38 S&W to 38 spl

[4barrel]

mine is reamed only + will except .38S&W + .38 special cartridges -

I have an oversize Lyman mold that kicks out a .360 and with out resizing it works without leading in 38-357. Are you using a .360 bullet? Are you using 38 S@W brass?

 

[Buick]

Try loading some heavy .38 S&W rounds. They are nothing to sneeze at. I have about 70 rounds of original British military and they hit hard.

Edit: They are actually Canadian military rounds.

 

[schutzen-jager]

I have an oversize Lyman mold that kicks out a .360 and with out resizing it works without leading in 38-357. Are you using a .360 bullet? Are you using 38 S@W brass?

unsized 158gr. swc cast in Lee mold + tumble lube - like I stated in earlier post I have installed a .38 special barrel - I use the same bullets in .38S&W cases - never had a sign of any leading with either -

 

[WR Moore]

my Cogswell + Harrison cylinder conversion works perfectly with .38 special - never in decades of use have I had a split case or had any problem with case life or resizing them

Egad, I do believe they were the ones who did the conversion I saw.

 

[schutzen-jager]

I really think that all the problems with the conversions are due to sloppy workmanship by U.S. importers going for the fast dollar - all the English conversions had to be proof tested for .38 special before leaving the country - no one had any control over quality of the ones done here -

 

[Igiveup]

A lot of good information, thank you. My thoughts started with a Cogswell & Harrison conversion that splits around forty percent of the cases. I got it to have an example, not necessarily for shooting, but had to try. I have a fondness for the Victory revolvers, in both calibers. I'll stick with the ammo they were intended and think I might get dies for the 38 S&W, as ammo isn't very popular. I did get a box at the Reno, NV. gunshow a couple weeks ago. Again, thank you for all the input.

 

[walnutred]

When It comes to "manufacturing tolerances" you might be surprised how many times 38 S&W will chamber and fire in old 38 Special revolvers. I once owned a US purchase Victory still in 38 Special. Out of curiosity I checked and half of the chambers would accept 38 S&W and half would not. Pre war you will also often find as great a variation in bore diameter between Colt and S&W of the same caliber as you will on paper between 38 S&W and 38 Special.

 

[schutzen-jager]

When It comes to "manufacturing tolerances" you might be surprised how many times 38 S&W will chamber and fire in old 38 Special revolvers. I once owned a US purchase Victory still in 38 Special. Out of curiosity I checked and half of the chambers would accept 38 S&W and half would not. Pre war you will also often find as great a variation in bore diameter between Colt and S&W of the same caliber as you will on paper between 38 S&W and 38 Special.

back in the 70's one local PD issued model 19's in .357 mag. - many of them would chamber + fire the .38S&W with no problems -