Guest Possum Stu Posted April 24, 2011 Share Posted April 24, 2011 I picked up an H&R breaktop in 38 S&W this week and am looking to load for it. Picked up some brass a few days ago as well. Not asking for load data (I know the rules...) but does anyone know if they are built to handle smokeless, or do I need to go with black powder? The patent date on the barrel is 1896. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Joe West, SASS#1532 L Regulator Posted April 24, 2011 Share Posted April 24, 2011 Good news, Happy Easter! More good news, 38 S&W and 32 S&W[short] major factory offerings are made with the old guns in mind and you'll find the load is a very low pressure offering. Check your gun for proper lockup and operation of the moving parts as well as for cracks, then have fun. If you do reload go with the lightest smokeless loads from a good manual {Lyman, Hodgdon} or use a bp/sub. Remember, the .38S&W is a heeled bullet so loading dies and bullets are different than other .38s Joe West Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad Hand Posted April 24, 2011 Share Posted April 24, 2011 Good news, Happy Easter! More good news, 38 S&W and 32 S&W[short] major factory offerings are made with the old guns in mind and you'll find the load is a very low pressure offering. Check your gun for proper lockup and operation of the moving parts as well as for cracks, then have fun. If you do reload go with the lightest smokeless loads from a good manual {Lyman, Hodgdon} or use a bp/sub. Remember, the .38S&W is a heeled bullet so loading dies and bullets are different than other .38s Joe West Are you sure it's a heeled bullet, I've never loaded a heeled bullet in any of my reloads, nor do I recall seeing any in the factory ammo I've shot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marauder SASS #13056 Posted April 24, 2011 Share Posted April 24, 2011 I believe the original (1876/77) bullets were heeled, externally lubed bullets (like the 22 rimfire bullets). Later, they made internally lubed bullets.The bullet was .361 diameter, a little larger than the 38 Special. For some good articles: http://www.chuckhawks.com/forgotten_38SW.htm http://www.reloadammo.com/38sw.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.38_S%26W Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Boy Posted April 25, 2011 Share Posted April 25, 2011 Pre-1898 solid frame revolvers were designed for use with black powder loads only! Here's a source for your reloading data ... http://www.goexpowder.com/images/LoadCharts/Cartridge-Pistol-Revolvers.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Possum Stu Posted April 25, 2011 Share Posted April 25, 2011 Excellent! Those resources are just what I needed. Thanks so much everyone. Now to track down the right dies and give it a try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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