.38 special Bullets,Brass,Powder.

[Captain William Call]

Hello,
My wife and I are new to this and I have a Uberti 1873 in .357 and two USFA's in 38 special on order.
While I am waiting I am trying to get the Dillon fired up and start loading some ammo and I would like to use the same load in the rifle and the pistols.
So I am looking suggestions on loads and suppliers.

Thank you,
Captain William Call

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

I notice a strong opinion that you shouldn't run the Uberti 1873 on magnum pressure ammo.  As feeding length is important on the '73, there are two options; 1.  Use .357 brass loaded at "special" pressure, or  2.  Use .38 Spl brass with Dastardly Dicks .38 Big Lube SNAKEBITE bullet, with the long nose, to regain length.  They are available pre-cast from Springfield Slim.

http://www.biglube.com/BulletMolds.aspx?ItemID=ee788c75-7068-4a70-a6f0-6d4ee38b0030

[August]

Both of my Uberti '73s in 357/38 run fine with factory length .38 special cartridges.

Here are my suggestions for components.

Brass -- Winchester if you can get it, or find it.  W/W chamfers the rim of the case -- which no other manufacturer does -- and that results in a more harmonious relationship between the extractor claw and the cartridge.  I believe only Winchester understands that the 38 special might be run in a rifle and that other case manufacturers think it is a revolver round exclusively.

Bullets -- Try some 125 grain Moly Coated Bear Creek bullets.  You'll need a LFCD to make this work as they have no crimp groove.  Or, Chey Cast makes a great 125 grain bullet with ample lube and a crimp groove for a more conventional approach.

Powder -- Titegroup.  Goes bang the same way every time, hot, cold, up, down.  Start with the Hodgedon's Cowboy starting load of 3.2 grains.  Most of us have never moved on from there -- it works so well.

Primers -- Federal if you can find 'em.

Anywho, that should get you started.

[Modoc]

Capt.   Sierra Packer and I are running the Laser Cast 125gr. Flat point (Truncated Cone) pushed by 4.0gr of Unique and a Winchester Small Pistol Primer  in our 38's.  I did try Brandon Iron's 38's where he is using a 140gr Flat Point pushed by 3.5gr of Red Dot.  It seemed to be a bit milder load than ours.  You might also look at Desparado Bullets out of Bend Or.

For Brass, I am using Heinz 57, but really prefer the Winchester or Starline.

Will we be seeing the two of you at Hat Creek on the 10th?  I can throw in an extra couple of pistols if you want.

Modoc

[Captain William Call]

Thanks for the input.
I get to pick up the 73 Friday and I am impatiently waiting on the USFA's.

Modoc, Thanks for the offer, we dont know if we can make it yet.

Captain William Call