looking for 38s&w dies

c_corrick · 01-25-2007, 08:37 PM

does anyone have a set of 38 s&w dies that they would like to sell.. not to be confused with 38 special.. thanks drop me a line at c_corrick@yahoo.com

SilverRun · 01-26-2007, 01:42 PM

Look at MidwayUSA - Shooting Supplies, Reloading, Gun Parts, Ammunition, Rifle Scopes & Airguns .

Calvin · 01-26-2007, 09:17 PM

Lee makes the dies- I have a set for the S&W revolver my Dad had. Your REAL problem is gonna be getting the proper size bullets. They're not the typical .357. They're like .361, and I cannot find a mold for them yet. If I do find one, I'll let you know.

Mooseman684 · 01-26-2007, 10:39 PM

Calvin,
Speer Reloading manual #10 says....The .38 S&W uses .357 dia.Speer 110gr.,.357Dia.125 gr.,.358 Dia. 148 gr.lead bevel base wadcutter, and .358 dia.158 gr. lead semi-wadcutter or roundnose Bullets.
Jacketed bullets over 125 gr. are NOT recommended !
Rich

Calvin · 01-26-2007, 11:39 PM

Mooseman,
They say it uses a .357 diameter bullet, but the actual bore size was/is bigger (.361 I was reminded). Trust me, I've slugged over a dozen of them and was told the standard .357 can work, but will not be accurate as they are undersized. I also wouldn't recommend using ANY jacketed bullets for these loads because the majority of the pistols chambered for the S&W were sent to England and were loaded with a 200 grain lead bullet (.38/200). They were never designed for jacketed bullets, or at least that's what Smith's historian told me.

Mooseman684 · 01-27-2007, 01:20 PM

You are talking clearance of 1-1/2 Thousandth of an inch for the bullet going down the bore. This was done to keep excessive pressures from being built up on hinged framed revolvers and small frame revolvers that were not too strong. By opening the bore, this kept pressures below the 14,900 cup Maximum working pressure. The guns were not designed for accuracy per se.
Rich

Calvin · 01-28-2007, 10:12 AM

I have to agree with you on keeping pressures down, but kinda disagree on the accuracy issue, Rich. According to S&W, they had to shoot no more than 2" at 21 feet before they left the factory.
I know it's a punitive cartridge, but any advantage you can gain helps with something like the .38 S&W. I tried the .357 Hornadys and Speers in mine and they wouldn't hit the broad side of a barn while standing inside it. A friend of mine had an oversized (.361) mold made for him some years ago and he cast me some excellent 158 grainers that actually hit 780 fps and grouped very well. Unfortunately he's gone now and his g/f sold all of his equipment after he passed. It's a shame, too. I really like the little cartridge and would not feel underarmed if it's all I had.

c_corrick · 02-16-2007, 08:08 PM

Yeah i finally got some, thanks a bunch!

weaseldave · 02-21-2007, 11:57 PM

I have a set but am looking to sell the whole get up. I need some info about the stuff that I have. (herters, rcbs and some others).

01-26-2007, 10:39 PM	#4
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness Posts: 9,702 Images: 2	Calvin, Speer Reloading manual #10 says....The .38 S&W uses .357 dia.Speer 110gr.,.357Dia.125 gr.,.358 Dia. 148 gr.lead bevel base wadcutter, and .358 dia.158 gr. lead semi-wadcutter or roundnose Bullets. Jacketed bullets over 125 gr. are NOT recommended ! Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

01-27-2007, 01:20 PM	#6
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness Posts: 9,702 Images: 2	You are talking clearance of 1-1/2 Thousandth of an inch for the bullet going down the bore. This was done to keep excessive pressures from being built up on hinged framed revolvers and small frame revolvers that were not too strong. By opening the bore, this kept pressures below the 14,900 cup Maximum working pressure. The guns were not designed for accuracy per se. Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

02-21-2007, 11:57 PM	#9
weaseldave Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8	38s&w I have a set but am looking to sell the whole get up. I need some info about the stuff that I have. (herters, rcbs and some others).

01-25-2007, 08:37 PM	#1
c_corrick Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 63	looking for 38s&w dies does anyone have a set of 38 s&w dies that they would like to sell.. not to be confused with 38 special.. thanks drop me a line at c_corrick@yahoo.com

01-26-2007, 01:42 PM	#2
SilverRun Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: AL Posts: 1,661	Look at MidwayUSA - Shooting Supplies, Reloading, Gun Parts, Ammunition, Rifle Scopes & Airguns .

01-26-2007, 09:17 PM	#3
Calvin Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 2,000	Lee makes the dies- I have a set for the S&W revolver my Dad had. Your REAL problem is gonna be getting the proper size bullets. They're not the typical .357. They're like .361, and I cannot find a mold for them yet. If I do find one, I'll let you know.

01-26-2007, 11:39 PM	#5
Calvin Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 2,000	Mooseman, They say it uses a .357 diameter bullet, but the actual bore size was/is bigger (.361 I was reminded). Trust me, I've slugged over a dozen of them and was told the standard .357 can work, but will not be accurate as they are undersized. I also wouldn't recommend using ANY jacketed bullets for these loads because the majority of the pistols chambered for the S&W were sent to England and were loaded with a 200 grain lead bullet (.38/200). They were never designed for jacketed bullets, or at least that's what Smith's historian told me.

01-28-2007, 10:12 AM	#7
Calvin Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 2,000	I have to agree with you on keeping pressures down, but kinda disagree on the accuracy issue, Rich. According to S&W, they had to shoot no more than 2" at 21 feet before they left the factory. I know it's a punitive cartridge, but any advantage you can gain helps with something like the .38 S&W. I tried the .357 Hornadys and Speers in mine and they wouldn't hit the broad side of a barn while standing inside it. A friend of mine had an oversized (.361) mold made for him some years ago and he cast me some excellent 158 grainers that actually hit 780 fps and grouped very well. Unfortunately he's gone now and his g/f sold all of his equipment after he passed. It's a shame, too. I really like the little cartridge and would not feel underarmed if it's all I had.

02-16-2007, 08:08 PM	#8
c_corrick Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 63	Yeah i finally got some, thanks a bunch!