38 Long Colt/38 S&W gamer loads

[cal44walker]

Still fooling around with gamer loads here. Do many people use the 38 Long Colt or the 38 S&W? I have a bunch of brass in both calibers and am working up gamer loads. I traced the inconsistant ignition of my reduced load 38 Special rounds to powder contamination from my Crisco/SPG lube as swopping to Lee Alox removed all problems. I still run a power factor of about 80 to 100 and want to get down further without going too far under the minimum recommended load data. I can reduce the powder loads and velocity alot with the 38 S&W and I've loaded this round before so I have some data. Any rules in CAS against using the 38 S&W?

cal44walker

[tommy4toes]

I'm curious about the 38 Long Colt as used in Colt lightning pistols. Curious to see what you have come up with for gamer loads. Also, I understand 38 Long Colt will work in a 38 special revolver, but will it work in a lever action rifle, say, a 66 carbine?

T4t

[pony express]

The .38S&W case is slightly bigger diameter than the .38sp, or.38 long or short colt. It may fit in some chambers, depending on manufacturing tolerances of gun and brass, but not all. Won't fit in any of my .38's except for the 1892 Colt, it's dimensions are loose enough.

If they will fit-I think there's loads listed in my manuals as slow as 500fps, don't have any loads for .38SC, but I assume they would be similar.

[Johnson Barr]

.38 S&W cartridge dates back to 1876 and the Smith & Wesson 1st Model (Baby Russian) 38 Single Action top break revolvers. Case and bullet diameter are larger than the .38 Long Colt or the .38 S&W Special. Nominal .38 S&W bullet diameter measures .363". With typical 145-150 gr. lead bullets, current factory .38 S&W loads exceed .380 ACP ballistics. Hardly a gamer load.  If you are looking for reduced powder charged rounds to shoot in your .38 LC or .38 Special chambered pistol, try using .38 Short Colt brass and light .357 diameter bullets.

[Colt Fanning]

Howdy,
I use modified 38 special brass in a mod 1877 lightning.  The rim must be thinned from the front side or negative head space will result.  the brass must also be shortened and a heeled .363 in or a conical base .357 in. bullet must be used to achieve good accuracy.  I would suggest black powder loaded as low as desired for the gamer load.  These guns have such thin cylinders that I would be afraid to shoot any amount of smokless in them.  A friend has a lightning specimen that was blown up by a factory .38 special cartridge.
regards
Colt

[Colt Fanning]

Howdy,
A correction of my previous post is needed.  The correct dia. of the heeled bullet would be .374 to .375 in. rather than .363 in as stated.
Sorry for the confusion
Colt