HP-38 for .38 Uberti revolver and Rossi rifle.

nagantino · January 25, 2015, 12:27:17 PM

A Burns Day greeting to ye all. I'm collecting 2 Uberti Cattleman revolvers and a Rossi 92 this week. All 3 guns are .357/.38. I need to start reloading for the weekend and future CAS. I don't have .357 brass and want to stick to .38 Special for all 3 guns and was hoping to find 1 load for both revolver and rifle. I have HP-38 and 1000 LRNFP ready to go but am stumped after reading all day on a powder/AOL combination. I know CAS revolver just needs to hit the steel but how low can I go with the Rossi rifle?

nagantino · January 25, 2015, 12:41:27 PM

OK I've just read the above message from the Marshal and understand that any reply to my query is for ME to deseminate and act on if I choose to. I reload for 9mm, .45ACP, .303, 308.

Charlie Bowdre · January 25, 2015, 12:47:08 PM

cant help you with the powder load but just a comment on the Rossi, check how she will handle the 38 brass. I have helped several pards with Rossi rifles that had a heck of a time cycling 38 brass. Worked fine with the .357.
Not saying they all are finickier but some are.
Enjoy and have fun .

dutchie

nagantino · January 25, 2015, 02:08:01 PM

Duchy I appreciate that. The thing is, in all my reading, I've read the opposite, that .357 are a problem. I don't know. I think I will find out soon.

Charlie Bowdre · January 25, 2015, 02:13:54 PM

yep see what works for you I just finished up a session with a fellow CAS shooter and had to go with the 357 but whatever you find . I was just passing along before you did up a thousand of the wrong brass . The experimentation is one of the joys of reloading

dutchie

Sleepy Floyd · January 25, 2015, 05:34:59 PM

My wife shoots 38spl in her Ruger NMV and 1873 carbine. No issues with either one. I use the loads listed on the Hogdon data for HP38 and an OAL of 1.462. No issues

wildman1 · January 25, 2015, 06:32:55 PM

The 92's can give some problems with 38 spl. Go to Marauders site and find the directions for slicking a 92. It will make all the difference in the world. wM1

Jerryg22 · March 13, 2015, 03:10:19 PM

OAL for .38 spl in 92 should be 1.50-1.51.

Montana Slim · April 04, 2015, 10:42:51 AM

My Rossi 16" carbine has been relegated to shooting barnyard pests these days (and quite a tool for this purpose, btw), but for its former CAS/WAS role, it simply loved .38 special loads using the 147gr bullet (intended for the 9mm cartridge). I seat this bullet to OAL of 1.535". It has no crimp groove, which is a plus in my mind. I can load it to a wide range of lengths with no problems. I set the crimp firmly and it wedges snuggly into the bullet. Still my choice for a plinking round....good training rifle for youngsters & my wife likes the lil' gun, too. With light loads, the recoil is not a big deal in revolvers & will always take down the Texas star, too.

My Rossi will feed shorter rounds, but not as smoothly....and it's never flipped a live round out when cycling fast/hard with the 147gr, either.

Ifn' you want a lighter bullet for your pistols, you would not be alone if you used a different bullet/load specificaally for the pistol. Lots of folks in my area do this, and it's no troupble discerning the rounds when the bullet is vastly different. Many I see at the weekly matches do this. If you wish to shoot a light bullet (125 gr or less) & same load in all your guns, I'd recommend using .357 magnum brass. Trade-off either way.

Regards,
Slim

Blackfoot · April 04, 2015, 06:10:31 PM

From the powder charge standpoint, a load that you use for your pistol should be fine in your rifle. Most all CAS shooters use one load for both. From a length standpoint, you just have to see if your rifle will work with it. By the way, you didn't say what bullet weight you are using, it might be helpful to know.

Blackfoot