Loading data for 38 S&W?
Just bought a super clean S&W Model 33 in 38 S&W. Paid $150. The guy must have told me a dozen times is isn't a 38 Special. I found a box of ammo at the gun store but I like to reload...couldn't find it in my reloading manuals. Guy at the range said 3 gr of unique behind any 150 lead bullet...yap like thats how you should get your reloading data.
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A 38 S&W uses a .361" bullet. They are hard to find, so I have always used 148 gr .358" HBWC bullets and seat them 2/3s of the way into the case. I load mine with 1.7 gr of Trail Boss. The skirt on the hollow based wad cutter will expand and seal when fired. 0 -
The .38 S & W was originally a 19th Century low pressure Black Powder load, meant for cheap top-break Saturday Night Specials. Because of this, a lot of the loading data has been lawyer proofed for liability purposes.
The Model 33 is a modern made, very substantial, S & W revolver. Keep this in mind when working up loads for your new acquisition.0 -
Hard to believe there is a manual without a recipe for these. Here are several for you-
http://reloadammo.com/38sw.htm0 -
Thanks 11b6r 0 -
As stated, nominal bullet diameter for this cartridge is .361", not the more common .358" as used by a .38 special. That said, it's a mild round and often you can get by with the smaller bullets without leading.
Personally I 'beagle' a mold, to open the diameter up and size to .362." Plenty of info on the cast boolit forums about that.
In general I suggest sizing the bullet (this pertains to lead bullets only, not jacketed) to the largest diameter that chambers without resistance. If using jacketed, just go for any .357" in the 125 to 158 grain range.0 -
I bought a 38 S&W mold and an Ideal/Marlin combo mold and reloading tool. You can buy a set of dies too. Personally, I like the combo tool. Casts and sizes the bullets. Sizes and primes the cases. With a punch for the primers and a powder dipper, your set. 0
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