have used some slight variants. Peters used PETERS 38 SPL HV. Other than for earlier Remington boxes, the ".38-44" designation was not used on box labels, usually .38 S&W SPECIAL (Super-X, Super Speed, Hi-Speed, or High Velocity depending on manufacturer). At one time I put together a list of all the documented different .38-44 headstamps I could find (and there were quite a few of them), but I don't know where it is. Additionally, some early .38-44 cartridges used Large Pistol primers.

Regardless of the manufacturer, they always included something in the headstamp to distinguish the .38-44 loads from ordinary .38 Special loads.

 

[Art Doc]

I may have grabbed the wrong ad. But I have seen one for the Chiefs Special listing 38/44 ammo among the cartridges it could shoot.

 

[DWalt]

For the Chiefs Special, early ads said "Any .38 Special commercial cartridge, including high velocity loads."

 

[smith17]

If you can find it, I would appreciate seeing it again. Someone posted it more than 10 years ago with the J frame and I looked for it for hours a few years later, to no avail.

 

[DWalt]

Not a great image.

 

[Doug M.]

I see pressures all the time for the 38 Special, and for the +P, but nobody ever mentions the +P+, which I believe was a military round. Anyone have info on it?

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I was not aware of the AF load described, but would not have cared about a 130 grain ball load at any velocity anyway. Better than a nasty look and hope, but not near as good as a heavier SWC, even at standard velocity.
The only market of which I was aware for +P+ .38 was LE, at a time when the average command officer was afraid of allowing .357 Magnum, so they more or less got there with the +P+. Isn't it just wonderful that the mindless fabrications about LE are still out there, just different, and that command officers are still spineless?

 

[38SPL HV]

High velocity 38 Specials, aka 38-44, disappeared from ammo catalogs after 1973. Remington makes the last reference to its 38-44 "Hi-Speed" load #6538 in 1973 - here is link, please page to handgun ammo section.

https://cartridgecollectors.org/content/catalogs/REMINGTON/1973-Rem-DuPont-3 Jan-Dealers PL.pdf

These later 38-44 158 gr RNL loads, as Remington's #6538 38-44, would get approximately 1,075-1,100 FPS in actual 6 inch revolvers. Today's 38 Special +P 158 gr lead SWCHP would be at least 100 FPS slower, approx 970 FPS in 6 inch tubes. I duplicate Remington's #6538 38-44 with Lyman's 358311 using 11.0 grs of 2400...for use in 357 Magnum heavy frame revolvers.

 

[Terry C]

I use the Lyman 358311 in my "Factory Duplicate" standard pressure .38 special loads. For my hotter .38 Specials and.357 Magnum loads I use the 358156 SWC with a gas check.

Maybe I should push the LRNs a little just for fun?

 

[38SPL HV]

My 358311 has 11 BNH and I get no leading. My load (11 grs 2400/158 gr 358311) obtained an avg 1,053 FPS from my 4 5/8 inch Ruger Blackhawk. By the way, 6.0 grs Unique with same bullet avg 1,035 FPS...basically ballistic equivalent to the 11.0 grs 2400 albeit with more pressure...I'll stick with the 11.0 grs 2400