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Post by magnumwheelman on Apr 8, 2022 8:41:28 GMT -5
while I find this interesting ( & I do like old cartridges... I've revived several for my single shot rifles... ) & I have a pair of 51 Navies, cartridge converted to 38 Long Colt... ( owning at least 500 Starline 38 Long Colt cases ) however ( aside from the coolness factor ) I don't find much "practical" use for the cartridge, with 38 +P & 357 magnums hovering in the sidelines, & available in a plethora of revolvers in size, weights, & barrel lengths... ( say's the guy who passed his carry class one time with the top break snubbie in 38 S&W, in my avatar ) that's not to say the coolness factor doesn't warrant a custom revolver, stamped in that cartridge designation...  BTW... curious how the cartridge got it's name??? looks to have been developed later than general black powder cartridge use, like the name sort of implies... ( 38 caliber, with 44 grains of black powder ) but... perhaps that was the original loading, before they starting commercial production of revolvers??? |
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Post by Encore64 on Apr 8, 2022 8:52:29 GMT -5
It was so named because S&W built a 38 Special Revolver on their 44 Special N-Frame. This gave the cylinder enough thickness and strength to load the 38 Special to higher pressures.
Thus 38 on a 44 Frame became the 38-44 Heavy Duty...
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Post by bushog on Apr 8, 2022 8:56:28 GMT -5
Some day Im going to get around to buying a pre-war S&W Outdoorsman. That’s where I first learned of the heavy .38 special loadings. Don’t usually hear them referred to as HDs.
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Post by leadhound on Apr 8, 2022 9:32:46 GMT -5
I don't find much "practical" use for the cartridge, with 38 +P & 357 magnums hovering in the sidelines, & available in a plethora of revolvers in size, weights, & barrel lengths... I believe the practicality is, that it has been here all along. The 38-44 was the +p and needed a proper gun to fire it in. Was also the 357 magnum but could fit in most guns of the time in 38 special so wasn't safe, needed lengthened to prevent chambering. So in a way it's always existed and I believe it's Huey's way of reviving an old cartridge, meanwhile marking the gun properly will let someone know that it is chambered for a cartridge with same dimensions as a 38 special but few more horsepower under the hood. |
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Post by Encore64 on Apr 8, 2022 9:41:57 GMT -5
I had considered and discussed the 357 Magnum. I know that Alan Harton had built at least one S6 6-Shot 357 Magnum.
The reason I decided to go with the 38-44 is the frame window doesn't have to be cut longer.
Have both a 218 Bee and 25-20 on Single Six Frames, I could see the amount of steel removed.
I knew either the 38-44 or 357 Magnum would put more torque on the gun recoil wise. So, decided the less steel removed the better.
Like we've seen with 25k 44 Special Loads, they quietly creep up on magnums with less powder, noise and recoil.
The above and understanding the preference many of the new powders have for smaller cases made this choice easy.
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Post by 2 Dogs on Apr 8, 2022 10:11:13 GMT -5
IF I do another Single Six custom it will either be a 32-20 or a 38 heavy duty. My brother has a S6 in 38 Spl by Harton and it’s a laser!
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Post by Encore64 on Apr 8, 2022 10:47:41 GMT -5
IF I do another Single Six custom it will either be a 32-20 or a 38 heavy duty. My brother has a S6 in 38 Spl by Harton and it’s a laser! Also the two choices I was torn between. Finally decided on the 38 Special due to the shorter overall length and availability of shorter brass that could safely be fired in the chamber. Namely the 38 Short Colt and Long Colt. The 38 Short Colt has a very similar case capacity as the 9mm Luger. Makes for some interesting handloading thoughts... |
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Post by bushog on Apr 8, 2022 12:27:29 GMT -5
IF I do another Single Six custom it will either be a 32-20 or a 38 heavy duty. My brother has a S6 in 38 Spl by Harton and it’s a laser! Also the two choices I was torn between. Finally decided on the 38 Special due to the shorter overall length and availability of shorter brass that could safely be fired in the chamber. Namely the 38 Short Colt and Long Colt. The 38 Short Colt has a very similar case capacity as the 9mm Luger. Makes for some interesting handloading thoughts... Just got 1000 .38short Colt cases from Starline to try in my Clements Single Six .38 specials to try out. I only have a 9mm cylinder for one of them… |
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Post by Encore64 on Apr 8, 2022 13:45:07 GMT -5
CASE LENGTH:
38 Short Colt .760"
38 Long Colt 1.025"
38 Special 1.150"
JUMP TO 38 Special Throat:
38 Short Colt .390"
38 Long Colt .125"
So, I think a much higher probability of accuracy from the Long Colt Case. No guarantee on any of this. The 38 Special is .135" shorter than a 357 Magnum, yet usually shoot just fine in the Magnum Chamber. I don't think there is any way to find out other than trial and error...
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Post by squawberryman on Apr 8, 2022 15:38:29 GMT -5
Reference material 
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Post by taffin on Apr 8, 2022 16:07:56 GMT -5
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Post by Encore64 on Apr 8, 2022 16:10:18 GMT -5
Those two Outdoorsmans are beautiful... |
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Post by taffin on Apr 8, 2022 16:10:54 GMT -5
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Post by taffin on Apr 8, 2022 16:11:51 GMT -5
DON'T KNOW WHERE THE ADS CAME FROM!?!?!?!
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Post by Encore64 on Apr 8, 2022 16:13:11 GMT -5
Doesn't matter. The guns are stunning. I do prefer the adjustable sight guns...
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