38 Short Colt loading questions

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Dixiemunitions

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Reloading for a client who wants 38 Short Colt for an inherited gun. After reading some old threads here, it seems I have the equipment to do this (38 Spl die set and 9mm flare die). Two questions remain:

1. Bullet compatability. Can I use regular "38" caliber lead bullets? I cast my own in 158 gr (.358), 124 gr (.356/9mm), and 100 gr (for 380auto, I believe the cast is .355). Will any of these work or will I have to get a mold for the .375 heeled bullet?

2. Case compatability. Can I cut down 38 spl cases to work, or will I need to order 38 SC cases?

Thanks in advance!
 
After reading some old threads here
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One might have been mine :p

it seems I have the equipment to do this (38 Spl die set and 9mm flare die).
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The 38 Special seat die won't crimp - it's internally too long. For crimping, you would also use the 9mm die. It works okay. Myself, I bought an actual 38 SC seat die from RCBS (not cheap at all) so I could do a proper roll crimp. I think I spent $120 or something silly like that - just to load some novelty rounds.

Can I use regular "38" caliber lead bullets?
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Basically, yes. Diameter-wise, anyway. Ideally, you want a .358 bullet. The problem is that most 38/357 purposed bullets are too heavy for 38 Short Colt. With 38 SC, I wouldn't go heavier than 110gn, or so. 158's are likely too heavy for any practical use. And if you seated them at the crimp groove, that'd leave next to no space inside the case for powder - do not do this.

9mm bullets of 124gn or less will work, but it would be best to get them sized to .358. If you use .356 bullets, they will likely "float around" quite a bit during their trip downrange. Especially considering most vintage revolver barrels tend to be large to begin with.

Myself, I bought some 105gn truncated cone bullets from Missouri Bullet Co., and some 100gn double-ended wadcutters from Penn bullets. Both of these are .358.

Can I cut down 38 spl cases?
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Yes, but that's a lot of cutting.

or will I need to order 38 SC cases?
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That'd be best, ideally. But it gets into cost - like the SC seat die.
 
I load for 38 short colt for my converted 51 navies...

I guess my 1st question... are you trying to load heel seated bullets like the original 38 short colt or loading the "modern CAS" version ( are you loading for a converted Navy with the original cap & ball barrel diameter .360??? ) or like my converted Navies that have .357 barrels now ( I used a pair of TJ's liners on my guns )

I bought Starline 38 Short Colt cases... mine came from Track of the Wolf, but I see they are in stock at Midway...

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/31...box-of-100-bulk-packaged?cm_vc=ProductFinding

& I bought a set of Lee dies... ($32.00 )

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/12...-short-colt-38-long-colt?cm_vc=ProductFinding
 
If you search you will find commercially available 38 cast bullets even lighter than 100 grains. The Cowboy shooters use them for light recoil. They would be well suited for 38 short.
 
As originally loaded the .38 Short Colt had a heeled bullet (like a .22 Long Rifle).

Around the turn of the century manufacturers started getting away from the heeled bullet because it was a pain to deal with and started loading modern style bullets (of .357ish diameter).

Normally, a .357 bullet would have come close to dropping through the .375-.380 bore on many of the older guns.

So manufacturers adopted a bullet with a big hollow in the base that on firing allowed the bullet's skirt to blow out and engage the rifling. Results were.... OK... for the most part.

One solution is to use hollow-base wad cutters loaded very lightly.

Another solution is to find a hollow-base mold (don't know if they're made anymore) and cast your own out of soft lead.
 
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