Reloading .38 special

[Tinknocker]

Is it safe to reload regular .38 special cases to +P levels? or should I be using +P marked cases? Thanks

[Mayor McRifle]

Yes, there’s no difference. Standard .38 SPL brass and +P brass have the same dimensions and wall strengths. They’re just marked differently on the headstamp to denote the pressure difference between the two. Most people use the +P brass for +P loads just to keep their loads straight. They even sell new brass marked +P for that same reason.

[IVC]

Most brass is good for +P, but it's not quite that universal. I wouldn't worry about any modern, brand name brass. But I wouldn't tinker with some off-brand or cowboy ammo where the brass looks thin or suspicious. Standard brass does not have to be rated or safe for +P, but then also there are levels of +P.

[Kokopelli]

As a reloader of 38 Special, I have lots of fired brass. So much so that I only load cast lead projectiles in standard cases. +P stamped cases get jacketed (JHP) projectiles. That way there are at least two visible indicators on my reloads. Safety is always paramount. .

[Grendel Guy]

To deviate slightly, has anyone used brass plated (not copper) projectiles in .38 special? I came across some loaded marked +p from Remington in 125 grain on the box.

[bigbossman]

To deviate slightly, has anyone used brass plated (not copper) projectiles in .38 special? I came across some loaded marked +p from Remington in 125 grain on the box.

Works fine, but some tend to not last as long.

[Grendel Guy]

"last as long", meaning the powder has a shelf life?

[Tinknocker]

Thanks to all for clarifying this for me I have tons of brass and shooting it through a GP 100 .357 mag.

[bruceflinch]

"last as long", meaning the powder has a shelf life?

No, da brass

[bruceflinch]

Thanks to all for clarifying this for me I have tons of brass and shooting it through a GP 100 .357 mag.

Nice! I have over 50,000 rounds of 38 through mine.

[Grendel Guy]

No, da brass

Thanks, obviously didn't think about that.

[rsrocket1]

Actually, I just shot 100 rounds of 158g LRF bullets with 12g Ramshot Enforcer through both my Ruger Service Six and S&W 686 in 38 Special cases. That load generates 26,000 PSI peak pressure which is 7,500 PSI above 38 +P but still 9,000 PSI below 357 Magnum max pressures. The loads shot fine and I label my cartridge boxes "357 Magnum guns only". The 38 Special brass has the same wall thickness and base thickness as 357 Magnum (almost all modern 38 Sp does). So the wear and tear on the brass usually is the greatest on the case mouth from the roll crimp.

Of course, this is not an endorsement to load 38 SP above +P published data but it's just a anecdotal data point saying it works fine. I have a couple thousand 38 Special cases and only a few hundred 357 cases so for me, it's good to know that they can be used for my needs as either 38 Special loads or close to 357 Magnum loads.

[sigfan91]

I have a question. I know 38 special was developed as a black powder cartridge. What would happen if one loads a 38 special using pyrodex, with the same volume as the old black powder loading? In fact, would this work for all metallic cartridges developed first as black powder but converted to smokeless later on?

[rsrocket1]

I have a question. I know 38 special was developed as a black powder cartridge. What would happen if one loads a 38 special using pyrodex, with the same volume as the old black powder loading? In fact, would this work for all metallic cartridges developed first as black powder but converted to smokeless later on?

It works fine. I shot a number of 38 specials loaded with Alliant Black MZ a few years ago through my Ruger Service Six and they shot fine. Lots of smoke, not much recoil. I thought I chronographed them but I can't find the data. I'm glad the gun was stainless steel because it was very black after just a cylinder. I couldn't imagine what real BP would have looked like. It cleaned up just fine. I kept the fired brass uncleaned for a while and they oxidized pretty quickly.

[sigfan91]

It works fine. I shot a number of 38 specials loaded with Alliant Black MZ a few years ago through my Ruger Service Six and they shot fine. Lots of smoke, not much recoil. I thought I chronographed them but I can't find the data. I'm glad the gun was stainless steel because it was very black after just a cylinder. I couldn't imagine what real BP would have looked like. It cleaned up just fine. I kept the fired brass uncleaned for a while and they oxidized pretty quickly.

It would be interesting to see the chrono of these rounds using pyrodex. I think pyrodex generates less smoke than black powder. It’s been a while since I fired anything in black powder. It’s also nearly impossible to find right now. Pyrodex is everywhere.