38 S&W Load Data

[Tascosa Joe]

Does anyone have a receipe for .38 S&W for the breaktop pistols.  Everything I see in reloading manuels even going back to my 1970 Lyman book, says for solid frame only.

Thanks,
T-Joe

[St. George]

There are a number of posts in this forum on this particular thread.

Take a deeper look at the 'back pages' and you should find what you need.

Good Luck!

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Hell-Er High Water]

For my 38 S&W top break revolvers, I load a 100 gr or a 105 gr lead bullet over 2.0 gr of Bullseye powder.  I have shot this load in several different top break revolvers in CAS pocket pistol side matches and also when our regular matches call for a pocket pistol during the match.

In checking back in my reloading records, I have loaded over 1000 of the above rounds and have been shooting them since 2002 with no problems.  At pocket pistol ranges they are both accurate and a pleasant load to shoot.

HHW

[Montana Slim]

I Find the 100 grain bullets adequate as a "go-bang" load that is ok for 10 yd shooting....but them itty-bullets don't fly true at longer ranges. I really like 125 grain bullets as a minimum. As far as load data, BP is my preference (.7cc of 3F), but find a charge of 1.8 -2.0 grains of most fast-burning smokeless propellants (I use 700X & Win231) will work with most bullets in the range of 100 - 150 grains. Simply find one you like. Of course, check propellant manufacturer's data before rolling yours.

Find the right load & you'll be surprised at the range and accuracy possible from these small revolvers.

Slim

[Capt'n Jack]

I think you will find that the caution about top breaks relates to the many really cheap revolvers (the original Saturday Night specials) made at the turn of the last century and the fact that many were made for black powder filled rounds.  With a quality made top break known to be made after the introduction of smokeless powder and in good mechanical condition I would feel comfortable using the lower end of those restricted loads.  However, these are all judgments you will have to make.  I do not blame the editors of the reloading manuals for the cautions listed, with the population today ready to sue for the slightest reason.

[Tascosa Joe]

Thanks to all for the replies.  Both my pistols S&W but are pre 1889. One is a spur trigger which I think is refered to as a Baby Russian, the other is a lemon squeezer.

[Capt'n Jack]

Working from memory (always lacking) and noting that different makers switched at different dates, I would not use smokeless in these guns.  The switch over date is in the early 1900s for most.  Use BP or a BP substitute.

[litl rooster]

Black Powder