Suggestions on 38 Bullet Diameter

Hi All,

I have a K38 I would like to reload for.  A 0.358 Zero WCHB will stop at the cylinder throat on all cylinders but will only take very light pressure to push it through the throat. Is this the correct bullet diameter for this gun?  I bought some Matts bullets at 0.359 diameter which would need strikes from a hammer to get them through the throats. Is this tighter bullet more or less desirable?  Would it be dangerous to shoot the 0.359 bullets?  Could the resistance cause a large spike in pressure causing the gun to fail?  Which is best to use for this gun 0.358 or 0.359?

Best,

Joe

The HB will expand to fill whatever they’re passing thru.  Solid slugs won’t generally.  So I’d use 358 for HB and 359-360:for solid.

Solid cast bullet should snug fit cylinder throat and not require force to pass through. The forcing cone on the barrel will help the larger than bore diameter bullet enter the rifling. In some revolvers the cylinder throats are too small and require opening up (honing) to use bullets slightly larger than bore diameter. HBWC are good as is.
Jon

I agree with what Jon says on the solids as long as they can be pushed through by hand not dropped through and have a good lube on em. Some HBWC come in 357"diameter only and will obturate in the throats just fine when loading at the target pressures we use of 600-700 fps.
 The only time I've slugged my barrel on my Model 14, I couldn't measure it because they have 5 grooves and I don't know how to do odd number of grooves. Some Rugers have tighter throats than grooves diameter.
Stan

To measure it you need a v-anvil micrometer.

https://exactindustrialsupply.com/products/nb60cvm15?variant=32509476176012&currency=USD&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=google+shopping&gclid=Cj0KCQjwxJqHBhC4ARIsAChq4at2Y-dL-TBtpu-iXT_OWydGnJw2yY4xDtgmeThbpg2r2E3NEOeK7eQaAmzMEALw_wcB

But this might be a lesser cost alternative.  

https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/07190051

I use Zero 158 grain SWC in my 14 and they group great at 50 yards

Wobbley wrote:To measure it you need a v-anvil micrometer.

https://exactindustrialsupply.com/products/nb60cvm15?variant=32509476176012&currency=USD&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=google+shopping&gclid=Cj0KCQjwxJqHBhC4ARIsAChq4at2Y-dL-TBtpu-iXT_OWydGnJw2yY4xDtgmeThbpg2r2E3NEOeK7eQaAmzMEALw_wcB

But this might be a lesser cost alternative.  

https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/07190051

  Yes,  that would be a cheaper alternative.
  My 358 sizing die works great with my cast wadcutters, and I use range scrap that comes out at 11.5 bhn. I started casting a Lee tumble lube 158gr RN that is very accurate with the same lead.
 To the o.p. Joe what you have will be perfect for you.
 Stan