38 S&W question

[32winspl]

Could someone direct me to information regarding the .38S&W cartridge for reloading? None of my manuals list it, and all the online references to it only seem to indicate that it is an old or obsolete round.
Thank you for any help.
Robb

 

[woad_yurt]

I had the same problem a while back. Check out what I found. Here ya go:

http://www.reloadammo.com/38sw.htm

 

[Virginian]

From Hercules Reloader's Guide, November, 1981
Bullet dia. .354"-.360", 145gr. lead, min OAL 1.160",
2.2gr. Bullseye, 630 fps
2.4 gr. Red Dot, 645 fps Had good success with this one
2.5 gr. Green Dot, 665 fps
3.1 gr. Unique, 650 fps
3.2 gr. Herco, 640 fps

From PacificRifle and Pistol Cartrige Reloading Manual, 5th Printing, 1971
Bullet dia. .354"-.360", 130gr. lead,
2.0gr. Bullseye, 650 fps recommended, 3.0 gr. Max.
2.2 gr. Red Dot, 660 fps recommended, 3.1 gr. Max
3.5 gr. Unique, 805 fps recommended, 4.8 gr. Max
I also have some DuPont data and an old Speer manual somewhere that had some loads.
Good luck. You will probably need dies because my 38 Special dies were too long to crimp. I never went above recommended loads. Didn't want to push my Grandaddy's old Colt. It's a very mild shooting round, pretty accurate.

 

[GP100man]

hodgdon . com

GP100man

 

[dagger dog]

Speer #13 example 38 S&W 158 gr L-swc L-hp L-rn .358 dia. COL 1.065"

Red Dot start 2.4 grs MAX 2.7 667 fps 765 fps

SR 7625 start 2.6 grs MAX 2.9 683 fps 752 fps

Herco start 2.9 grs MAX 3.2 630 fps 702 fps

Unique start 2.8 grs MAX 3.1 619 fps 594 fps

Bullseye start 2.2 grs MAX 2.4 629 fps 693 fps

231 start 2.3 grs MAX 2.6 593 fps 671 fps

Max Case Trim Length 0.775" Trim to Length 0.765" Max Cartridge Length 1.240" W-W Brass Primers CCI 500
Test Firearm Smith & Wesson Model 33 4" bbl. 1-18.75" twist
Standard pressure limit 13,000 CUP

I chose the "more likley factory load" in the 158gr range. the nominal bullet diameter for the S&W Factory Cartridge is 0.360" statement" However, in revolvers with deep rifiling,accuracy is usually very good"

38 special cartridges cut to size will split on firing as the overall diameter of the S&W 38 is larger than the .38 Special. Max Overall for the S&W 38 being
0.3855"

Should be a fun round to shoot. But please double check every thing !

have fun always

 

[32winspl]

Thanks guys. Very helpful. And yes, .38 S&W is larger diameter than .38 Spl., I found that out quite by accident. I was a lucky lad.
Thanks again.