Reloading for a Colt 1911 38 Super

[iam1964]

Hi Guys,

I just inherited a Colt 38 Super from my late Father-in-Law. Its an old one dating back to 1948.

I would like to handload for it and at the moment I only have 130gr bullets that I pulled from a pile of reloads that my buddy gave me and the powder I have is Ramshot Silhouette.

My problem is that I cannot find and load data for this combination. I have tried Hodgdon website and I have Hornady, Speer and Sierra's loading manuals.

The nearest I can find is from Western's load data is shown below..



There is data for a 124gr and 147gr but no 130gr. I am pretty new to handloading so is it absurd to use a powder weight that is somewhere in between the two..... something like 6.8 grains?

What do y'all do when you cannot find a load?

Should I just scrap the bullets and get some that have a listed load?

Thanks

 

[LCazador]

Hi Guys,

I just inherited a Colt 38 Super from my late Father-in-Law. Its an old one dating back to 1948.

I would like to handload for it and at the moment I only have 130gr bullets that I pulled from a pile of reloads that my buddy gave me and the powder I have is Ramshot Silhouette.

My problem is that I cannot find and load data for this combination. I have tried Hodgdon website and I have Hornady, Speer and Sierra's loading manuals.

The nearest I can find is from Western's load data is shown below..

View attachment 1330095

There is data for a 124gr and 147gr but no 130gr. I am pretty new to handloading so is it absurd to use a powderol weight that is somewhere in between the two..... something like 6.8 grains?

What do y'all do when you cannot find a load?

Should I just scrap the bullets and get some that have a listed load?

Thanks

Older model pistols are going to be .356" diameter and feeding them .355" inch results in poor shooting. Do you know barrel bore diameter? Also that load data is for +P. On older model pistols it might be best to start with standard load data instead or plus P load data. If you're using brass that has various head stamps or range pick up brass you need to unform all your brass to one case length.

 

[Sandstorm]

Nice gun the Colt 38 Super Auto.
I too just picked up one, but have only box ammo to feed it for now. Good luck and
happy shooting once you get sorted.,

 

[Cemetery21]

Yes, interpolating as you suggest is what I would do. I also never look to shoot max in pistols. Paper is not hard to kill.
Nice older Colt. However, they headspaced on the rim back then and the Supers did not enjoy the accuracy of newer models that headspace on the case mouth.

 

[GLShooter]

Nice pistol to have for sure. I would not shoot the+P loads in such a classic. I'd stick to 38 Auto only if it were mine.

I'd split the difference between the 124 and 147 and not look back. This is a pretty common dilemma.

One thing you could do is call Hodgdon and see what they recommend. I use to call Western direct so am not sure who will be handling the tech on them.

Good luck and give us a range report.

Greg

 

[kenhwind]

Sierra lists the same data for their 125 grain JHP, 125 grain FMJ, and 130 grain FMJ.
Silhouette: 6.1 6.5 6.9 7.3
I'll scan the page and post it.
You posted that you have the Sierra Manual; page 748 in the Sierra Manual.

 

[jcm800]

If you're having trouble finding jacketed .356 bullets you can always size down hardcast 38's to .357 with a Lee die.
.356 HC 9mm will work ok as well provideing you don't push them too hard.....around 1100 fps.

 

[Pattontime]

Many, but not all brands of plated bullets are 356 in 9MM they all work well in my Kimber 38 Super.
I recently bought 356 Jacketed bullets made specifically for 38 Super at Roze Distribution, they are the retail division of Zero Bullets, GREAT people to work with, they sell a lot of bullets to USPSA competition shooters who use 38 Super, high quality and very good pricing, not much more than plated.
I use them in both my 38 Super and all my 9MM's, have for years, too small is not good, .356 instead of .355 is not a problem, for me, YMMV

 

[kenhwind]

My preferred choice of bullet for the .38 Super is Montana Gold. Their bullet has the same profile as the original RN MC bullet.

 

[JackT]

If you need info on accurate rifle reloading this is the sight to start the conversation. If you need the comparable insight on reloading 38 Super suggest you check out Brian Enos Forum. I own several 1911s in 6 different calibers and 38 Super is my favorite round, as in rifle reloading start low and work your way up. Until you are competent load with powders that fill more of the case to avoid double charges. It is much easier to double charge with Tightgroup than VVN 105 or AA #7.

 

[cem]

Silhouette powder is essentially the continuation of Winchester WAP in new packaging. This means data for WAP is a useful guide.

As noted with a little more effort it will be possible to find published data. Use that.. FREX from 6.0 to 7.5 grains of Silhouette with 130 grain Sierra bullets from Handloader 295 and republished on the web in Load Data (worth the money for the ease of computer searching) and also with additional warnings in the text:

.38 SUPER AUTOMATIC HANDGUN (USING SIERRA BULLETS)​

Author: Brian Pearce / Wolfe Publishing Co.
Date: Jul 12 2016

It's not absurd to interpolate but if you have to ask don't. All the more don't in any chamber not fully supported.

Even in these times of shortages some combination of components will be available to match a book load. Go that route.

Notice that in the sole case so far as I know of the .38 Super and the .38 Super +P SAAMI limits are the same. The +P designation was added with no other changes to be an additional warning against confusing the .38 ACP and the .38 Super.

I'd shoot a box of factory ammunition. If not satisfied I'd either call it a keepsake or plan to replace the barrel. Again as noted headspacing on the fraction of the semi-rim works poorly. IMHO fit in the throat matters more than matching the bore size but it won't hurt to slug the bore.

My own choice in the .900 length 9mm bore size is the 9x23 Winchester but that dying cartridge may be a poor choice in these times of shortages. Still if buying a new barrel and paying for the fit the 9x23 is always worth considering and can be used in switch barrel guns.

 

[iam1964]

Sierra lists the same data for their 125 grain JHP, 125 grain FMJ, and 130 grain FMJ.
Silhouette: 6.1 6.5 6.9 7.3
I'll scan the page and post it.
You posted that you have the Sierra Manual; page 748 in the Sierra Manual.
View attachment 1330278

Thanks, I totally missed that!!!