38 Special cutdown to 38 S&W - The Firearms Forum

Slomo · 04-08-2011, 05:45 PM

A friend of mine has a H & R "break back" revolver calibered in 38 S&W. We already know the "break back" is a major safety concern so we would like to test it with a reload rather than commercial loads. We would prefer not to invest too much if anything in brass and dies so we concidered cuting down a 38 special case, since I already have the brass and dies. We know the 38 S&W is slightly larger in Dia. than the 38 Spl.
That is why we would like to draw info from more experienced hand loaders on this project.

CampingJosh · 04-08-2011, 06:27 PM

If you're not sure about the integrity of the firearm, take it to a gunsmith or call it a decoration piece. Do NOT fire it.
Learning if your $200 antique handgun works is not a reasonable trade-off for risking your hands, face, etc.

Slomo · 04-08-2011, 06:40 PM

It would be certainly be fired from a vise NOT by hand. Gunsmith? I dont have any locally I would trust.

Alpo · 04-08-2011, 09:18 PM

Here's your problem. If you cut 38 Special brass down to 38 S&W length, your Special seating die's crimp shoulder will not be low enough to crimp it.

Do you, by chance, also have 9mm dies? If so, you can crimp it with a 9mm seating die. 380 will work, for that matter.

A cut-down 38 special case will work in a 38 S&W chamber. Your case life will be short, as there will be much expansion when fired, and then resizing too small, giving you, again, much expansion when fired. I doubt you'd get more than two - maybe three loadings out of it before you got cracks.

Slomo · 04-08-2011, 09:51 PM

Thanks for the info.
I do have 9mm dies I could crimp with. I'm not too concerned with reload cycles.

oldgunfan · 04-08-2011, 11:01 PM

what about sizing with a 9mm makarov? there bullit's are .365 do you think that would work?

04-08-2011, 05:45 PM	#1
Slomo Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Mo. Ozarks Posts: 5	38 Special cutdown to 38 S&W A friend of mine has a H & R "break back" revolver calibered in 38 S&W. We already know the "break back" is a major safety concern so we would like to test it with a reload rather than commercial loads. We would prefer not to invest too much if anything in brass and dies so we concidered cuting down a 38 special case, since I already have the brass and dies. We know the 38 S&W is slightly larger in Dia. than the 38 Spl. That is why we would like to draw info from more experienced hand loaders on this project. -->

04-08-2011, 06:27 PM	#2
CampingJosh TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Indiana Contributor Posts: 4,788	Re: 38 Special cutdown to 38 S&W If you're not sure about the integrity of the firearm, take it to a gunsmith or call it a decoration piece. Do NOT fire it. Learning if your $200 antique handgun works is not a reasonable trade-off for risking your hands, face, etc. __________________ Nothing posted on TheFirearmsForum.com constitutes legal, accounting, gunsmithing, or other professional advice. Readers are encouraged to consult with qualified professionals for real advice. Your life is lived at your own risk. Don't blame me for the dumb things you do.

04-08-2011, 06:40 PM	#3
Slomo Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Mo. Ozarks Posts: 5	Re: 38 Special cutdown to 38 S&W It would be certainly be fired from a vise NOT by hand. Gunsmith? I dont have any locally I would trust.

04-08-2011, 09:18 PM	#4
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,662	Re: 38 Special cutdown to 38 S&W Here's your problem. If you cut 38 Special brass down to 38 S&W length, your Special seating die's crimp shoulder will not be low enough to crimp it. Do you, by chance, also have 9mm dies? If so, you can crimp it with a 9mm seating die. 380 will work, for that matter. A cut-down 38 special case will work in a 38 S&W chamber. Your case life will be short, as there will be much expansion when fired, and then resizing too small, giving you, again, much expansion when fired. I doubt you'd get more than two - maybe three loadings out of it before you got cracks. __________________ 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.

04-08-2011, 09:51 PM	#5
Slomo Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Mo. Ozarks Posts: 5	Re: 38 Special cutdown to 38 S&W Thanks for the info. I do have 9mm dies I could crimp with. I'm not too concerned with reload cycles.

04-08-2011, 11:01 PM	#6
oldgunfan V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Contributor Posts: 137	Re: 38 Special cutdown to 38 S&W what about sizing with a 9mm makarov? there bullit's are .365 do you think that would work?