Silver colored 38 casings

shafter · May 6, 2010, 01:15 PM

I've got some 38 special casings that are a silver color. I know it isn't aluminum and I think it might be some kind of coating on the brass, nickel maybe? Anyway I was wondering if they can be reloaded the same as any other 38 casings.

What loads do you guys use for your 38's? I'd like to use some of my Unique and 158gr lead. Any ideas?

Lavid2002 · May 6, 2010, 01:17 PM

Can't recommend loads, but your right. Those casings are nickel plated. Treat them the same as brass casings : )

oneounceload · May 6, 2010, 01:39 PM

If you go to the proper sites, you will find the data for Unique and 158 SWC. I used to use Unique, now liking Universal Clays - very similar in load data

Magnum Wheel Man · May 6, 2010, 02:54 PM

word of caution... don't tumble ( or only tumble occasionall or lightly ) or the cases get pretty ugly as the nickel get thin & irregular... I usually just wash & dry my nickel cases

**Mike Irwin** · May 6, 2010, 03:05 PM

Well, those cases COULD be aluminum, and therefore shouldn't be reloaded.

What are the headstamps on the cases?

There's only one common manufacturer of aluminum cases, CCI Blazer.

CowTowner · May 6, 2010, 03:11 PM

See this recent thread for your loading data:
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=408683

shafter · May 6, 2010, 04:04 PM

Thanks. I guess their nickel. It's a mixed bunch but I'm 100% sure their not blazer

Scorch · May 6, 2010, 04:24 PM

I love Unique in all my handguns. I load a 158 gr cast LSWC over 6.0 gr of Unique, a very shootable load, about 1000 fps. Under a 158 gr jacketed SWC, you can load up to about 8 gr, check your loading manual.

Uncle Buck · May 6, 2010, 06:14 PM

I use the same recipe that scorch does in mine .38 Specials. Nice manageable recoil.

WESHOOT2 · May 8, 2010, 03:09 PM

4.6g Unique / 158g lead.

B.L.E. · May 8, 2010, 03:28 PM

Don't those CCI Blazer cases use Berdan primers anyway, making them, for all practical purposes, unreloadable?

May 6, 2010, 01:15 PM	#1
shafter Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2009 Posts: 1,624	Silver colored 38 casings I've got some 38 special casings that are a silver color. I know it isn't aluminum and I think it might be some kind of coating on the brass, nickel maybe? Anyway I was wondering if they can be reloaded the same as any other 38 casings. What loads do you guys use for your 38's? I'd like to use some of my Unique and 158gr lead. Any ideas?

May 6, 2010, 01:17 PM	#2
Lavid2002 Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2007 Posts: 2,568	Can't recommend loads, but your right. Those casings are nickel plated. Treat them the same as brass casings : ) __________________ Math>Grammar

May 6, 2010, 02:54 PM	#4
Magnum Wheel Man Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2006 Location: Southern Minnesota Posts: 9,333	word of caution... don't tumble ( or only tumble occasionall or lightly ) or the cases get pretty ugly as the nickel get thin & irregular... I usually just wash & dry my nickel cases __________________ In life you either make dust or eat dust...

May 6, 2010, 03:05 PM	#5
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	Well, those cases COULD be aluminum, and therefore shouldn't be reloaded. What are the headstamps on the cases? There's only one common manufacturer of aluminum cases, CCI Blazer. __________________ "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.

May 6, 2010, 03:11 PM	#6
CowTowner Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2007 Location: Cowtown of course! Posts: 1,747	Loading Data Sites See this recent thread for your loading data: http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=408683 __________________ NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, Home Firearms Safety, Pistol and Rifle Instructor *“Today, we need a nation of Minutemen, citizens who are not only prepared to take arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as the basic purpose of their daily life......”* President John F. Kennedy

May 6, 2010, 01:39 PM	#3
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	If you go to the proper sites, you will find the data for Unique and 158 SWC. I used to use Unique, now liking Universal Clays - very similar in load data

May 6, 2010, 04:04 PM	#7
shafter Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2009 Posts: 1,624	Thanks. I guess their nickel. It's a mixed bunch but I'm 100% sure their not blazer

May 6, 2010, 04:24 PM	#8
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	I love Unique in all my handguns. I load a 158 gr cast LSWC over 6.0 gr of Unique, a very shootable load, about 1000 fps. Under a 158 gr jacketed SWC, you can load up to about 8 gr, check your loading manual. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

May 6, 2010, 06:14 PM	#9
Uncle Buck Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2009 Location: West Central Missouri Posts: 2,592	I use the same recipe that scorch does in mine .38 Specials. Nice manageable recoil. __________________ Inside Every Bright Idea Is The 50% Probability Of A Disaster Waiting To Happen.

May 8, 2010, 03:09 PM	#10
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	4.6g Unique / 158g lead. __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

May 8, 2010, 03:28 PM	#11
B.L.E. Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2008 Location: Somewhere on the Southern shore of Lake Travis, TX Posts: 2,603	Don't those CCI Blazer cases use Berdan primers anyway, making them, for all practical purposes, unreloadable?