38 super question

[Scot Templar]

New to the 38 super and have obtained dies/shell holder and related components to load with. Question is will .355 head work in this rd for target loads or is .356 the only size that I should pursue. I know there is no dumb question, but this might border on one. Thanks for the response.
Wm. McSwack

 

[Cdog]

Many modern .38 Super's are fitted with .355 barrels now.

I shoot .355, .356, and .357 through my Taurus 1911.

I did have issues with the .355's being a bit loose in the brass, so I contacted Lee and ordered an undersized .38 sizing die so the brass would maintain a firm grip on the .355's. It was a small investment that made a huge difference.

I already had a pile of different .355's, so testing wasn't a problem. I'd recommend starting with a few 124 gr. .355's before getting too deep.

 

[125JHP]

.355 Jacketed should work fine unless it is an much older gun with a .357 bore.

 

[M29since14]

Not a dumb question at all. You will likely get along fine with 0.355" bullets but of course a lot depends on your barrel. I have had several Supers over the years and they all have shot 9mm bullets as well as anything. My re-barrelled Colt Commander has a Bar-sto barrel that shoots Hornady 147-gr HP-XTPs like a target pistol. I have always found my Super loads were much more sensitive to different powders than the difference between 0.355" and 0.356" bullets. I stopped buying the old 130-gr FMJ-RN 0.356" Super bullet many years ago. Winchester has a newer FMJ flat-nose design that I would like to try, but haven't done so yet.

 

[dickttx]

I bought one of the Talo LW Commander 38 Supers a few months ago. A Precision Delta .355 FMJ does NOT provide enough case tension to hold them in new Starline brass. These were some bullets that I had bought for 9mm, so no big deal. I have almost entirely shot the MBC IDP #6 lead bullets in it.

Cdog, I had thought about a smaller Lee sizing die. Is there a Lee part number for the one you bought, or was it a special made one? What did you ask for?

 

[Scot Templar]

38 super update

Thanks for all of the advise and for the record I have acquired a Colt Govt.Model in this caliber and as of yet have not fired same. Have some factory loads for bread in and wanted to reduce ammo cost for target use. I also would like to have the data on the lee dies (part #, ect) as this looks to be useful as we start on the reloading (got a ton of .355's). Thanks again for the up dates.

 

[Cdog]

I bought one of the Talo LW Commander 38 Supers a few months ago. A Precision Delta .355 FMJ does NOT provide enough case tension to hold them in new Starline brass. These were some bullets that I had bought for 9mm, so no big deal. I have almost entirely shot the MBC IDP #6 lead bullets in it.

Cdog, I had thought about a smaller Lee sizing die. Is there a Lee part number for the one you bought, or was it a special made one? What did you ask for?

As you're describing, the issue is "case sensitive". Sorry I couldn't resist? The problem is worse with some brands than others.

It was two years ago, I contacted Lee by phone. The young man was very knowledgeable and listened to my description of the loose fit.

He offered different options, undersizing by .001" increments, even sending them samples. No part number that I recall?

I'll have to check my die, but I believe I went with -.001". Update: It's ".003" Under" A small amount that makes a large difference.

I believe the cost was about $35.00 delivered.

I use for all my Super sizing. CD

 

[SMSgt]

You can also try putting the expander stem in a drill and polishing it down with fine grit sandpaper. This often will reduce the diameter enough to tighten up the "grip."

 

[M29since14]

I'll have to check my die, but I believe I went with -.0001". A small amount that makes a large difference...

This IS a small amount, but it will make NO difference. (He means 0.001", I'm sure.)

You should be able to use the expander that you may already have in any 9mm die set. Should work just fine - unless your size die is not sizing the brass small enough to start with. In that case, you will need a smaller size die.

 

[Cdog]

Yea, I meant .001". I'll check tonight. The tighter die body will do the trick.

The cases in question won't hold a .355 immediately after sizing.

The case mouth expander isn't the issue.

 

[Cdog]

I looked at my die, it has "U" stamped on a normally unmarked area. I assume it represents "undersized".

I found the data, it's .003" under.

Bottom line, it cured the loose fit. CD

 

[125JHP]

My RCBS dies size correctly right out of the box, no undersize special order needed.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Your 38 super is a Super Duper ......better than the 38 spl +P and the 9mm !!

Not to many know what this load is capable of with its higher velositys that make it a great load for the Auto pistol.

Let us know how it goes..............would like to see a picture of some groups if possible,later on.

Good loading.

 

[dickttx]

Thru kind of a fluke I have acquired two sets of Lee 38 Super dies and one set of RCBS. I have five different brands of brass. After muttering, cursing, etc. when using the expander, I finally tried one of the PD .355 bullets in each of the cases just as they came from the sizer.
Too loose then too--without ANY expanding. Thus, I will need the smaller die to use the .355 jacketed bullets.
Since I normally shoot lead anyway I have just been using the MBC IDP #6 lead bullets at .356. They do very well.
Appreciate the info Cdog.

 

[TSQUARED]

I shoot 38 Super in revolvers- S&W 686 and S&W627. I had used 0.356" bulets and recently tired the 0.355" Montana Gold JHP. It was more accurate than the 0.356" bullets I had been using.