Sgt. Hochbauer, SASS #64409 Posted October 12, 2021 Posted October 12, 2021 Was given a HR breaktop. Is it critical to use .38 s&w brass or will .38 spcl brass trimmed to the correct length work and be safe. I have 100 gr hbwc or 105 gr tc bullets...as far as powder I have trail boss ,clays,also bullseye and goex. Any info or suggestions much appreciated. Hochbauer
H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 Posted October 12, 2021 Posted October 12, 2021 Why trim .38 Special? .38 Short Colt is already the proper length. That being said, no, I would not do it. Short Colt's will fit in a .38 S&W, but they are undersized. Also, the S&W round uses a .360" bullet while the Short/Long/Special/Magnum family uses a .358" bullet. (Unless you use hollow base bullets. But those are pricey.) .38 S&W is a great little round. You can have a lot of fun with it and it is a very additive round to play with. You may start out with pocket pistols, but you'll soon have a lot more things in the caliber. Colt Detective Special, S&W Victory Model, Mark IV Webley, and yes, there are guns that you can use as main match revolvers in this caliber. No rifles though.
Sgt. Hochbauer, SASS #64409 Posted October 12, 2021 Author Posted October 12, 2021 I am trying to use the resources that I have on hand (also being cheap) and do have lots of .38 spcl and a trimmer. Also have a goodly amount of 100 gr hollow base wad cutters. Any particular powder or load would you suggest? Hochbauer
H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 Posted October 12, 2021 Posted October 12, 2021 Trailboss. Unless it's an antique. Then black.
Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 Posted October 12, 2021 Posted October 12, 2021 Remington, Winchester and others still load this caliber. They are all loaded light because of all the old top breaks. Just buy a box of PROPERLY fitting brass and you can reload it numerous times.
Sgt. Hochbauer, SASS #64409 Posted October 12, 2021 Author Posted October 12, 2021 Larsen, Sometimes you just dont see the obvious...as I have been casting and reloading for so long buying ammo has been out of my thougt pattern for a very long time. Hochbauer
Abilene Slim SASS 81783 Posted October 12, 2021 Posted October 12, 2021 4 hours ago, Sgt. Hochbauer, SASS #64409 said: Was given a HR breaktop. Is it critical to use .38 s&w brass or will .38 spcl brass trimmed to the correct length work and be safe. I have 100 gr hbwc or 105 gr tc bullets...as far as powder I have trail boss ,clays,also bullseye and goex. Any info or suggestions much appreciated. Hochbauer Case dimensions are different between .38 Sp and .38 S&W in more ways than just length. .38 S&W case diameter is bigger and the rim a smidge thicker than .38 SP.
Doc X Posted October 12, 2021 Posted October 12, 2021 If your H&R is safe for smokeless power 1.2 gr of Trail Boss under a 105gr TCFP and in 38 S&W brass is a nice soft shooting load.
WOLFY Posted October 12, 2021 Posted October 12, 2021 Some reloading manuals list lower pressure recipes for break top .38 S&W. 2 grn Bullseye under a 100 grn RNL bullet is a fave of mine. I use it for my lemon squeezers and owl-head guns.
Stump Water Posted October 12, 2021 Posted October 12, 2021 I load 1 gr. HP38 in a .38 S&W case. 82gr bullet. It reaches way out to those 5' away pocket pistol side match targets just fine. .38 S&W brass is thin as paper at the mouth. I lose a few every time I load. Even in a single-stage press, going easy, you just can't feel that thin-arse case crushing.
Duffield, SASS #23454 Posted October 13, 2021 Posted October 13, 2021 I used 1.5 grains of Bullseye and a 123 grain bullet sized to .358 which is undersize in the 38 S&W bore but keeps pressure down. I have seen others use cut down 38 special cases with no ill results but I DON"T recommend it. I sold my H&R so I now have several boxes of 38 S&W that are surplus to my needs will probably sell them for components only at Black Gold next year.
H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 Posted October 13, 2021 Posted October 13, 2021 1.1 grains of Trailboss behind a .360" 158 grain bullet. Very light, very accurate.
SOUTH-PACIFIC,SASS #59402 Posted October 13, 2021 Posted October 13, 2021 verry good answers i have some modified brass shot from a modified cylinder doesn't look verry nice don't modify any thing the final outcome could be tragit look for correct factory ammo life and safety is more important than being cheep
Sgt. Hochbauer, SASS #64409 Posted October 13, 2021 Author Posted October 13, 2021 Lots of good information. I am going to be patient and get the right components before I shoot the gun. I just might look for some loaded ammo as suggested. This is not going to be used all that much so a box of 50 will last for a spell. This looks to become a winter project. Thanks all for your input. Hochbauer
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