Using .38 AMU cases for .38 speial

[Ronniefromalabama]

I recently acquired some .38 AMU brass. I've read that it is usable for .38 Special revolver. The AMU spec calls for wad cutter projectiles and I was wondering if I should load the brass with wad cutter only or use other .38 bullets.

Anyone have experience with this brass?

 

[cfullgraf]

I believe the 38 AMU is a rimless version of 38 Special. It was designed for working in modified M1911's for bullseye competition.

If I am correct in my memory, I doubt it will work in your revolver as there is nothing for the case to headspace on.

 

[Ronniefromalabama]

You are correct. The gun was built for the 1964 National Matches. The head stamp on the brass I have is marked "AMU" which stands for Army Marksmanship Unit.

Actually, they do have a slight rim. It fits snuggly in my old S&W model 10.
My research says to use the same loads as the .38 special, but does not mention the projectile.

I'm not sure why the specified bullet for the original was the wad cutter.

 

[rcmodel]

Because any normal revolver bullet would be too long to fit and feed in an auto pistol magazine.
The guns were built for Centerfire class NRA Bullseye competition and Wadcutters were what they used in competition.

My advice to you would be to advertise the cases for sale.

Cartridge collectors would be all over them.
As well as anyone lucky enough to own a .38 AMU pistol.

They are worth WAY MORE as rare .38 AMU brass, then sub-par range fodder for a revolver!!

rc

 

[Ronniefromalabama]

rcmodel, I intend to do just that.

I am in the process of subscribing as a paid member of this board so I can use the buy/sell forum, and also looking for other venues.

I have a sufficient quantity of the brass to sell quite a bit of it and also use some for myself.

The brass I have is from a cache from a deceased member of the Army shooting team from back in the sixties. He was stationed at Fort Benning which is near where I live. His estate came up for auction recently an I was fortunate enough to get a large quantity of his ammo and reloading stores.

(I apologize if I've posted duplicates. I'm having a great deal of difficulty with a bum hand).

 

[rcmodel]

How much brass do you have??

I shot one (just for the Halibut) with 5th. Army AMU in 1968.

We only had one gun Ft. Benning sent for us evaluation earlier, and not much ammo left at that time.

It was a mighty accurate, mild mannered gun though.

rc

 

[Ronniefromalabama]

I have in excess of 3000 rounds in brass, and over a 1000 rounds in aluminum, I think, at least it is silver colored.

I also picked up over 2000 rounds of .222 which is also quite rare I think.

 

[rcmodel]

It would be Nickel plated brass, not aluminum.

You must have all the .38 AMU brass left in the world!!!

Setting on a gold mine if you play your cards right!!

(And don't shoot it up in a .38 Spl revolver.)

rc

 

[Ronniefromalabama]

LOL... I'm pretty sure I have most of it. In researching this stuff, I haven't found any for sale since about 2010 on the net.

Seriously I don't intend to shoot it up in my revolver. I have plenty of .38 special for that, just looking for discussions about the AMU brass.

I don't know about the gold mind and I'm not sure I know how to capitalize on the opportunity anyhow, but I'm sitting on it for now.

Out of curiosity, do you think I should tumble this brass of leave it as is to sell it. it is in pretty good condition as is.

 

[LeonCarr]

One word...Gunbroker .

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[WestKentucky]

I would sell it on Gunbroker and sites like this one one piece at a time. What you have is a crossover for military collectors, caliber collectors, and specific AMU collectors. I wouldn't call it a gold mine, but I do think you have a solid nugget or two since this stuff is pretty rare. Lots of cartridge collectors will pay a few bucks for something rare just to say they have it.

 

[rcmodel]

I would count out 200.
Polish & bag half of it, and not polish the other 100.

Then list them (with good photos) on Gunbroker, or one of the other auction sites.

Starting price low, like $20.00 or something.

Then see which bag brings top dollar.

And go from there.

Here's some listed at a $buck a case last year.
http://www.armslist.com/posts/4571499/tacoma-washington-reloading-for-sale---38-amu-brass

rc

 

[ReloaderFred]

The .38 AMU wasn't rimless. It uses the same "rim" as the .38 Super, which is semi-rimed. The bullets were HBWC, seated flush with the case mouth. This was done for two reasons, which RC touched on. The first was the magazines wouldn't hold anything longer, and the second was the HBWC bullet is the most accurate for bullseye shooting, which is what those guns, and the S&W Model 52, were specifically made for.

Remington and Federal both made .38 AMU ammunition, and I'm not sure about Winchester. All the .38 AMU brass I had was either Remington or Federal. The Remington brass was in boxes marked ".38 AMU" in regular factory printing, but the Federal brass was in .38 Special wadcutter boxes, with printed labels added over the factory .38 Special printing on the boxes. There was also a rubber stamp of ".38 AMU" on a couple of places on the Federal boxes, probably so the GI's wouldn't get them mixed up with regular .38 Special ammunition. The labels and stampings appeared to have been done at the factory.

I gave the Federal brass I had to the Federal reps at the SHOT Show a couple of years ago, and the Remington brass was given to the Remington reps at the same show. They promised me it would go in their company displays, but I have my doubts it ever made it there.........

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Jesse Heywood]

I found one place trying to sell AMU brass at 3/$5.

 

[1KPerDay]

I've read that it is usable for .38 Special revolver. The AMU spec calls for wad cutter projectiles and I was wondering if I should load the brass with wad cutter only or use other .38 bullets.

Seriously I don't intend to shoot it up in my revolver.