I just got a Mod 33-1 and hadn't thought of reloading for it, but I had some response on the 1961-1980 forum to my find listing. Figured I had best go here to discuss my thoughts. Some people get sort of irate if you don't post under the right heading. I found that the ammo is available at a fair price if you shop, but I got to thinking. I put a 38 spl round into the cylinder and it fit good except for length. I looked up the cartridge specs for the 38 spl and then the 38 S&W data. Couldn't find the 38 S&W data till I looked in a SPEER #9, 1967 manual. The 38spl case length is1.155" and the 38 S&W is .775". Since I have been wildcatting brass for years, I thought that my bin of 38 spl brass might be usable. I have all the other components and 38 S&W brass is not cheap. I still have my rig for converting .223 to 300 whisper. Seems like it should be just a chop and length size and use my 38 spl dies to load, Any comments out there. Might be a money saver for limited supply brass.
38 S&W loads and cases
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Outpost75
Member
Starline has .38 S&W brass. PPU, Magtech and Fiocchi factory ammo is common, affordable and the brass reloads well.
A set of Lee dies is affordable.
It is not worth the effort to cut down free range pickup .38 Special brass to make .38 S&W. Get the correct brass and dies and you will be happier. Buy the wadcutter bullets to load.
A set of Lee dies is affordable.
It is not worth the effort to cut down free range pickup .38 Special brass to make .38 S&W. Get the correct brass and dies and you will be happier. Buy the wadcutter bullets to load.
I like shooting and reloading what are somewhat oddball cartridges.
I've experimented with .38 S&W using mostly ordinary 158g LSWC bullets and either Bullseye or Unique.
Notes indicate that my best results accuracy wise was with Unique at around 3.0g.
Some of the worst accuracy results oddly enough were with some 200 grain .360 diameter bullets.
In one test I found that my Colt PP really liked 147g lead flat point 9mm bullets over 2.7 Bullseye.
I've experimented with .38 S&W using mostly ordinary 158g LSWC bullets and either Bullseye or Unique.
Notes indicate that my best results accuracy wise was with Unique at around 3.0g.
Some of the worst accuracy results oddly enough were with some 200 grain .360 diameter bullets.
In one test I found that my Colt PP really liked 147g lead flat point 9mm bullets over 2.7 Bullseye.
gwpercle
Member
Many 38 S&W revolvers were reamed longer to accept 38 special cases / ammo ... the only fly in the ointment is the dia. of the 38 S&W case is larger than the dia. of the 38 special ... and the 38 special will bulge and sometimes split the case open on firing .
My advice is to reload 38 S&W cases with 38 S&W load data and try to ignore the 38 Special ream job ..
38 S&W cases from Starline , Speer Loading data and stay away from 38 Spcl +P loads and ammo .
A proper set of 38 S&W reloading dies will make life easier ... but you can try the cheap way ... I never had much lucl loading 38 S&W with 38 special reloading dies !
Gary
My advice is to reload 38 S&W cases with 38 S&W load data and try to ignore the 38 Special ream job ..
38 S&W cases from Starline , Speer Loading data and stay away from 38 Spcl +P loads and ammo .
A proper set of 38 S&W reloading dies will make life easier ... but you can try the cheap way ... I never had much lucl loading 38 S&W with 38 special reloading dies !
Gary
