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12 Posts
Okay, so I'm not knew to reloading but am entirely new to this cartridge. Please help clear up a few questions I have, as I desperately want to buy a 38 super but, frankly, find the caliber a little esoteric.
1. What the heck is the real bullet diameter for the .38 Super? I see all kinds of load data for .355 9mm bullets, but then I some bulletmakers offering .356 plated bullets - what gives?
If the barrel is actually .356, how in the world do you get any accuracy out off .355 bullets? I'll admit right now that these are the only HP's I'll be able to come by locally, so their accuracy is very important.
Also, some posters have mentioned using .357 bullets - but how do you get these revolver bullets to feed, since most have lotsa lead exposed?
2. How hot can I load it? The pistol in question is a BEAUTIFUL new Govt. Bright Stainless .38 Super Colt auto (which I don't own yet). Does this gun have a "fully supported chamber" as the really hot loads require? If not, how hot can I go in +P cases?
3. How accurate is this cartridge in such a vehicle? I want to use the gun for hunting and self-defense, and frankly I was hoping for just-under-.357 Mag. ballistics out of it for those purposes (Man, I'm really trying hard to justify this purchase!). Is this quest a bad idea? I can't really afford a custom 9x23 set-up, and .357 Sig looks like too much of a pain to reload, so I'm stuck with the stock .38 Super or nothing.
Sorry for the long post. I've searched various places for these answers, but been unsuccessful.
Thanks in advance!
1. What the heck is the real bullet diameter for the .38 Super? I see all kinds of load data for .355 9mm bullets, but then I some bulletmakers offering .356 plated bullets - what gives?
If the barrel is actually .356, how in the world do you get any accuracy out off .355 bullets? I'll admit right now that these are the only HP's I'll be able to come by locally, so their accuracy is very important.
Also, some posters have mentioned using .357 bullets - but how do you get these revolver bullets to feed, since most have lotsa lead exposed?
2. How hot can I load it? The pistol in question is a BEAUTIFUL new Govt. Bright Stainless .38 Super Colt auto (which I don't own yet). Does this gun have a "fully supported chamber" as the really hot loads require? If not, how hot can I go in +P cases?
3. How accurate is this cartridge in such a vehicle? I want to use the gun for hunting and self-defense, and frankly I was hoping for just-under-.357 Mag. ballistics out of it for those purposes (Man, I'm really trying hard to justify this purchase!). Is this quest a bad idea? I can't really afford a custom 9x23 set-up, and .357 Sig looks like too much of a pain to reload, so I'm stuck with the stock .38 Super or nothing.
Sorry for the long post. I've searched various places for these answers, but been unsuccessful.
Thanks in advance!