birdshot8's
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smith and wesson Perfected. sold my victory model after i got the Perfected.
38 s&w
- Thread starter Jakester241
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weekender823
Member
dogngun - I wouldn't shoot that Iver. The old top break .38 S&Ws transitioned from black powder to smokeless sometime shortly after 1900 depending on brand. The black powder guns are dangerous with smokeless loads. Pull off one of the grips to check - if it has a flat spring, its and old black powder gun, a coil spring is a smokeless.
I shoot an Iver and a H&R hammerless top break, a Colt Police Positive, and just got an Enfield top break from 1944 that hasn't been to the range yet. Its a fun cartridge to shoot!
I shoot an Iver and a H&R hammerless top break, a Colt Police Positive, and just got an Enfield top break from 1944 that hasn't been to the range yet. Its a fun cartridge to shoot!
To digress….
The .38 S&W cartridge isn’t as popular as it might be because it’s supposed to use oddball bullets sized to .361” rather then .358” that is standard for .38 Special.
However if you have a Colt (Police Positive or Police Positive Special) chambered in .38 Colt New Police – which was Colt’s almost identical version of the .38 S&W cartridge – you’ll find that the bore usually runs .356” to .358” groove diameter. These can be hand loaded using easily obtained .358” diameter bullets. However you do need to substitute a .358” neck sizing plug in place of the larger .362” size that usually comes with a .38 S&W die set.
So far as I know Colt was the only manufacturer that used tighter barrels, although I have noticed some of the S&W .38-200 Victory models run toward a smaller size. So if you load your own ammunition it pays to slug and check both bore and chamber throat sizes in your particular revolver.
The .38 S&W cartridge isn’t as popular as it might be because it’s supposed to use oddball bullets sized to .361” rather then .358” that is standard for .38 Special.
However if you have a Colt (Police Positive or Police Positive Special) chambered in .38 Colt New Police – which was Colt’s almost identical version of the .38 S&W cartridge – you’ll find that the bore usually runs .356” to .358” groove diameter. These can be hand loaded using easily obtained .358” diameter bullets. However you do need to substitute a .358” neck sizing plug in place of the larger .362” size that usually comes with a .38 S&W die set.
So far as I know Colt was the only manufacturer that used tighter barrels, although I have noticed some of the S&W .38-200 Victory models run toward a smaller size. So if you load your own ammunition it pays to slug and check both bore and chamber throat sizes in your particular revolver.
zxcvbob
Member
I just tried reloading it using 9mm Luger dies. Mostly cut-down .38 Special brass, with a few new Starline .38 S&W cases mixed it. (I know the Specials might split.) The 9mm dies worked just fine *except* I was not able to seat full wadcutter bullets out to 1.24" because they would get stuck in the seating die. Another bullet profile would work better. Wadcutters at 1.15" OAL was not a problem.
The next test is whether the actual .38SW cases get sized enough at the base when I reload them again after they have been fired once. I don't think it will be a problem because the case head will prevent it from expanding at the base anyway.
Gonna try them out in my new Webley later this afternoon. (S&W Model 10/15/19 speedloader fits the ol' Webley, how cool is that?)
The next test is whether the actual .38SW cases get sized enough at the base when I reload them again after they have been fired once. I don't think it will be a problem because the case head will prevent it from expanding at the base anyway.
Gonna try them out in my new Webley later this afternoon. (S&W Model 10/15/19 speedloader fits the ol' Webley, how cool is that?)
zxcvbob
Member
The ammo loaded with 9mm dies worked just fine. It was absolutely filthy because I had it loaded so light with a medium-slow powder -- 3.0 grains of Herco. None of the .38 Special cases split. (I expected to lose one or two of 'em.) The real .38SW cases are sooted-up on the outside just as bad as the cut Special cases so the problem wasnt just a loose fit.
The Webley needs a little TLC from a gunsmith
The case heads drag on the lower right edge of the recoil shield, right were the latch spring is. It looks like the spring may be holding it away from the frame a little. That spring is awfully strong for some reason. Doesn't matter if you use the trigger to turn the cylinder or thumb the hammer, you have to "help" it a little with your other hand (safe for SA, dangerous DA) unless you only loaded 1 or 2 cartridges so they are already past the bind.
I'll keep using the Webley for load development until I get something I want to try in the Colt. But I'll have to use it like a single-shot for a while.
Going to try International Clays and American Select powders next because they burn pretty clean at low pressures.
The Webley needs a little TLC from a gunsmith
The case heads drag on the lower right edge of the recoil shield, right were the latch spring is. It looks like the spring may be holding it away from the frame a little. That spring is awfully strong for some reason. Doesn't matter if you use the trigger to turn the cylinder or thumb the hammer, you have to "help" it a little with your other hand (safe for SA, dangerous DA) unless you only loaded 1 or 2 cartridges so they are already past the bind.I'll keep using the Webley for load development until I get something I want to try in the Colt. But I'll have to use it like a single-shot for a while.
Going to try International Clays and American Select powders next because they burn pretty clean at low pressures.
zombie44
Member
I have some 38 s&w dies on order but couldn't find any 38 s&w brass or ammo in stock anywhere but since I have a bunch of 38 spcl brass laying around I thought I'd trim them down and give it a go
A copper pipe cutter made it easy work
They all went bang and no split cases Accuracy wasn't too bad considering the mismatch brass and bullet (Berry 38/357 copper plated). Anyway it's a fun little gun to shoot!!
A copper pipe cutter made it easy work
They all went bang and no split cases
Accuracy wasn't too bad considering the mismatch brass and bullet (Berry 38/357 copper plated). Anyway it's a fun little gun to shoot!!zxcvbob
Member
The Special cases that I cut down, I just ripped the end off with a pair of diagonal cutters until they were close but a little too long. Then cleaned them up with a Lee case trimmer and a cordless drill. It's faster than it sounds.
The Webley is at the gunsmith's. The recoil shield is a little loose and the latch spring holds it away from the frame where it binds on the case heads when the cylinder turns. Not sure if it can be tightened, or if the spring needs to be heated to remove some temper (so it won't be so strong.) Hopefully it's just a loose screw.
The Webley is at the gunsmith's. The recoil shield is a little loose and the latch spring holds it away from the frame where it binds on the case heads when the cylinder turns. Not sure if it can be tightened, or if the spring needs to be heated to remove some temper (so it won't be so strong.) Hopefully it's just a loose screw.
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