.38 S&W Bullet

[warbucks16]

Can anyone tell me what size (weight&diameter) bullet should be used in reloading the .38 S&W Cartridge?

In addition should it be a hollow base.

Thanks for any info.

Warbucks16

[Shotgun Franklin]

Kinda depends on the gun. My Victory Model S&W had a .38 spl barrel, I easily converted to .38 spl.
My IJ breaktop had a larger bore, don't remember for sure, so I just used an unsized 140 gr lead SWC .38 bullet. It shot great.

[Goatlips]

Warbucks,

I just use my usual .38 Snakebite Greasewagon boolit in a .38 S&W case full of Black Powder.  Works fine in my S&W breaktop, not so good in my Owl Heads, but I just use 'em a couple times a year for side matches.  Like Shotgun says, probably depends on the gun. 

Goatlips

[Professor Marvel]

Greetings Warbucks -
Due to the vast number and manufacturing v ariotions of revolver barrels, you might do well to slug your barrel and see what bullet *it* likes . :-)

However, if you have a revovler which actually states ".38 S&W ctg" on the barrel, the original loading was a .361 diameter lead bullet with a flat or slightly dished base. Several weights were comercially offered, 145 gr, 158 grain, 195 grain, and the 200 gr british loading (often called .380 or .38/200)  these were usually round nose or a somewhat flat point.

hope this helps
yhs
Prof Marvel

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

The RCBS 38-140-CM works like it was made for the .38 S&W.  My Lubrisizer die has been run out to .360