38 S&W Brass

[BB57]

One of my cartridge inventories is what I call "Victory Brass". I take once fired .38 Spl, and lightly neck size, and then fire form in my converted Victory Chamber. When reloading, I turn the resizing die out 2 turns.

My Victory Specials all chamber fine and I haven't had a split case yet.

Backing off the sizing die slightly helps get decent case life with the .45 Colt as well. I size just enough to get the, to easily chamber.

The .45 Colt was designed in the black powder era where most pistol class cases had a tapered body and mild bottle neck.

The mild bottle neck on cartridges like the .38-40 and .44-40 helped seal the chamber fairly early in the ignition process to minimize gas coming back into the action on lever action rifles.

The tapered body helped rim ejector cartridges like the .38-40 and .44-40 eject more reliably as the entire surface of the case came out of contact very early in the ejection process.

The .45 Colt was intended for the rod ejector Colt SAA and as such they were not worried much about ejection. They did want maximum powder capacity however so they adopted a parallel wall case and no bottle neck, in order to get maximum capacity with as small a cylinder as possible for .45 caliber.

However, they covered their bets slightly by tapering the chamber .007" from mouth to base.

 

[Eddie Southgate]

We are accepting back orders on our website for 38 S&W. That is the best way to get your name on the list for the next run. You aren't charged until the order ships out to you. - Starline Brass

If you have any questions please email us at web(at) starlinebrass.com

What we really need is 25-20 and .218 Bee brass .

 

[GBertolet]

BB57, I experienced the split cases in my Marlin 45 Colt. My solution, was to size about 3/8" of the case, with my carbide sizer. Just enough to grip the bullet. With sane loads, I can fire many times, before FL sizing is needed. I use a steel sizer for this, because it has a taper on it, for the reasons you suggested.

 

[tom2]

I bought maybe 100 S&W cases on Gunbroker a year or two ago. They were apparently used but showed little wear. Nickel plated, WW or Western mixed. I did not pay a huge price or otherwise would have passed. Used them in a Brit Victory with 200 LRN bullets OK. Also bought a box of factory 150 gr. a couple years ago at a shop and they were not cheap, probably the only box of it they had. And I had to explain to the store eggspurt the difference between it and special to get it.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

About 25 years ago South Africa surplused out a million or two 38 S&W unprimed cases that had no headstamp. These were intended for a light mortar's fire round. My BFF and I split a 1000 and they are great. I still see some floating around at gun shows. If you see them, they work great for revolver rounds.

Ivan

 

[ArchAngelCD]

remington does make 38 smith and wesson cartridges that will properly chamber and interact with the ejector in a 357 magnum.

I don't think so. While the rim diameter is the same .440" on both the neck and bullet diameter on the 38 S&W is slightly wider and may not chamber correctly in the .357 Mag barrel. (or at least be very tight and not plunk) I know it's not a massive difference that the neck diameter on the 38 S&W is .387" and the .357 Mag neck diameter is .379" but possible that's where you might run into a problem.

Just a note: Starline has 38 S&W brass IN STOCK right now on their site. Grab some if you need it.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I know it's not a massive difference that the neck diameter on the 38 S&W is .387" and the .357 Mag neck diameter is .379" but possible that's where you might run into a problem.

In 1958 my F-I-L started at the Columbus, Ohio PD Acadamy. Evry one of the 35 cadets was issued a brand-new S&W Model 10. One cadet and my F-I-L had consecutive serial numbered guns. My F-I-L's chambered 38 S&W and the classmate's did not. It depends on how worn the finish chamber reamer is.

Ivan

 

[smithra_66]

I tried Starline Brass and Midway and both list the 38 S&W brass out of stock and no back order. Who else sells brass?

I just bought 200 brand new starline cases on Gunbroker (surprisingly cheap, too!). Set yourself up a saved search and you'll get notified when something new comes up.

 

[DWalt]

Some .38 S&W cartridges can be chambered and fired in some .38 S&W Special/.357 revolvers. Same is true for .38 Super cartridges. It's a matter of manufacturing dimensional tolerances. I have several hundred .38 S&W cases, and that's been adequate for me. Most have been reloaded many times and are still good. I did have some ancient .38 S&W cases probably from the BP era that could not be reloaded. The primer pocket diameter was a little too small to accept new SP primers.

If someone really needed .38 S&W cases, .38 Super brass probably could be shortened to chamber OK. But that involves a lot of work unless you have one of those mini-chop saws.

 

[Inland7-45]

I started reloading.38 S&W in early 2021. I lucked out on Starline brass as I was able to find a lot of it at pre pandemic price. By the time I was able to afford more it was sold out.

I have very high opinion of Starline. The .38 S&W that the make is perfect.
I have also had great luck with PPU components and made the switch when Starline ran out of .32 S&W Long.

PPU still makes .38 S&W ammunition. This is a good alternative if available. I believe that Graf is there US distributor.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

When I started to reload the .38 S&W I got my initial brass from shooting factory ammo. I had enough brass to develop loads and fine tune them. Of course I eventually had to buy fresh brass but it was a good way to get started. (I don't remember what brand ammo it was, sorry)