Loading 38 SP brass to 38 LC OAL

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runrob1

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Good Day Everyone,

I hope it is ok if I request some information. I am infrequent guest here. A great forum.
My question, I want to load 38 SP yo a maximum OAL 1.325". I have been looking to reload 148 gr wadcutters with flat nose. I am not sure what other bullets might be available to me to achieve this OAL. Does anyone have any suggestions?
I want to reload my 38 SP brass for a 38 LC chamber.
Thank you for your time and input.
Rob
 
runrob1 said:
Good Day Everyone,

I hope it is ok if I request some information. I am infrequent guest here. A great forum.
My question, I want to load 38 SP yo a maximum OAL 1.325". I have been looking to reload 148 gr wadcutters with flat nose. I am not sure what other bullets might be available to me to achieve this OAL. Does anyone have any suggestions?
I want to reload my 38 SP brass for a 38 LC chamber.
Thank you for your time and input.
Rob
Click to expand...

Will 38 Special cases fit in your 38 Long Colt chamber?
 
Sorry everyone. I was completely mistaken in my post here. But yes the chamber is for a conversion cylinder for 1851 Navy conversion cylinder. It will take of course the 38 LC, and the 38 SP case. My question is non sensical as yes the 38 SP case is longer than 38 LC so I would need to trim my 38 SP brass. I think I have embarrassed myself a little here.
:(
 
Okay, I get it.

You can use 38 Special cases (no need to trim if not required) and simply push the bullet in deeper so that it does not exceed your required OAL maximum of 1.325". You can do this with any bullet. It does not have to be a wadcutter bullet. The loaded round might look a little funny - depending on which bullet you use, but that's not important. Then use 38 Colt data to account for the bullet being deeper so pressure won't be high.
 
You might find this helpful.


If you load .38 special wadcutters for your conversion make sure you find and use HOLLOW BASE wadcutters for this use. DEWC will likely not expand/obturate far enough to engage the rifling sufficiently.
 
I started loading .38 LC with trimmed .38 Special brass, and it worked great, but it was a little labor intensive. I switched to Starline [https://www.starlinebrass.com/38-long-colt-brass] a while back, and it made it so much easier. They still have it in stock. You will probably need .38 LC dies [https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1020799378?pid=123113] though.

If loading for a conversion, you’ll probably need heeled bullets too. [https://oldwestbulletmoulds.com/shop/ols/products/38-caliber-150-grain-heel-bullets]. Or at least hollow base bullets.

BAD7D8E0-44D6-4871-BEEB-59CE3092AE7A.jpeg

If you don’t want to make the investment right now, you can just load regular wadcutters though.
 
Last edited:
I'm a bit confused. Is the conversion cylinder not designed to hold 38 Special ammo? Or is the conversion cylinder chambered for 38 Long colt and too short for a normal loaded 38 Special?
 
If your cylinder will take 38 spl, why are you wanting to trim you brass back to 38 long colt? Have you tried a 38 spl factory round in your cyl and found the bullet ties up the cylinder?
 
fxvr5 said:
Okay, I get it.

You can use 38 Special cases (no need to trim if not required) and simply push the bullet in deeper so that it does not exceed your required OAL maximum of 1.325". You can do this with any bullet. It does not have to be a wadcutter bullet. The loaded round might look a little funny - depending on which bullet you use, but that's not important. Then use 38 Colt data to account for the bullet being deeper so pressure won't be high.
Click to expand...
Thanks I appreciate the information. looking to reload 38 SP cowboy loads. So my 38 SP cases do fit my LC conversion cylinder. It's going to be loaded light for the maximum 850 FPS and 12,000 PSI. I will be looking at cookbooks for appropriate loading data. I appreciate everyone's help here.
 
Mr_Flintstone said:
I started loading .38 LC with trimmed .38 Special brass, and it worked great, but it was a little labor intensive. I switched to Starline [https://www.starlinebrass.com/38-long-colt-brass] a while back, and it made it so much easier. They still have it in stock. You will probably need .38 LC dies [https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1020799378?pid=123113] though.

If loading for a conversion, you’ll probably need heeled bullets too. [https://oldwestbulletmoulds.com/shop/ols/products/38-caliber-150-grain-heel-bullets]. Or at least hollow base bullets.

View attachment 979475

If you don’t want to make the investment right now, you can just load regular wadcutters though.
Click to expand...
Thank you I will make the purchase.
 
runrob1 said:
Thanks I appreciate the information. looking to reload 38 SP cowboy loads. So my 38 SP cases do fit my LC conversion cylinder. It's going to be loaded light for the maximum 850 FPS and 12,000 PSI. I will be looking at cookbooks for appropriate loading data. I appreciate everyone's help here.
Click to expand...

Sounds good. Happy shooting!
 
runrob1 said:
Thanks I appreciate the information. looking to reload 38 SP cowboy loads. So my 38 SP cases do fit my LC conversion cylinder. It's going to be loaded light for the maximum 850 FPS and 12,000 PSI. I will be looking at cookbooks for appropriate loading data. I appreciate everyone's help here.
Click to expand...
If regular .38 special bullets work, you won’t need the heeled bullets. What brand/model is your revolver? What diameter barrel does it have?
 
mdi said:
I'm a bit confused. Is the conversion cylinder not designed to hold 38 Special ammo? Or is the conversion cylinder chambered for 38 Long colt and too short for a normal loaded 38 Special?
Click to expand...
The typical ".36 Navy" conversion cylinders will allow full WC .38 special case length but not 158 grain bullet length (the nose will sit out too far for the cylinder to rotate). However some allow a 125 grain flat nosed .38 special load to fit and function. That doesn't fix the undersized .358" .38 special bullets though.
 
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