Handloading Forehand & Wadsworth Nr. 38

[blackpowder]

Hi All Around !

I recently acquired a nice mechanically sound Forehand & Wadsworth Nr. 38 Double Action Revolver. Are there any readily available modern cartridges one could resize and load with smokeless powder for this particular revolver? Any suggestions?

any help is greatly appreciated,

Blackpowder

[Abilene]

Do you know what caliber it is chambered for?  Brief Google search showed one in .38 S&W and another in .38 rimfire with heeled bullet.

[blackpowder]

looking at the hammer, it's for a centerfire cartridge. therefore, .38 S&W and probably with heeled bullets - serial number shows manufacturing date around 1880.

[Drydock]

This is probably a straight .38 S&W chambering.  Easy Peasy.  By the late 1870s almost all these small top breaks were chambering the S&W round.  A black powder lubed 140-160 grain .358-.361 bullet over a full case of 3f black powder is a fine load.  Would NOT use smokeless in this style and vintage revolver.

[Coffinmaker]

PLUS ONE for Drydock 

38 S&W cases are available as are some suitable Heel Base bullets.

I would also re-iterate:  NO SMOKELESS powder.  The guns were originally manufactured for Black Powder and in no way should smokeless be used.  Pressure spikes are entirely different with smokeless.  BP ONLY!!

Be Safe Out There

[Drydock]

Doubt he needs heel bullets.  This should be a standard .38 S&W chamber.

[Johnson Barr]

Original .38 S&W cartridges appeared in 1876 specifically for the Smith & Wesson No.2 frame 38 Single Action revolver. Sometimes this first variant is now referred to as the 'Baby Russian'.  The first loadings were with blackpowder topped by a 145gr. inside lubed .363 diameter round nose bullet.  *.363 bullets are available from Matt's Bullets on request.  *Starline makes .38 S&W brass and occasionally nickel plated cases. I prefer the nickel for easier clean up.  *Lee Precision sells the correct die set for reloading.  Using the .363 bullets tightens group tremendously. Attached is a pic of my 6" New Departure and results at 12 yards.

[Drydock]

Yeah, I've got a pair of nickle #2 2nd model S&W single actions,  great fun with BP loads.  Took a charging armadillo with one.

Lee makes the correct mold too, though only in occasional runs  https://www.wholesalehunter.com/Product/Details/11231559

[Johnson Barr]

Here's a pair of SA 2's with main match rig.