Using .357/.358 diameter Bullets for 38 ACP

[Oyeboten]

Years ago, young and naive, I was reloading for .38 ACP, using Lead, .357, or .358 diameter 148 Grn semi-wadcutters.

'Unique', I believe...Powder wise.


Never had a problem, and, generally, drove these at fairly easy veloities for a slight drop at 50 yard Target Shooting.

I had no Manuals, and, my Powder Charge was less than for standard .38 Special would have been, and, these reloads were consistant, very accurate, and did not seem to stress the Pistol...recoil was well below Factory 'Patched' 130 grn .38 ACP Ammunition.


Figuring to get back into reloading again soon, I've been wondering about using 148 Grn, Lead, semi-wadcutter .358 Bullets for the .38 ACP, and, would like to know if anyone feels there would be any problems, using these Bullets (with my soon to be referring to proper re-loading Manuals this time, and, making adjustments to whatever Powder) for a full power 38 ACP Loading.


Of course, the usual reourse, for .38 ACP, is a Bullet of .356 diameter, and, not .357, or.358.



Note, this is ".38 Autocolt /.38 ACP" proper, and not 38 Super.

Though probably the same question would apply to .38 Super or 9mm Cartridges as well...anyway.


Thanks!

 

[Walkalong]

The hollow based wadcutters would swage down and fit the case no problems, and then expand under pressure to fill the bore. The solid (DEWC) ones or SWC's should work as long as the chamber will take them, & there is enough pressure to bump them up and seal the bore. That should not be a problem if the bullets are soft enough. .358 lead in .38 ACP should not be a problem. Only one way to really know, and that is to go ahead and load a few test rounds.

I haven't tried it, but don't see why not to.

 

[loadedround]

Do not ever use Hollow Base Wadcutters for anything except what they were designed for. These bullets are for very light target loads in 38 special revolvers and the S&W Model 52 Masterpiece semiauto pistol. The standard load for this bullet was 2.7 gr of Bullseye with the bullet seated even with the case mouth. If you push this hollow based bullet much faster and you will blow off the rear skirt of the bullet and cause all kinds of interesting malfunctions in your barrel. Read the precautions on this bullet in the various loading manuals. Please be careful.

 

[Walkalong]

Your right. While it could be used, it would be at levels that would turn it into a single shot. Wasn't thinking there. Thanks for pointing that out loaded round. Must have been too early in the AM.