Differences in big 3 makers of .38 158gr.+P LHP

Sonny Crocket

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I picked up some Remington 158gr.+P LHP in .38 for a steal yesterday, only $22/box. Its new production, product code R38S12. I noticed the bullet sets alot higher in the casing than the Federal (38G) and Winchester (X38SPD) versions. I took a photo, from left to right Winchester, Federal, Remington.

053-1.jpg


Its also easy to see the Federal does not have a crimp compared to the other two. This is the current production in the plain white box with black lettering.
 
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Does the Remington round extend beyond the mouth of the individual chamber, interfering with rotation of the cylinder? It's so much longer than the other two.
 
Its also easy to see the Federal does not have a crimp compared to the other two. This is the current production in the plain white box with black lettering.
Take out your calipers, they use a taper crimp.
 
I would be concerned about that federal load in a Centennial Airweight or Scandium revolver. That non crimped bullet may walk out of an unfired case due to recoil, and render the weapon inoperable......
 
$22 a box is a damned good price these days... last retail I saw was over $38 a box.

I still have half a case of Winchester left around here and don't shoot it as much as I once did. Last time I bought it I paid $101 a case for 10 boxes...
 
I would be concerned about that federal load in a Centennial Airweight or Scandium revolver. That non crimped bullet may walk out of an unfired case due to recoil, and render the weapon inoperable......

Thats why I haven't bought any more of it. The last time I shot it I noticed the rounds walking out from recoil, but not enough to lock up the gun. This happened with steel frame revolvers too.
 
Thats why I haven't bought any more of it. The last time I shot it I noticed the rounds walking out from recoil, but not enough to lock up the gun. This happened with steel frame revolvers too.

That's why revolver rounds need a good, firm, roll crimp.
 
I picked up some Remington 158gr.+P LHP in .38 for a steal yesterday, only $22/box. Its new production, product code R38S12. I noticed the bullet sets alot higher in the casing than the Federal (38G) and Winchester (X38SPD) versions. I took a photo, from left to right Winchester, Federal, Remington.

053-1.jpg
Remington 125 gr Golden Saber .38 Special is seated the same way- to the maximum OAL allowed by spec. Not sure why they do it.
 
I recently tested some of the Remington ammo, and got good performance in wetpack and water jugs, but I didn't notice the bullets being seated out nearly that far. I'm wondering if maybe you got an out-of-spec batch.

IMG_6972.jpg
 
Remington 125 gr Golden Saber .38 Special is seated the same way- to the maximum OAL allowed by spec. Not sure why they do it.

Check and see really how old those Rem's are, I bought 10 boxes on sale for if my memory serves me right around $10 per box 5 years ago, and the bullets were set out like the ones you have pictured.

Pete
 
I shot some of my 38G this afternoon in my 642-1. I shot four then opened the cylinder to check the fifth round. Uh yeah, it needs a crimp. Tell me what you think? :)

045.jpg


Also shot the new Remington I bought. Not near as bad as the Federal but you can see some pull.

046.jpg
 
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Good gosh! I'm not buying any of that uncrimped stuff!

Thanks for the pics! Worth many words!
 
NOT to hi-jack the thread BUT just outta curiosity---does 10mm walk due to recoil in a revolver ? ?
 
NOT to hi-jack the thread BUT just outta curiosity---does 10mm walk due to recoil in a revolver ? ?

I'm not a reloader, but believe this is only a problem with lead rounds, not jacketed. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
 
Also should mention, I have some of the Federal 158gr.SWC and it does have a crimp. Don't know why the LHP doesn't.
 

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