Load infor for .38sw Iver Johnson pocket pistol

Clamper Ramrod · February 7, 2009, 02:38 PM

Just picked up the Iver Johnson .38sw breaktop in fine condition and want to load bp loads.
Currently using SASS minimums in my .38 rugers and 1873 for competition.
I plan on using a 95g rn pill over what charge. I don't want to shake the frame to pieces as it's just a pocket pistol.

Thanks for the info in advance

darkgael · February 7, 2009, 05:46 PM

While the .38 S&W was never factory loaded with BP, it seems that a fair number of people want to give BP loads a go. You'd be hard pressed to get enough BP into the .38 S&W case to cause a problem with pressure.
I put enough BP (fffg) into the case so that it compresses very slightly when the bullet is seated. I used a 142 grain LSWC cast from a CBE mold. I usually put a veg. fiber wad between the powder and the bullet. This is a very mild load. For an even milder load use ffg granulation.
I gave it up after shooting a box full. The cartridge is low-powered enough even with smokeless loads.
Remember - the .38 S&W has a larger nominal dia. than the .38 Spl (,361 vs. .357) . My experience is that heavier bullets are more accurate.
The .38 S&W is tad larger (2 grs. of water) than the old 41 Short Colt. The .41 was a BP cartridge and was loaded with 14 grains of powder - don't know the granulation. The point, though, is that you can expect to get about that much or a bit more - 15 grains - of BP into the case. A very mild load.
Pete

fastforty · February 14, 2009, 12:15 AM

My dad used to have one of those. It got traded for something a looong time ago, but I still have the original case that it came in (black hinged box, lined inside with depression for pistol to fit in- a little scuffed as I remember, but original). We're at least in the same state, drop me a PM & I'll get the box to you, if you want it.

edit: Wow, checked your profile & we're probably closer than I thought. I'm close to Tipton, off of Hwy 99.

mec · February 14, 2009, 03:34 PM

The 38 S&W was introduced in 1877 for a Smith and Wesson break top revolver It was loaded with a 150 grain bullet over black powder. The charge would have allowed seating the bullet with little or any compression but would have filled the case to the bottom of the bullet. The smokeless standard loads generate an industry standard pressure of 13000 psi. Loaded with a flat point bullet, it was called the colt New Police and for the english service, it was loaded with a 200 grain bullet and called 38/200 or 380 revolver cartridge. Standard velocity per WHB Smith's Book of Pistols and Revolvers was 695 fps with the 150 grain bullet

This is an H&R hamerless with design variations from 1895-1909. The paricular example has a .025" B/C gap and gets only 540+fps with the factory load.

February 7, 2009, 02:38 PM	#1
Clamper Ramrod Junior Member Join Date: February 7, 2009 Location: Earthquake Country, California Posts: 7	Load infor for .38sw Iver Johnson pocket pistol Just picked up the Iver Johnson .38sw breaktop in fine condition and want to load bp loads. Currently using SASS minimums in my .38 rugers and 1873 for competition. I plan on using a 95g rn pill over what charge. I don't want to shake the frame to pieces as it's just a pocket pistol. Thanks for the info in advance

February 7, 2009, 05:46 PM	#2
darkgael Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2006 Location: Homes in Brooklyn, NY and in Pennsylvania. Posts: 5,473	.38 S&W While the .38 S&W was never factory loaded with BP, it seems that a fair number of people want to give BP loads a go. You'd be hard pressed to get enough BP into the .38 S&W case to cause a problem with pressure. I put enough BP (fffg) into the case so that it compresses very slightly when the bullet is seated. I used a 142 grain LSWC cast from a CBE mold. I usually put a veg. fiber wad between the powder and the bullet. This is a very mild load. For an even milder load use ffg granulation. I gave it up after shooting a box full. The cartridge is low-powered enough even with smokeless loads. Remember - the .38 S&W has a larger nominal dia. than the .38 Spl (,361 vs. .357) . My experience is that heavier bullets are more accurate. The .38 S&W is tad larger (2 grs. of water) than the old 41 Short Colt. The .41 was a BP cartridge and was loaded with 14 grains of powder - don't know the granulation. The point, though, is that you can expect to get about that much or a bit more - 15 grains - of BP into the case. A very mild load. Pete __________________ “Auto racing, bull fighting, and mountain climbing are the only real sports ... all others are games.” Ernest Hemingway ... NRA Life Member Last edited by darkgael; February 8, 2009 at 06:45 AM.

February 14, 2009, 12:15 AM	#3
fastforty Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 1999 Location: In a kornfield in kalifornia Posts: 1,161	My dad used to have one of those. It got traded for something a looong time ago, but I still have the original case that it came in (black hinged box, lined inside with depression for pistol to fit in- a little scuffed as I remember, but original). We're at least in the same state, drop me a PM & I'll get the box to you, if you want it. edit: Wow, checked your profile & we're probably closer than I thought. I'm close to Tipton, off of Hwy 99. __________________ When Banjos are outlawed, only Outlaws will have Banjos The Bible is my lawbook. I turn the other cheek when applicable, and spend the rest of my days resisting evil at every front, until I have breathed my last breath. Last edited by fastforty; February 14, 2009 at 12:20 AM. Reason: info

February 14, 2009, 03:34 PM	#4
mec Junior member Join Date: December 6, 2001 Posts: 1,536	The 38 S&W was introduced in 1877 for a Smith and Wesson break top revolver It was loaded with a 150 grain bullet over black powder. The charge would have allowed seating the bullet with little or any compression but would have filled the case to the bottom of the bullet. The smokeless standard loads generate an industry standard pressure of 13000 psi. Loaded with a flat point bullet, it was called the colt New Police and for the english service, it was loaded with a 200 grain bullet and called 38/200 or 380 revolver cartridge. Standard velocity per WHB Smith's Book of Pistols and Revolvers was 695 fps with the 150 grain bullet This is an H&R hamerless with design variations from 1895-1909. The paricular example has a .025" B/C gap and gets only 540+fps with the factory load. Last edited by mec; August 28, 2010 at 09:21 PM.