1901 Colt DA

[Robert Swartz]

......just acquired a 1901 Colt DA .38.......I know these are chambered for .38 long colt.  I roughly measured my SAA, which is .38 spl/.357, the bore is .356. The Colt DA measures .367. Which by the book appears to be within spec. Now the question before I try or do something stupid. The .38 spl rounds I use in my SAA fit the shorter DA cylinder and do not protrude. No, I have no intention of shooting those. My question, can I shoot a .38spl case with a shorter bullet and a load of 2-2.5 gr of Trailboss? I do know a couple guys in our NCOWS group cut .38 spl brass down to long colt length. Just looking for input from those that have experience with these guns.

[Reverend P. Babcock Chase]

Howdy,

I've had pretty good luck with hollow base wadcutters in an 1851 conversion. I have to load in .38 S&W. I started low and had to add powder until the base expanded to fill the bore. Then the loads came in really well. I won't provide any data as it probably won't apply to your situation. Use a reloading handbook and creep up to get the accuracy you need.

Rev. Chase

[DeaconKC]

+1 on the Rev's suggestion on using .38 S&W brass. you can use a bullet closer to your bore size.

[Robert Swartz]

......thanks. We had a gab session this afternoon as we were prepping for Saturdays GAF shoot (which due to a commitment at an 1812 reenactment I won't get to shoot). A buddy has some of the hollow base wad cutters that I'm going to obtain. He was going to use them for another project but decided to go a different route. Another buddy uses the .38 lc  heeled bullets in a BP percussion pistol. I will get that information from him. I hadn't thought of using the .38 S&W brass? I will look into that.