.38 Short Colt

azphx55 · September 24, 2010, 09:21 PM

I have about 100 Magtech .38 Short Colt cases (headstamped "CBC 38 SPL C") from a few years ago when somebody was trying to sell my wife a .38 special and was showing her how light the recoil is.

I've loaded everything else in the house, and these are starting to interest me.

The cases are identical to .38spl, but chopped down to 0.75 inch.

I find that I can decap/resize/prime them with my 38spl dies, and can expand and seat a bullet (Berry's 125 FP) with my 9mm dies, but I can't find any definitive load data. From what little information I have found, 2.0 gr of Bullseye seems like a good starting load, but I'd feel better about it if somebody could tell me what they've actually used.

I've also got Titegroup and Unique, if that helps, and plan to look for 231 this weekend.

I'll be using a Ruger .357 with 6.5 in barrel, so I'm expecting the worst case to be that I have to pound a bullet out of my barrel.

This is just for fun, not competition.

Thanks

TXGunNut · September 25, 2010, 12:08 PM

Haven't tried it but my Lyman manual's 38 S&W loads indicate you're on the right track. 3.0-3.5grs Unique could work but don't be surprised if it's dirty.

azphx55 · September 25, 2010, 10:55 PM

Well, that was fun!

I loaded half a dozen with 2.0 of Bullseye and took them to the range today.
I fired 4 of them myself, and then loaded a cylinder with three .38spl followed by two .357, and then one of these, and turned the lane over to my wife.

In contrast to the .357's that little "poot" was so anemic she laughed out loud and had me repeat the demonstration for a friend.

Quantrill · September 26, 2010, 12:34 PM

In a 1937 reloading book, (Complete Guide to Handloading) by Phil Sharpe, the .38 Short colt is listed with 2.5gr. of Bullseye with a 130gr. lead bullet. 14gr of black powder with the same bullet is listed as a factory load. The black powder factory load has a velocity of 765 and the bullseye load has 745fps. Thought you might be interested.

azphx55 · September 26, 2010, 01:55 PM

Thanks. It's nice to have some real data. I'll have to build up my library.

**Mike Irwin** · September 26, 2010, 04:59 PM

Just remember that that loading data comes from a source that is pushing 75 years old and you should never use data that old at face value.

In a modern gun in .38 Special or .357 Mag. probably not that big a deal, but not in an old Colt.

September 24, 2010, 09:21 PM	#1
azphx55 Member Join Date: September 7, 2010 Posts: 85	.38 Short Colt I have about 100 Magtech .38 Short Colt cases (headstamped "CBC 38 SPL C") from a few years ago when somebody was trying to sell my wife a .38 special and was showing her how light the recoil is. I've loaded everything else in the house, and these are starting to interest me. The cases are identical to .38spl, but chopped down to 0.75 inch. I find that I can decap/resize/prime them with my 38spl dies, and can expand and seat a bullet (Berry's 125 FP) with my 9mm dies, but I can't find any definitive load data. From what little information I have found, 2.0 gr of Bullseye seems like a good starting load, but I'd feel better about it if somebody could tell me what they've actually used. I've also got Titegroup and Unique, if that helps, and plan to look for 231 this weekend. I'll be using a Ruger .357 with 6.5 in barrel, so I'm expecting the worst case to be that I have to pound a bullet out of my barrel. This is just for fun, not competition. Thanks

September 26, 2010, 04:59 PM	#6
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 14, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,642	Just remember that that loading data comes from a source that is pushing 75 years old and you should never use data that old at face value. In a modern gun in .38 Special or .357 Mag. probably not that big a deal, but not in an old Colt. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

September 25, 2010, 12:08 PM	#2
TXGunNut Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: If you have to ask... Posts: 2,860	Haven't tried it but my Lyman manual's 38 S&W loads indicate you're on the right track. 3.0-3.5grs Unique could work but don't be surprised if it's dirty.

September 25, 2010, 10:55 PM	#3
azphx55 Member Join Date: September 7, 2010 Posts: 85	Well, that was fun! I loaded half a dozen with 2.0 of Bullseye and took them to the range today. I fired 4 of them myself, and then loaded a cylinder with three .38spl followed by two .357, and then one of these, and turned the lane over to my wife. In contrast to the .357's that little "poot" was so anemic she laughed out loud and had me repeat the demonstration for a friend.

September 26, 2010, 12:34 PM	#4
Quantrill Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 1999 Location: Arizona, USA Posts: 725	In a 1937 reloading book, (Complete Guide to Handloading) by Phil Sharpe, the .38 Short colt is listed with 2.5gr. of Bullseye with a 130gr. lead bullet. 14gr of black powder with the same bullet is listed as a factory load. The black powder factory load has a velocity of 765 and the bullseye load has 745fps. Thought you might be interested.

September 26, 2010, 01:55 PM	#5
azphx55 Member Join Date: September 7, 2010 Posts: 85	Thanks. It's nice to have some real data. I'll have to build up my library.