Just beginning reloading for a 38 super (1911 commander, ramped fully supported chamber).
Any info on the following?
1) Any powder that works better for the 4.25" barrel to attain safe hi velocity
2) Plan on using Starline super comp brass. I know it made have a little thicker brass at the base. Will this effect loading data (pressure) with a bit less case capacity?
3) Would like to consider using .357 diameter projectiles that are designed to work better at higher than norm .355 for 9mm. Any problem going up 2/1000?

EZ

Not in a rifle but I would use bullets designed for the 38 Super blow back action...One of the finest, unsung heros of the combat weapons world, the 38 Super..Its so easy to overload a 1911, keep that in mind..Go with the book and start low and work up but don't go beyond book max ever...A blowback on a 1911 splits the wood grips and gas escapes in your hand, which is now numb if your lucky and then it gets worse in degrees in a hurry...Been there and done it 20 years ago..My one and only wreck shooting and for that Im greatfull...

quote:

Originally posted by eezridr:
Just beginning reloading for a 38 super (1911 commander, ramped fully supported chamber).
Any info on the following?
1) Any powder that works better for the 4.25" barrel to attain safe hi velocity
2) Plan on using Starline super comp brass. I know it made have a little thicker brass at the base. Will this effect loading data (pressure) with a bit less case capacity?
3) Would like to consider using .357 diameter projectiles that are designed to work better at higher than norm .355 for 9mm. Any problem going up 2/1000?

EZ

I load for two .38 Supers, one a 1911 from 1930 and a Kimber and I’ve used Blue Dot with good results in both, but I don’t load really hot. Use Unique quite a bit for lighter loads but it seems to be a bit “dirtier”, still shoots good, though. I’m certain there are powders out there that are better but I’ve got pretty good supplies of these and they work OK.
I also shoot mostly .357 dia Bullets through them with no issues, a lot of Berry’s bullets, pretty accurate, too.
Can’t comment on Starline brass as I haven’t used it in this caliber.
Hope this helps a little.

tons of powder options. use .356 bullets

Like Silhouette, used some old powders also like AA452.

Thanks guys

Ray

Did they ever make a 38 Super in a blowback action?

Steve........

9mm Luger, 38 Super, 38 Special, and 357 Magnum all use a groove diameter of 355 per SAAMI.
Since 1974, I have happily used 357" bullets in 9mm Luger and 38 Super without issue.
Max loads in both have, so far, not been affected by a larger bullet.
If you start at start load there is absolutely no issue.
The powder that gives highest velocity in 12" will also give highest velocity in 1" barrel. Only reason to use faster burning powder is if accuracy is goal and you find a more accurate powder than the appropriate slow powders. I load only for accuracy and slower has been more accurate.
I find AA7 and Silhouette are very accurate in my 38 Supers.
I only shoot JHP or L-SWC bullets in my 38 Supers.

If I try to use a decimal point, my iPad types.357
There was a space between types and the period.

quote:

Originally posted by Steve E.:
Ray

Did they ever make a 38 Super in a blowback action?

Steve........

Certainly not in 1911.

For essentially a .38 super, I’ve used a lot of VV 3N37 for major loads… fully supported chamber is a must for that.

“Plinking” type loads I’ve used shotgun powders for those.

If the barrel is not integrally ramped, you do need to be careful with how hot you load them.

The only one of the class that had factory loads make major power factor was the 9x23 Winchester, and that was essentially running .223 rifle pressure rounds.

Know what you are doing with the load data- a lot of the stuff on Internet forums is for race guns, not the older commercial guns.

I have two 38 Supers, a Colt 1911 A1 and an EAA Witness full size. I usually about any 124 gr jacketed bullet over a middle of the road charge of Power Pistol for around 1250 fps with great results. I have shot 357 bullets with no problems except some feeding issues (in the Colt) with one brand of jhp bullet with a lot of exposed lead, the Witness didn't care what it was fed. This is a fun round to shoot especially in the Colt.

Steve.....

My thinking was a 1911, browning Hi Power my 2 guns for many year were technically blow back, are they not? if not clarify my dumb ass!!

I guess what threw me is I was thinking a blowback as in some of the ones like 22 lr guns and some 380 pistols (Walthers, Mackarovs, CZ82 etc.) where their blowback actions with only the recoil spring holding the slide closed.
I guess the 1911 & High Powers are a locked design that the slide is blown back after the barrel is unlocked. Not really a blowback design, I guess I had a brain fart.

Steve.........

Both the 1911 and the HI power are tilting barrel locked breach designs.

For 38 super, 3n38 and a 125g Zero, Hornady, or Montana gold bullet is the goto load for competitors. Use 9mm .355 or .356 bullets, not .357. You can use supercomp brass, in fact it is preferred, but you may need to tune the extractor some. Some guns will run both and super and supercomp on the same setup, some won't. I run about 10K a year through various guns

I am down to one 38 super. Years ago I really enjoyed shooting and loading the round. With a fully supported barrel, you could get some fine results using the Hornady 140 grain XTP and Accurate No. 9. Have fun.