.38 S&W blackpowder ammo?

[AethelstanAegen]

Does anyone know of a source for low pressure, .38 S&W ammo loaded with blackpowder? I have an old S&W Safety Hammerless that is probably from late 1898-1899 and I'd like to shoot it if possible (not shoot it much, but once in a while). I don't want to blow the thing up of course.

So long story short, does anyone know of a company that makes either blackpowder loaded or low pressure .38 S&W ammo?

Here she is:

 

[towboat_er]

I've no idea. I load BP into 45lc. Its very easy to do. And much more fun to shoot.

 

[Busyhands94]

Just buy some Magtech brass and lead bullets with some large handgun primers (I believe that's what the .38 S&W takes) and do it yourself. Tap the primer into the primer pocket with a hammer and a piece of 1/4" brass or steel. Then pour black powder into the case until you are a little under the mouth of the case. Then tap the bullet into the case with a piece of softwood.

Tasty revolver by the way!

 

[Analogkid]

I shoot the PPV 38 s&w out of all my .38's Old Iver johnsons s&w's and my H&R's


Of course it isn't wise, but it's a pretty light load and I have not noticed any tolerance changes in any of them and I have been checking.

Feels like shooting a 22 out of all of them.

The Winchester silver box seems to be a little hotter and that's what's in the H&R 925 I pocket carry sometimes.

 

[Pete D.]

.38 s&w

I have three revolvers chambered for the .38 S&W. Two are vintage British BullDogs and need BP loads. Frankly, your best bet is to load your own. Get a hAnd press, a set of dies, some FFFg Goex or some Pyrodex, buy some proper .361 diameter bullets from Matt's Bullets or Beartooth Bullets, buy a few hundred small pistol primers, some Starline brass, and load them up.

That being said, you can order BP loaded cartridges from GAD Custom Cartridges. If you do, be prepared to wait. He is not fast.
Pete.

 

[rcmodel]

The 10-X Cowboy loads I linked in your other thread are made for this.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/79...0-grain-lead-hollow-base-flat-point-box-of-50

rc

 

[BHP FAN]

I used 9mm Makarov lead bullets and 16 gr. of 3f Goex to make mine.I have a ''British Bulldog'' [made in Belgium I believe] and that exact same S&W. Oh, and a Webley and Scot and an Albion made ''Enfield'' in .38 S&W.

 

[AethelstanAegen]

Thanks for all the input and advice. I'll have to do some evaluating of the risks/etc. If I could find the Ten-X in stock I'd probably go that route.

 

[Logan5579]

Beautiful revolver! My grandfather had a similar revolver chambered for 32 S&W long, it was his EDC gun.

 

[Pete D.]

I used 9mm Makarov lead bullets and 16 gr. of 3f Goex

Clever....the Mak bullets .....I shall give them a try.
Btw about that CAS ammo from Midway....
Read this review before you buy and use:

five stars is because it is what it's supposed to be, and does what it's supposed to do. Unfortunately, my use of it was a misapplication of its intended use, so I wanted to warn others that may use it like I did. I hadn't fired my 100+ year old H&R American in months and couldn't find .38 S&W anywhere. This was all that was in stock, so I ordered a box. It's really for Cowboy Action shooting, not for firing in antique revolvers. The hollow base expands when fired to engage the rifling from the rear of the bullet. This keeps its nose heavy and gives it a good spin for accuracy at low speeds. Although I didn't notice any excessive noise or impact, I believe the extra force of the base expanding in the forcing cone was enough to jar the cylinder pin loose. Every other round, the cylinder came loose and I had to put it back together. No damage to the gun, but this round was just a bad idea (on my part) in an antique revolver. After ten rounds, I gave the rest to the guy in the lane next to me at the range. If you're shooting an antique, the Magtech 38 S&Ws work perfectly at a good price. A hollow base bullet may not be an appropriate choice for your antique.]

 

[BHP FAN]

thanks. I just happened to have the Lee mold for my Bulgarian Mak and was inspired. I had been useing regular old .38 hollow based wadcutters, but thought this was a more elegant solution. I was worried at first because there's no crimping groove, but [I guess because of the lower pressures of BP] that is a non problem.I've even made some up out of Triple Seven, but they turned out a bit snappy, so I only trust them in the Webley and the Enfield.....

 

[arcticap]

The PPU ammo mentioned in post #4 above is available for $20 per box with free shipping included if ordering a case. The same seller also has Magtech.

http://www.targetsportsusa.com/c-577-38-sw-ammo.aspx

 

[BHP FAN]

PPU is the best loaded ammo made [in my opinion] but the Magtech .45-70 I bought used Starline brass, as does the .45 Colt ammo, if they do the same with .38 S&W, I might buy that just because of the brass.