Had a friend ask about 38 S&W.We both know a fellow that bought an older Smith in what he thought was 38 Special. They even sold him a box of 38 Sp ammo. Underhanded but they won' take itback. I have a little 38 S&W cases he'll be getting...BUT my question is...I have10 boxes of 38 Short Colt. I'll let him have some for my friend to reload for him. Is Short Colt useable in 38S&W?? I have a set of Lee dies he can have,too.
Need a little help.
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Hair Trigger
US Veteran
.38 S&W is the same case as the .38 Colt New Police, but I believe the .38 Short Colt is dimensionally different, enough that the dies for .38S&W won't work, nor will the cartridge properly chamber.
cgt4570
Member
.38 Short, Long, Special and .357 Mag are all the same diameter case and bullet and are forward-interchangeable, just different case lengths. i.e. you can shoot all 4 in a .357 Mag safely. They use a .357-358 dia bullet.
The .38 S&W aka .38 Colt New Police, .38-100 (old black powder load) and, .38-200 (British WW2 load) use a shorter, fatter case and a .360 dia bullet.
A lot of British WW2 S&W Victory and UK produced top breaks were reamed to accept a .38 Special for the US surplus market. This works, but will result in bulged cases and poor accuracy.
.38 S&W was available before the current ammo drought. Lee and others make reloading dies.
Lee Carbide 3-Die Set 38 S&W
Good luck!
The .38 S&W aka .38 Colt New Police, .38-100 (old black powder load) and, .38-200 (British WW2 load) use a shorter, fatter case and a .360 dia bullet.
A lot of British WW2 S&W Victory and UK produced top breaks were reamed to accept a .38 Special for the US surplus market. This works, but will result in bulged cases and poor accuracy.
.38 S&W was available before the current ammo drought. Lee and others make reloading dies.
Lee Carbide 3-Die Set 38 S&W
Good luck!
I was wondering about the 38 short...Have some 38 Long Colt somewhere...brass and loads. I know the 38 S&W is larger bullet and case but didn't know about 38 Short Colt. Thanks for getting it put 'tween my ears. Just going to sell the short Colt cases on ...oh not ebay. Maybe CB...I'll never load 'em. I had someone give me 38 Sp seater cut down to use on 38 Long Colt. I've never used it either
Hope this helps out a little.
38 short: Rim .445... length .765..... base/neck .379"
38 S&W ........................... .773
38 Colt police..................... .775
Here is a picture, of them.
38 short: Rim .445... length .765..... base/neck .379"
38 S&W ........................... .773
38 Colt police..................... .775
Here is a picture, of them.
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DWalt
Member
.38 SC is a bit undersized for a .38 S&W chamber and bore but it will work OK. And it is even better in any .38 Special or .357 revolver as it has the same case and bullet diameter. It is what I use in my .38 Special snubbies. I think the .38 SC deserves more respect than it gets, and it should be more popular.
I reload .38 SC cases using a .38 Special sizing die and 9mm neck expanding and seating dies.
I reload .38 SC cases using a .38 Special sizing die and 9mm neck expanding and seating dies.
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I guess I really didn't think it through...38 Long...38 Short? Duh. I had an old Colt 1899 Army that was given to me by a girls grandfather when I dated her. It had been issued to him in the early 1900s.The girl was even too wild for me.He even gave me some old issue ammo. Still have some of it. It cracked cases when fired...Newer ammo was fine but hard to find in the 1970 timeframe
