Inland7-45
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Colt Police Positive .38 S&W
- Thread starter Inland7-45
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Here is your pic
right side up.........
Do you have 38 S&W ammo? Fun round to shoot.
If you use the "insert image" function at the top of the pre post window, you can link it directly.
right side up.........
Do you have 38 S&W ammo? Fun round to shoot.
If you use the "insert image" function at the top of the pre post window, you can link it directly.
OP
Inland7-45
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Yes, I do reload for this round as well .32 S&W Long. I have a total of about 1,200 pieces of brass. About 700 Starline, the rest PPU. All of it was loaded from new brass. I have not yet fired any factory rounds through the Colt or the pre Lendlease S&W BSR.
My reloading set up is an RCBS Junior press that I bought in 1978. The powder measure is an RCBS and so is the case trimmer. RCBS was out of dies at the time that I bought the Colt, but I was able to get a set of CH. They work great, no complaints.
For my first pass at reloading I used a 158 grain RN cast from a Magma mould. I purchased 1,000 unsized and ran them through a .359 die in my Lyman Sizer Lubricator. Powder was a full charge of AA#5 using Lyman’s data.
I have switched to the .361 RN from Missouri Bullet Co. I also switched over to W231.
Once you have the dies , brass and source of bullets the .38 S&W is as easy and economical to reload as .the 38 Special. Same goes for .32 S&W Long.
I have just started posting photos after being a member for a few years. I look forward to getting better at it and sharing more photos.
My reloading set up is an RCBS Junior press that I bought in 1978. The powder measure is an RCBS and so is the case trimmer. RCBS was out of dies at the time that I bought the Colt, but I was able to get a set of CH. They work great, no complaints.
For my first pass at reloading I used a 158 grain RN cast from a Magma mould. I purchased 1,000 unsized and ran them through a .359 die in my Lyman Sizer Lubricator. Powder was a full charge of AA#5 using Lyman’s data.
I have switched to the .361 RN from Missouri Bullet Co. I also switched over to W231.
Once you have the dies , brass and source of bullets the .38 S&W is as easy and economical to reload as .the 38 Special. Same goes for .32 S&W Long.
I have just started posting photos after being a member for a few years. I look forward to getting better at it and sharing more photos.
BLACKHAWKNJ
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An excellent find. When I reloaded for my Enfield No. 2 Mk1 I found a HBWC gave excellent accuracy.
OP
Inland7-45
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I found this on consignment at a local gun store. The owner brought in a handful of loose rounds. Real ancient stuff. Some of it was stamped .38 NP and had the flat pointed bullets.
I kept these for display and reference.
I won’t be able to get back to the range again until next month. I have a lot of 158 gr round nose loaded up as well as some .32 S&W Long for my I frame guns.
I have not done any bullet casting for awhile but with some of the new additions like the .38 S&W and .32s I will be starting again soon.
After finishing with loading the 146 gr .361 dia from Missouri Bullet I will start looking outside the box. I am looking at the 148 gr full WC option. I do have a Lyman 4 cavity mold for the 170 gr SWC. My first choice for this bullet is for heavy .38 Specials for my 38/44 HD Military.
This may also be an option for the .38 S&W.
Are the Wadcutters that you are using .358 dia? I sized the 158 RNs to .359 per the Lyman data. I have heard that accuracy is’nt bad in some guns when using .38 Special diameter bullets.
After I get the mold warmed and start casting good bullets I will measure some samples to see what the diameter is and if there is enough to size to .360 or .361 and maintain roundness. I also have a pre Lendlease 5” M&P in .38 S&W. This was shipped to Canada.
I kept these for display and reference.
I won’t be able to get back to the range again until next month. I have a lot of 158 gr round nose loaded up as well as some .32 S&W Long for my I frame guns.
I have not done any bullet casting for awhile but with some of the new additions like the .38 S&W and .32s I will be starting again soon.
After finishing with loading the 146 gr .361 dia from Missouri Bullet I will start looking outside the box. I am looking at the 148 gr full WC option. I do have a Lyman 4 cavity mold for the 170 gr SWC. My first choice for this bullet is for heavy .38 Specials for my 38/44 HD Military.
This may also be an option for the .38 S&W.
Are the Wadcutters that you are using .358 dia? I sized the 158 RNs to .359 per the Lyman data. I have heard that accuracy is’nt bad in some guns when using .38 Special diameter bullets.
After I get the mold warmed and start casting good bullets I will measure some samples to see what the diameter is and if there is enough to size to .360 or .361 and maintain roundness. I also have a pre Lendlease 5” M&P in .38 S&W. This was shipped to Canada.
Last edited:
Ivan the Butcher
Member
"Out of the Box", I still have half a box of the original "Hydra-shok" full wadcutters with the huge hollow point with the big ugly post in the center. I loaded up 25 a long time ago at "Top Break Velocities", the .357 soft lead bullets obturate to take the bore just fine! The stack of firewood that wad my target stand and backstop showed how massive the expansion can be! (about 3/4")
Even though it is a 146 grain full wadcutter, load with a regular LRN powder charge and use the same COAL as the LRN load.
When I carry the Lemon Squeezer for SD, this is the ammo it carries! I have a like new 1922 38 Regulation Police I still haven't shot, but these would be great for them and a Colt New Police.
I once bought a box of 500 200 grain LRN size .358 (for 35 Remington) and loaded up a 100 or so 38 New Police loads. They are slow and low recoil but they do hit like a hammer too!
Ivan
Even though it is a 146 grain full wadcutter, load with a regular LRN powder charge and use the same COAL as the LRN load.
When I carry the Lemon Squeezer for SD, this is the ammo it carries! I have a like new 1922 38 Regulation Police I still haven't shot, but these would be great for them and a Colt New Police.
I once bought a box of 500 200 grain LRN size .358 (for 35 Remington) and loaded up a 100 or so 38 New Police loads. They are slow and low recoil but they do hit like a hammer too!
Ivan
borderbud
Member
Wyatt Burp
Member
That is a pristine PP. My friend and I recently shot mine. He found a box of newer factory ammo at the gun show we were at and I brought along a box of factory .38 Colt New Police flat nose ammo. The cut down police dept. marked gun wasn't that great but the 4" gun shot great with both cartridges. Thin grip snbnose from 1917, and I forgot when the newer 4" thicker butt gun was made.
OP
Inland7-45
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Colt PP .38 S&W
I will be getting to the range after Labor Day. I have 2 different bullet weights to compare on paper, 146 gr rn .361 dia and 158 gr
.rn .359 dia.
Nice looking guns. Maybe a replacement barrel would help the altered gun accuracy wise.
That is a pristine PP. My friend and I recently shot mine. He found a box of newer factory ammo at the gun show we were at and I brought along a box of factory .38 Colt New Police flat nose ammo. The cut down police dept. marked gun wasn't that great but the 4" gun shot great with both cartridges. Thin grip snbnose from 1917, and I forgot when the newer 4" thicker butt gun was made.
I will be getting to the range after Labor Day. I have 2 different bullet weights to compare on paper, 146 gr rn .361 dia and 158 gr
.rn .359 dia.
Nice looking guns. Maybe a replacement barrel would help the altered gun accuracy wise.
Last edited:
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