38 Special ammo question

[Reloadron]

I could not find that cutaway cartridge image when I started this thread, but just stumbled across it so figure I will post it. It may not be accurate but it is what got me started on this in the first place. So here it is, but I would think something is filling the gap because I would think it is not good for the powder to be loose inside the case.

View attachment 1066072

The gap is air and it's perfectly fine when working from good published load data. You just need to look at powder burn rates and understand the VMD (Volume Metered Density) of different powders. The idea being to get a good ignition in the cartridge. All powders have a burn rate and VMD.

Ron

 

[Dave T]

Many of these had their 7 1/2" barrels chopped to 4 3/4". These were mostly issued to artillery units, so the 4 3/4" barreled Colts are often referred to as the Artillery Model.
View attachment 1064499

Mr. Johnson,

If you check you will find that the refurbished "cavalry" Colts were cut down to 5-1/2", not 4-3/4".



Most of the "Refurbished Colts" were fully blued but according to Graham, Kopec, & Moore (A Study of the Single Action Army Revolver) there were a few that had never see field service and simply had the barrel's shortened to the newly prescribed 5-1/2". The example above is a reproduction of one of those SAAs by the now defunct USFA.



On this reproduction all the markings are correct, from the US stamp on the left side of the frame to each part stamped with the "HN" of the Ordnance inspector Henry Nettleton including his cartouche on the one piece walnut stocks.

Dave

 

[Palladan44]

I travel and carry through New Jersey often, yes hollow points are a no no in that state. Hornady Critical Defense or Critical Duty with the nylon nose piece is not considered a hollow point, that is the get around. If you are carrying a snubby where expansion is a sometimes deal a good SWC or Full Wadcutter is an option. If you reload RimRock makes a very nice 158 grain SWC with an extra wide nose, nice sharp shoulder and excellent frontal area.

https://rimrockbullets.com/xcart/tsh-38-357-mag-158-gr-swc-wn-per-200.html

Reminds me of the get-around using a rifle in "shotgun only" territories for deer hunting..using a Rifled shotgun barrel, with 3" magnum Sabot Slugs you have at least a .45-70 in trajectory.....but using a. 30-30 is a no-go...... my state now allows rifles everywhere unless local laws state otherwise....they saw the redundancy in the law.... This law in NJ sounds pretty redundant to me.... Id be packing Hornady Critical Duty flex locks, the same ammo that the FBI uses, and just call it a day.

 

[Palladan44]

Use utmost caution when reloading .38 specials for the factors that can contribute to a KB are all available for duty.

1)A large case that takes 2) a small volume of fast burning powder, where 3) you can't see into the case very well your prescribed powder charge. Which leaves a potential for A) double charging(or more)of powder or B) no charging of powder.

Although the primer alone should not be able to push the bullet out beyond the breech into the barrel, but with the huge variance in bullets, throat tolerances in different revolvers (and amounts of erosion) I wouldn't bank on this happening. The bullet may be able to be pushed well beyond that point where you may be able to follow up with another shot just after the squib load.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Mr. Johnson,

If you check you will find that the refurbished "cavalry" Colts were cut down to 5-1/2", not 4-3/4".

Yes, dunno what I was thinking. 5 1/2" is what many of the older 7 1/2" Colts were cut to.

 

[e rex]

Mr. Keith's 13 1/2 grains of 2400 will pretty well fill the case for you but you better have a sturdy platform to set them off in. I personally load 4 grains Bullseye in a 38 special case with a 150 grain 358477. It is one of my favorites.

 

[Pulldeaux]

Ah yes, the infamous wadcutters. I have loved those bullets for decades. Especially the 148 grain HBWC. Generally a 148 grain HBWC or DEWC over 3.0 grains of Bullseye and they are a pleasure to shoot, including in my S&W Model 15. Just pleasant to shoot and not really expensive bullets. They shoot fine in my Model 15 and you have to love the little punched out holes in paper targets.

Earlier in the thread I saw reference to using a wadcutter as a defensive bullet. While I have never tried it a .38 Special HBWC bullet can be loaded hollow base out, I guess the theory is with the hollow base out they expand better. If I want a defensive load I would rather have a good JHP bullet like a Hornady XTP or similar.

While I have thought about it I have never loaded .38 Special with black powder but I bet the smoke effect would be pretty cool. The time spent cleaning not so much.

Ron

 

[Pulldeaux]

Loaded some hollow bases backwards,don’t remember the charge they wouldn’t make it out of a gal. Of h20.ha

 

[Pulldeaux]

I wonder if you can use these in NJ? These are supposed to do as much damage as a hollow point.
View attachment 1064365
Black Hills Ammuniton--Honeybadger

 

[Pulldeaux]

These are two-for one advantage s no Hp and no lead = this makes the treehuggers /gun grabbers angry !