10mm and 38 Super: advantages

[Walkalong]

Ignore the .355 v .356 thing. Seriously. The 38 Super and 9mm have the same SAAMI 0.355 spec for barrel groove diameter. Actual barrel groove diameters in 9mm and 38 barrels run .355 to 0.357. Most 9mm are 0.356-0.357.

Most factory 38 Super ammo has 0.355 bullets.

Accuracy depends on the bullet and powder combination (see the article on 38 Super accuracy), specifically what your barrel likes. I've not seen it depend on diameter, and I've shot a few thousand rounds via a Ransom Rest. Diameter hasn't predicted anything I've seen so far.

So, in summary, ignore the .355 v .356 thing. Seriously.

I ignore the .355/.356 thing, but in reverse order when buying Zeros, I buy the .356 and shoot it in both 9MM & .38 Super. That said, my .38 Super shoots .355 just fine as well.

But as @fxvr5 posted, a lot of 9MM/.38 Super barrels are over .355.

 

[bannockburn]

Coyote3855

Congrats on the vintage Colt Combat Commander in .38 Super! Let us know how it does at the range as the barrel on older .38 Super Colt's use to headspace on the case rim, not the case mouth as they do nowadays. Not that it won't function properly it's just that accuracy may be kind of (excuse the pun), hit or miss. If you find a certain brand of ammo/brass that's consistently accurate, my advice is to stock up on it as it will probably have just the right size case rim for your barrel.

 

[bannockburn]

460Shooter

Awesome deal you made there...a Dan Wesson Pointman in .38 Super and a CZ Shadow 2!!!

That's like a couple of birthdays and Christmas rolled up into one!!!

 

[Zaydok Allen]

460Shooter

Awesome deal you made there...a Dan Wesson Pointman in .38 Super and a CZ Shadow 2!!!

That's like a couple of birthdays and Christmas rolled up into one!!!

I’m pretty dang happy. Picking up two wish list guns at the same time is a good day.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I just ordered 4 lbs of V-N105 from Brownells. They have it on sale for $27.99 per pound.

I’m thinking RMR truncated cone FMJ bullets are where I’ll start. Reading reflects they tend to shoot accurately in 38 Super.

I’m still a little unsure on brass between Starline Super +P or rimless Super Comp.

Upon looking in the chamber it looks like rimless would headspace off the case mouth no problem. There’s a note on rimless brass that the extractor May need adjusting. Haven’t done that before.

Better get on YouTube.

 

[bannockburn]

460Shooter

I’m pretty dang happy. Picking up two wish list guns at the same time is a good day.

Have to correct you on that last item.

Picking up two wish list guns at the same time is A GREAT DAY!!!

 

[Walkalong]

I just ordered 4 lbs of V-N105 from Brownells. They have it on sale for $27.99 per pound.

I’m thinking RMR truncated cone FMJ bullets are where I’ll start. Reading reflects they tend to shoot accurately in 38 Super.

I’m still a little unsure on brass between Starline Super +P or rimless Super Comp.

I just went ahead and bought 1K Super Comp, but chances are the semi rimmed will work, I have shot some of it to see, and in limited use, it worked. I would still likely go the Super Comp route though, not going to find much .38 Super on the ground, and it's not a lot pricier than fired rimmed .38 Super.

The RMRs should work well, they have not disappointed me in 9MM, but haven't tried them in Super. No reason they would not do well though. Very good bullets.

I have been using 3N37 in .38 Super, and while I have some N-105, I just haven't tried it in Super. Let us know how it does for you. Should do well.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I just went ahead and bought 1K Super Comp, but chances are the semi rimmed will work, I have shot some of it to see, and in limited use, it worked. I would still likely go the Super Comp route though, not going to find much .38 Super on the ground, and it's not a lot pricier than fired rimmed .38 Super.

The RMRs should work well, they have not disappointed me in 9MM, but haven't tried them in Super. No reason they would not do well though. Very good bullets.

I have been using 3N37 in .38 Super, and while I have some N-105, I just haven't tried it in Super. Let us know how it does for you. Should do well.

Will do. I’ve got load data for some really fast N105 124gr loadings. I’m interested to see how it does at long distance. Assuming I work up an accurate load it should shoot like a laser.

 

[Walkalong]

should shoot like a laser.

@Artofgolf here nicknamed my 3N37 90 Gr JHP 9mm Loads "Little Lasers", and they are. When shooting out of my 1911 they get to the target in a hurry.

I have been meaning to see what they will do in the .38 Super, but have not gotten around to it. Man would they be quick.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Well, ordered some dies. Brass is all that’s left. I watched a video on adjusting extractor tension. Pretty sure I can do that if need be.

I’d like to pick up some Wilson mags, but I think I’ll wait until my next paycheck. That can wait.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Shot my 38 Super for the first time yesterday.

The load I was shooting was breaking 1350 fps easily with no pressure signs on ejected cartridges. Recoil was very mild, in fact it was a lot more mild than I expected. If you haven't shot a 38 Super out of a 5" 1911, I recommend trying one at the earliest opportunity.

Feeding and ejection were pretty screwed up, but it was strictly a function of the rimless brass I was using I believe. I need to tighten my extractor, which was not an unexpected outcome. I was just hoping it was tuned to work with rimless brass also. Not so. Some tweeks are needed.

 

[horsemen61]

Awesome op glad you liked it