[kcii]

I just finished reading Mr. Camp's comparison of the 9mm and .38 super on his Hipowers and Handguns website. I was a little surprised to find that , in factory trim, that the super offers so little over the 9mm. Can anyone tell me what the original specs were for the super when it first appeared in 1929? I imagine it must have been hotter than the stuff offered today. Thanks.

Shawn

 

[jimhigginbotham]

To my knowledge the original spec was a 130 fmj at 1300. I have never found any major manufacturer's ammo that actually got that (some is as low as the mid 1100s).

Ken Hackathorn once found a lot of Remington that he shot which did clock just over 1300 but he found that noteworthy enough to mention it.

Silvertips usually hit about 1225 in most of my Supers. I have some Cor-Bon but have not clocked it...they usually live up to their claims though (right now, not being home, I forget what that is).

The Super .38 has potential but it sure isn't much of an improvement on the 9X19 in factory form except by some of the specialty manufacturers.

Way back when, before it was "discovered", I used to shoot cast 160gr bullets at about 1270fps...that had potential but of course they would not expand. Allegedly you can hit almost 1300 with a 147 using Nobel SP2 and still stay under max SAAMI pressure but I do not know...I have used it to reach right at 1400fps with a 147 in the 9X23 though.

The 9X23 is the round that the Super whould be. It is surprisingly easy to make one but you cannot do it with the old Colt Barrel.

Onward,
jim

 

[kcii]

Jim,
Thanks for the info. I'm going to look into the Cor-Bon offerings and I do plan to start reloading for the super one of these days

Shawn

 

[Guest]

I JUST (as in last weekend) set up the reloading press for .38 Super for the first time. I've never reloaded for this caliber before. Started with a light 90gr. HP with a published velocity of 1475 fps. I suspect I'll find that I want to go to a heavier bullet, but once I try it I'll let anyone interested know what I find.

 

[jimhigginbotham]

rogerho;

Be aware when you start handloading for the Super that all Super .38 cases are not created equal. Loads that seem fine in some bulge the web or blow it in other cases.

Much to my surprise I found that PMC nickel cases were the toughest but that Remington nickel cases were pretty strong also. I have not used Starline but Winchesters I reserve for only light to medium loads (usually I like Win rifle and other handgun caliber brass just fine but in both the Super and the .357 mag I like Rem).

Onward!
Jim

 

[Guest]

Thanks, Jim, excellent info to know. I just loaded the above in Winchesters. I'll pay careful attention to cases and work up, based on what you're saying. Being new to .38 Super - I've seen cases that don't say "Super" on them and I'm thinking they may be old .38 Auto cases. Even though dimensions are the same, should they be tossed out and not used for .38 Super?

 

[jimhigginbotham]

Roger on the .38 Auto cases. I don't toss them but save them for "practice" ammo...not something I really use anymore.

If one needs just cheap practice ammo he can get a 9mm barrel and stick it in his Super .38 and practice much cheaper (it is not 100% reliable but it is not unsafe and allows good malfunction practice anyway - I experience one failure to feed or extract in about every 400-500 rounds.)

I really don't think the load you mentioned is too much to stress the Win. brass unless you are doing it with a really fast powder. It is fairly easy to get 1400 + with even a 9mm, more powder space and a medium rate powder should be a cinch in Super .38.

Should make excellent varmint loads!

Good luck!
Jim