I’m going to describe the load development project I’m currently working on the 38 S&W ctg. Some of you might find the process interesting; others will learn to skip right over future installments. However I think my methods are fairly solid and the procedures I use here would work for load development of other ctgs. First off, I like the older cartridges. Many years ago I outgrew the need to shoot the most powerful of anything. Now I enjoy shooting a wide variety of firearms just for the joy of the experience of firing that type of firearm and seeing what kind of performance it’s capable of. There have been a lot of firearms made in ctgs like 38 S&W, 32 S&W, 32 Long etc.
At this point I’m only testing a 124gn SCW bullet that I use for a lot of things. The nominal as cast diameter is .360 and I’m using them as cast lubed with Lee liquid alox. The loaded OAL for all of these ctgs will be 1.12” even though OAL for this ctg is typically listed at 1.24”. An OAL of 1.24” would have left the upper grease groove exposed on the bullet, which is not aesthetically pleasing. Pulling the 146gn bullet from an old Peters round that had misfired was useful. First, the powder looked like Bulleseye that been contaminated with oil. Second, comparing the two bullets showed that seating the SWC to the OAL I had selected would result in the same amount of bullet INSIDE the case as the heavier factory round. Personally I consider this headspace above the powder to be more critical than OAL when it comes to pressure. In addition, a factory 38 S&W lead bullet has a slight band that is outside the case, but steps down and tapers quickly to the bullet nose. With the 1.24” OAL and the lighter bullet, the driving band is the same distance past the case mouth as with the heavier bullet.
For some reason I do not have a set of 38 S&W dies in my accumulation but to someone who grew up reading George Nonte’s Home Guide to Cartridge Conversions this presented only a slight inconvenience. After trying a couple combinations this is one that worked for me: Sizing die and expansion die from a 9mm Makarov die set, seating and taper crimp die from a 38 Super dies set. Yes, I tried using just the 38 Super set, but the Mak set worked better for me.
The crimp die was adjusted using the time honored method on placing a factory caartridge in the shell holder and running the ram to the top of its stroke. Then slowly tightening the taper crimp die down until you have good contact, lower the ram, tighten the die another 1/8th of a turn and set the lock nut.
Oh yes, reloading equipment. Normally I reload on an old Dillon 450 with upgraded powder drop and priming. However I still like to do my load development using my Lyman turret and 55 powder drop. Primers are Wolf Small Pistol, Bullseye powder and mixed cases. I did check the cases and culled a couple balloon head cases, they were that mixed.
Loads for testing are Bullseye 2.0, 2.2, 2.4, 2.6, 2.8 and 3.0 grains. In addition I’ll try and test some modern factory ammo IF I can locate enough quantity. I do have some of the old military 380 2Z ammo I plan to test out of curiosity. Revolvers lined up for the velocity tests include barrel lengths of 2”, 3.5” and 5”. My best friends family and my family are going camping at a state park this weekend which has a pistol range. He is providing the Chrony and one of the pistols and we plan to do the velocity testing there. In a couple weeks we will go to a local range and test the point of impact shifts with the same pistols and loads.
Given the limited amount of pooled resources available to us, unlike some professional writers who I will not mention, we feel this will give a good overview of 38 S&W performance using one powder and bullet. Part of the purpose of this posting is that I know from reading posts on various boards there are many new reloaders on the shooting boards. What I’ve outlined is the thought process I use when developing loads and while I’m no expert I do still have all my fingers and both eyeballs.
One thing I forgot to mention is the powder charges I’ve mentioned are within the ranges of published data, though some of that data was published almost 70 years ago. Use your own best judgment and what works for me may not work for you. The two heavier loads listed may NOT be fired in top break revolvers during the testing. Depends on how it goes. Next week I should be able to list a table with the results of the 6 powder charges, one bullet and at least the military ball ammo, in three different barrel lengths.
I know some of you have more experience than me so I will not be offended if you poke holes in my thought processes.
At this point I’m only testing a 124gn SCW bullet that I use for a lot of things. The nominal as cast diameter is .360 and I’m using them as cast lubed with Lee liquid alox. The loaded OAL for all of these ctgs will be 1.12” even though OAL for this ctg is typically listed at 1.24”. An OAL of 1.24” would have left the upper grease groove exposed on the bullet, which is not aesthetically pleasing. Pulling the 146gn bullet from an old Peters round that had misfired was useful. First, the powder looked like Bulleseye that been contaminated with oil. Second, comparing the two bullets showed that seating the SWC to the OAL I had selected would result in the same amount of bullet INSIDE the case as the heavier factory round. Personally I consider this headspace above the powder to be more critical than OAL when it comes to pressure. In addition, a factory 38 S&W lead bullet has a slight band that is outside the case, but steps down and tapers quickly to the bullet nose. With the 1.24” OAL and the lighter bullet, the driving band is the same distance past the case mouth as with the heavier bullet.
For some reason I do not have a set of 38 S&W dies in my accumulation but to someone who grew up reading George Nonte’s Home Guide to Cartridge Conversions this presented only a slight inconvenience. After trying a couple combinations this is one that worked for me: Sizing die and expansion die from a 9mm Makarov die set, seating and taper crimp die from a 38 Super dies set. Yes, I tried using just the 38 Super set, but the Mak set worked better for me.
The crimp die was adjusted using the time honored method on placing a factory caartridge in the shell holder and running the ram to the top of its stroke. Then slowly tightening the taper crimp die down until you have good contact, lower the ram, tighten the die another 1/8th of a turn and set the lock nut.
Oh yes, reloading equipment. Normally I reload on an old Dillon 450 with upgraded powder drop and priming. However I still like to do my load development using my Lyman turret and 55 powder drop. Primers are Wolf Small Pistol, Bullseye powder and mixed cases. I did check the cases and culled a couple balloon head cases, they were that mixed.
Loads for testing are Bullseye 2.0, 2.2, 2.4, 2.6, 2.8 and 3.0 grains. In addition I’ll try and test some modern factory ammo IF I can locate enough quantity. I do have some of the old military 380 2Z ammo I plan to test out of curiosity. Revolvers lined up for the velocity tests include barrel lengths of 2”, 3.5” and 5”. My best friends family and my family are going camping at a state park this weekend which has a pistol range. He is providing the Chrony and one of the pistols and we plan to do the velocity testing there. In a couple weeks we will go to a local range and test the point of impact shifts with the same pistols and loads.
Given the limited amount of pooled resources available to us, unlike some professional writers who I will not mention, we feel this will give a good overview of 38 S&W performance using one powder and bullet. Part of the purpose of this posting is that I know from reading posts on various boards there are many new reloaders on the shooting boards. What I’ve outlined is the thought process I use when developing loads and while I’m no expert I do still have all my fingers and both eyeballs.
One thing I forgot to mention is the powder charges I’ve mentioned are within the ranges of published data, though some of that data was published almost 70 years ago. Use your own best judgment and what works for me may not work for you. The two heavier loads listed may NOT be fired in top break revolvers during the testing. Depends on how it goes. Next week I should be able to list a table with the results of the 6 powder charges, one bullet and at least the military ball ammo, in three different barrel lengths.
I know some of you have more experience than me so I will not be offended if you poke holes in my thought processes.
