S&W Model 3 / 38-44 / Reloading Article

[rbertalotto]

I just wrote a whole article on my web site about loading for the S&W 38-44 Target Model 3.

Great fun doing it.

Hope it's helpful

www.rvbprecision.com

Thanks!

[Blair]

Roy,

Nice write up!

I use a 158 gr, full wad cutter in .358 dia. in My .38-44 S&W Target.
I seat the bullet flush with the mouth of the case with just a slight crimp.
This way, when fired, the bullet has full contact with the rifling in the bore, before the base of the bullet leaved the mouth of the casing. Very accurate!
My best,
Blair 

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

I believe SASS requires the bullet to be visible ahead of the case mouth. I have seated FWC bullets to the top lube groove with excellent results.

[rbertalotto]

Thanks Blair, When I first shot the revolver I used DBWC in 357 mag cases and it worked great.

For SASS I might have to revert back to that so that the bullet is showing.

Thanks for the suggestions.

[Blair]

Roy,

I have tried,
.38 Special with RN  RNFP, SWC and WC...
.357 Mag with the same bullet types, all with BP and the gun shoots all of these very well!
These guns just shoot all .357 dia. bullet very well.

I believe the Neal & Jinks Book on S&W that said the full WC was the preferred bullet for best accuracy in the .38-44.
Barns book Cartridges of the World seems to suggest the same, and for the reasons I stated in my earlier message.
With the OAL of the .38-44 case, NO part of the bullet can be forward of the case mouth. The bullet must be flush or below the case mouth. The gun will not function otherwise!
Shorter cases like .38 Special or .357 Mag. one may have bullet forward of the case mouth.

I have hear something about SASS not allowing full WC flush mounted with the case mouth. But, I don't know the reasoning behind this choice.
My best,
Blair

[rbertalotto]

Thanks Blair, these are my findings also

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

From the SASS Handbook, page 12;

"Ammunition with bullets recessed below the case mouth is disallowed."

I recall from the RO 1 course that I took a couple of years ago, that the practical means of judging this is to look across the case mouth and look for any sign of the bullet.