Powder charge for .38 vs 9mm

[nbedford]

The .38 S&W Special cartridge was a lengthened version of the .38 Government cartridge then in use. Developed for Smith's new Military & Police revolver early versions of the revolver included the ".38 US Service Cartridge" designation as S&W was disinclined to stamp .38 Long Colt on their product.

The .38 Long Colt, like other cartridges whose roots go back to percussion conversions, initially used heel based bullets. Most of those old Colts had cylinders that were bored straight through. Lacking the "step" in the chamber those Spanish American war era Army issue revolvers will chamber a .357 magnum.

Lord a'mercy; I never thought about that. And I can see some peckerwood saying "Hey this un'll fit!" Obviously a grand thing the 357 was not named the 38 Magnum, ain't it?

 

[Nevada Ed]

A note on powders;

You have in front of you two powders that are the same color, the same thickness,the same diameter but they have a different burn rate.

Why is this possible?

They are coated with chemicals that slow or increase the burn rate
and that also add energy to the flakes for different FPS, in a load.

The size bullet along with the case volume, not filled with powder, also plays a large part in the loads pressure.

One reason you NEED manuals to stay safe when using gun powders..........
that have been tested and approved by the powder companies.

Stay safe.