.38 S&W - The Firearms Forum

dustydog · 12-09-2011, 03:34 PM

Just picked up a NIB H&R 926 in .38 S&W.Anybody got a pet load for the old workhorse?Going to drop 2.7 worth of Unique in some cases with a 158 grain Keith cast out of straight lead to start,but allway experimenting!

dbach · 12-09-2011, 04:29 PM

38 S&W? I assume you mean the short ones, not the .38 Special? I didn't even know any new guns were chambered for the .38 S&W.

I have a .38 S&W "Lemon Squeezer" or better known as the Safety Hammerless. the gun was made between 1989 and the early 1900's. I want to say 1910 or so, but I don't remember for sure.

dustydog · 12-09-2011, 05:52 PM

Yep,the short one.The revolver was made back in 1982,bought about 1983,and promptly put in a sock drawer.Does not show signs of firing(YET!),and gives me an excuse to dig thru the boxes of old ammo I have and use some factory until I load some good stuff(up to a box and a half already,thankfully nothing with balloon heads).

oldpapps · 12-09-2011, 10:37 PM

The few that I have loaded are with 231 powder and some (pain in the rear to cast) hollow point round nose 121 grain lead that I cast for use in a 9MM HiPower. Cast out of very soft lead, they ran .358 inch, I didn't size them and they did OK in my old Marlin revolver with .360 bore.
The 38S&W was used up until the late 1970s or early 80s by the Postal Inspectors. It is a fun little round if you don't try to push it too hard.

OSOK

Alpo · 12-10-2011, 07:40 AM

I use 148 grain HBWC, loaded out like a regular bullet. Put it on top of 3.0 of Unique.

The hollow base expands to grip the rifling. Excellent accuracy in both a 5th model Lemon Squeezer and a Perfected.

dustydog · 12-10-2011, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alpo

I use 148 grain HBWC, loaded out like a regular bullet. Put it on top of 3.0 of Unique.

The hollow base expands to grip the rifling. Excellent accuracy in both a 5th model Lemon Squeezer and a Perfected.

Sounds interesting,Alpo!What is your oal on the loaded round,and how heavy a crimp are you using?

Alpo · 12-10-2011, 11:59 AM

OAL is 1.145. Crimp is "run your thumb-nail up the case, and if you don't feel the crimp it's enough".

RJay · 12-10-2011, 03:45 PM

My load is almost identical to Alpo's except I like to use a little more crimp. I crimp them enough that the crimp is clearly visible. They seem to preform very well.

dustydog · 12-10-2011, 08:46 PM

Thanks,guys!Gives me an excuse to build an adjustment into the crimp die for this short lil' bugger!Also going to see how it works with the roundball load I cooked up for an old Smith quite some time ago.

12-09-2011, 03:34 PM	#1
dustydog V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 206	.38 S&W Just picked up a NIB H&R 926 in .38 S&W.Anybody got a pet load for the old workhorse?Going to drop 2.7 worth of Unique in some cases with a 158 grain Keith cast out of straight lead to start,but allway experimenting! __________________ EVOLVE,D**N IT! "Lee,you are a man without a country.A gun loving,agnostic,Objectivist social liberal that beleves in personal responsibility.Let's go shoot."Jim Kiley,co-founder of the New England Lead Biscuit Society,1992 -->

12-09-2011, 04:29 PM	#2
dbach V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Trinity, TX Posts: 166	Re: .38 S&W 38 S&W? I assume you mean the short ones, not the .38 Special? I didn't even know any new guns were chambered for the .38 S&W. I have a .38 S&W "Lemon Squeezer" or better known as the Safety Hammerless. the gun was made between 1989 and the early 1900's. I want to say 1910 or so, but I don't remember for sure. __________________ David Bachelder Trinity, TX Rookie Reloader but learning fast 9mm, 40S&W, 45ACP, 45 Colt, 38 Special, .357 Magnum, 38 S&W, .243, & 30-06 CHL ~ Texas

12-09-2011, 05:52 PM	#3
dustydog V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 206	Re: .38 S&W Yep,the short one.The revolver was made back in 1982,bought about 1983,and promptly put in a sock drawer.Does not show signs of firing(YET!),and gives me an excuse to dig thru the boxes of old ammo I have and use some factory until I load some good stuff(up to a box and a half already,thankfully nothing with balloon heads). __________________ EVOLVE,D**N IT! "Lee,you are a man without a country.A gun loving,agnostic,Objectivist social liberal that beleves in personal responsibility.Let's go shoot."Jim Kiley,co-founder of the New England Lead Biscuit Society,1992

12-09-2011, 10:37 PM	#4
oldpapps Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Middle America, Missouri Posts: 20	Re: .38 S&W The few that I have loaded are with 231 powder and some (pain in the rear to cast) hollow point round nose 121 grain lead that I cast for use in a 9MM HiPower. Cast out of very soft lead, they ran .358 inch, I didn't size them and they did OK in my old Marlin revolver with .360 bore. The 38S&W was used up until the late 1970s or early 80s by the Postal Inspectors. It is a fun little round if you don't try to push it too hard. OSOK

12-10-2011, 07:40 AM	#5
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,658	Re: .38 S&W I use 148 grain HBWC, loaded out like a regular bullet. Put it on top of 3.0 of Unique. The hollow base expands to grip the rifling. Excellent accuracy in both a 5th model Lemon Squeezer and a Perfected. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

12-10-2011, 11:59 AM	#7
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,658	Re: .38 S&W OAL is 1.145. Crimp is "run your thumb-nail up the case, and if you don't feel the crimp it's enough". __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

12-10-2011, 03:45 PM	#8
RJay Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,487	Re: .38 S&W My load is almost identical to Alpo's except I like to use a little more crimp. I crimp them enough that the crimp is clearly visible. They seem to preform very well. __________________ RonJames

12-10-2011, 08:46 PM	#9
dustydog V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 206	Re: .38 S&W Thanks,guys!Gives me an excuse to build an adjustment into the crimp die for this short lil' bugger!Also going to see how it works with the roundball load I cooked up for an old Smith quite some time ago. __________________ EVOLVE,D**N IT! "Lee,you are a man without a country.A gun loving,agnostic,Objectivist social liberal that beleves in personal responsibility.Let's go shoot."Jim Kiley,co-founder of the New England Lead Biscuit Society,1992