Reloading 38 super

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angus6

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Will be starting reloading 38 super in the next week what powders are you guys liking ? will be shooting a mix of cast, plated and fmj. I've got a bunch of surplus Unique but figure to save that for the 9's and .45's , also a few pounds of CPP.
 
► To get the full potential from 38S you'll want powders that are slightly slower than those for the 9. In This Powder Burn Rate Chart, from approximately #31 to roughly about #45. Final choice will depend upon the bullet weight. (Roughly the same powders you might also use for 147gr in 9mm.) I've had fabulous results with No.7 under a 150gr Nosler.

► Highly suggest you slug your barrel before starting, especially with lead. 38S barrels range from .355 (9mm) up to .357 (true 38). 130gr is the "normal" bullet weight.

► For plinking, I've been very happy with the 130gr and 135gr from Berry Mfg.
 
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A .355 ramped barrel was one of the must haves on this build , Have the Berry's 130's on hand a long with some 147 from a Magma mold , guess I'll run a couple of batches with the CPP and a couple with some AA#5 to start with
 
Rfwobbly,

I have a current production Colt in 38 super. I am new to reloading. I have not slugged my barrel yet I have been loading 130 gr .356 ball with midrange loads. Can I use .357 SJHPs meant for .357 mag, as long as I can get them to feed in my pistol? How much would .001 affect anything?
 
Unless you've got a 38 Super made before the 1970's there's no need to slug the barrel. It'll be set up for .355 (9mm) bullets. Back in the IPSC heydays guys would even go so far as to use the really heavy .357 bullets to make major. I wouldn't do it though. They were for race guns, and they did take beatings doing stuff like that. No need to make major these days . . .


I've had a lot of success with No 5 and 124 gr bullets for light rounds on the range. I've used No 7 in both 124 and 147 gr bullets at higher velocities. If I want stompin' full house, 3N37 is about the best around. Burns very clean, and very consistent velocities.

Somewhere around here I listed all that stuff . . .
 
I"m curious, what's the benefit of the .38 Super now days vs 9mm ? Unless I missed something the Super ballistic are about the same as 9mm and the Super uses the same bullets. Trouble is Super brass and commercial ammo, like 10mm, is a specialty item. High priced and hard to get. 9mm ammo is cheap and brass is readily available and often can be picked up free at the range. What gives ?
 
The 38 Super will go faster than a 9mm. Sometimes as much as 250 fps faster, and manage faster speeds with less pressure right up until you get stompin' hot with it.


To each his own.


I'll often drop in my 9mm barrel for lost brass matches.
 
I only shoot 38 Super in revolvers which were fatory chambered for the 38 Super. I use light loads - 124 gr. bullets at ca 900-100fps and 147 gr. bullets at 800-900fps with either WST or W-231 powders. I hate chasing expensive brass.
 
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