38 sw ammo for old revolver

[AlaskinAssasin]

Manufacturer

Other / Not Listed

Caliber

Other / Not Listed

City

Stayton

State

Oregon

Inherited my grandpa's 38 sw and need some ammo. Not the 38 special. It's a 38 sw. Willing to travel. Thank you.

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[drstrangelove]

PM @alelord

 

[Uncle Bigdog]

I know back in the day my old man had one and he was able to cut down some 38 special shells to the right length as they share a diameter and then just hand loaded a batch. Don't know if you reload but if you do it might be an option. Hope it helps. Those are kinda cool little guns.

 

[drstrangelove]

I know back in the day my old man had one and he was able to cut down some 38 special shells to the right length as they share a diameter and then just hand loaded a batch. Don't know if you reload but if you do it might be an option. Hope it helps. Those are kinda cool little guns.

The 38SW brass has a wider diameter than 38SPL; any attempt to cut down a 38SPL brass and load into the 38SW could result in case rupture and bad outcomes. I would not recommend fire forming in an old 38SW.

 

[oremike]

I make 38 S&W, I have a Webley 38/200 that I use as a test fixture. you are correct that the 38 S&W is different than the 38 Special. The ammo I make uses the correct .361 bullets.

 

[Uncle Bigdog]

I could be mistaken. I wasn't there when it happened and could be remembering the base cartridge wrong.

 

[oremike]

I could be mistaken. I wasn't there when it happened and could be remembering the base cartridge wrong.

It's possible but not recomended, both the 38 S&W and 38 Special have the same rim dia, but the 38 S&W has a bigger body .386 vs. .379 and uses a .361 bullet all though some do load the .358 lead bullets. I've found the right sizes bullets to work best.

 

[Pepe-lepew]

It is wise to check the cylinder to see if it was reamed for 38 special. Some were reamed and some the cylinders were changed to 38 special cylinders. I have a Victory that had the cylinder changed. Still shoots ok even though the barrel is too large.

 

[Member 18201]

Inherited my grandpa's 38 sw and need some ammo. Not the 38 special. It's a 38 sw. Willing to travel. Thank you.

If you are in Central Oregon, Lost Creek Armory has factory PPU 38 S&W ammo.