.38 230 grain pin bullets

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magyars4 said:
230 gr bullets in 38 special cases seems way too heavy.
Just checked a couple reloading manuals and the heaviest bullet I can find data on is 180 gr
Click to expand...

yes they were speciality bullets, not normal loading fare. 200 grains is a bit more common, fellas duplicating the old super police load for 38 special.
 
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NeroM said:
Penn makes a similar bullet.
Approx 6.5 gr AA#9 works ok, however slightly anemic for real pins (2x4 "pins" = ok).
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Thanks NeroM, where is the load data from? I think Penn uses one of the original moulds for this bullet too, made by the now defunct H&G. I tried to find one of their moulds but they are pretty much collectable now.
 
The .38 Super cartridges developed in the 1920s and 1930s can get confusing.
There's a .38 S&W 200gr load marketed as .38 S&W Super Police
and a .38 Special 200gr load marketed as .38 Super Police
and a enhanced .38 Auto cartridge with 130gr FMJ bullet marketed as .38 Super.
The 200gr revolver loads were esteemed for being "man stoppers" supposedly more prone to tumbling after impact..
The .38 Super auto was esteemed for defeating (lead) bulletproof vests.
And I have read true and fictional crime stories about the 20s and 30s that confuse the revolver and auto rounds.
 
Trekk......
Have been playing with various 38 SPL loads for approx 45 years, often from a S&W M10. Used 2400 for heavy bullet loads (200+ gr). A few years ago could not get 2400- LGS had both AA#9 and xmp5744 in stock. So I got one of each. 5744 is bulky, tight fit in 38 SPL case. #9, worked better than projected, got to suggested load through some trial and error. I believe a recent AA manual has a similar load. My loads have been good for me, anyone else - at their own risk.
Have since phased out these heavier bullets as sometimes they did not stabilize well and didn't shoot comfortably to the M10 sight..
 
170 is about as heavy as I’ll go with .38 Spl loads. Anything more and I’m not getting any accuracy or a velocity that I’ve found to be worth the effort.

.357? those I’ll run bullets up to 200 gr, but not very often.

Stay safe.
 
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I load a 200 gr hemispherical round nose bullet in 38 S&W replicating the old 38/200 MkI load. The bullet is longer than the case. Shooting them out of my Webley Mark IV at a blistering 600 fps.

That 230gr looks like it would be fun in a 38 Special.
 
NeroM said:
Trekk......
Have been playing with various 38 SPL loads for approx 45 years, often from a S&W M10. Used 2400 for heavy bullet loads (200+ gr). A few years ago could not get 2400- LGS had both AA#9 and xmp5744 in stock. So I got one of each. 5744 is bulky, tight fit in 38 SPL case. #9, worked better than projected, got to suggested load through some trial and error. I believe a recent AA manual has a similar load. My loads have been good for me, anyone else - at their own risk.
Have since phased out these heavier bullets as sometimes they did not stabilize well and didn't shoot comfortably to the M10 sight..
Click to expand...

Thanks NeroM
 
Good grief; is there room for any powder underneath? As a PP noted, it does sound like a Webley load; all throw weight and no velocity.
Good read!
Moon
 
yes they are out there once you start looking. I will be looking to cast. Would have loved a H&G mould, which most of those bullets above are manufactured with. But the Accurate company mould will be as good.Something about 230 grains in a 38 or 357 just seems obscene, but fun at the same time.
 
I used RCBS mould 38-200, intended for 35 Rem for pins. Worked o.k. but the round nose was a bit of a problem getting "bite". Went back to 357446 or 358156 at about 165-170 grains.
 
PapaG said:
I used RCBS mould 38-200, intended for 35 Rem for pins. Worked o.k. but the round nose was a bit of a problem getting "bite". Went back to 357446 or 358156 at about 165-170 grains.
Click to expand...
Could you backwards load 38-200 to get the 'wadcutter' base forward?
 
Never even thought about it. Suppose you could. May be able to seat it out for a little more case capacity. Don't shoot pins any more so I just don't know. Got a half dozen boxes loaded I need to shoot up though.
 
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