Smith & Wesson Heavy Duty
I just bought what I presume is a 38/44 Heavy Duty - 5" barrel with "half moon" front sight, 5 screws and the grips are numbered to the frame. Single line "Made in USA" and the serial number is S65952. Can anyone help with a DOM?
I plan on reloading and not pushing it, but I'd like to approximate something of a stout 38 Special with a 158 or even 200 grain RN or SWC. Any suggestions?
I plan on reloading and not pushing it, but I'd like to approximate something of a stout 38 Special with a 158 or even 200 grain RN or SWC. Any suggestions?
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My favorite load in 38 Special is a 158 gr cast with 3 grains of Bullseye - not hot, but enough. W231 is what I use now because I have lots of it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith_&_Wesson_.38/440 -
According to SCSW, it was made 1946-1947.
Charlie's load sounds good to me: accurate with moderate recoil, assuming you checked it over & consider it safe.
Neal0 -
What pistol powder do you have on hand?
What is the maximum load for that powder in your book?
Go.0 -
The original load was advertised at 1125 fps with a 158 grain lead bullet, per article in 2007 Gun Digest. There are many loads in the reloading manuals for .38 Special +P at 900+ fps. 0 -
Hello I have on like yours serial # S70505 mine has a one line marking "
MADE IN USA ADDRESS ON The left side of the frame in front & above the trigger
THE Barrel itself also has on the left side a one line role stamp starting about one inch in front of barrel forcing cone that reads " 38 s&w special ctg Mine has non factory grips is it possible you could post a picture here on this site of your grips Thanks Karl AKA PERRY SHOOTER0 -
quote:Originally posted by Hawk Carse
What pistol powder do you have on hand?
What is the maximum load for that powder in your book?
Go.
Makes sense - Handload Data on line lists a boatload, even some described as "Heavy Duty 38/44" - now there's a hint.
My Speer #3 book lists 12.0 of 2400 for 1,111 fps with a 146 LHP. In Speer #7 Dean Grennell lists a 160 JSP using 11.0 of 2400 for 1,110 fps. A little more modern book (Hornady #3) shows HS6 giving about 1,050 fps with a 158 LSW. Most of the new manuals are putting 158s around 900 fps.
The old Speers were tested out of a K38 - probably OK for me in the heavier N frame.0 -
quote:Originally posted by perry shooter
Hello I have on like yours serial # S70505 mine has a one line marking "
MADE IN USA ADDRESS ON The left side of the frame in front & above the trigger
THE Barrel itself also has on the left side a one line role stamp starting about one inch in front of barrel forcing cone that reads " 38 s&w special ctg Mine has non factory grips is it possible you could post a picture here on this site of your grips Thanks Karl AKA PERRY SHOOTER
Hi -
I can e-mail photos, don't know how to post pictures directly. FWIW, this HD is exactly the same as what I have and about 200 serial numbers later:
http://www.GunBroker.com/item/613104446
I can e-mail photos of mine if you'd like.0
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