38 super

Mainiac

Well-Known Member
Shot it this weekend,,shes a keeper!!!
I shot a known accuracy load for my 210 sig 9mm,,7.2 aa7,,in this super,and it shot super tight,in this super,bigger case and all.
I find this stuff interesting, so i keep playing.
 

CZ93X62

Official forum enigma
As said elsewhere, I don't recall ever firing a 38 Super PISTOL. My old shop had 3 Thompson SMGs, 2 in 45 ACP and 1 in 38 Super. I did fire that one, once. 10 seconds of fun, followed by an hour of cleaning. 'Way upside-down on fun factor, for that reason. MP-5s and Colt SMGs in 9mm make a lot more sense.
 

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
As said elsewhere, I don't recall ever firing a 38 Super PISTOL. My old shop had 3 Thompson SMGs, 2 in 45 ACP and 1 in 38 Super. I did fire that one, once. 10 seconds of fun, followed by an hour of cleaning. 'Way upside-down on fun factor, for that reason. MP-5s and Colt SMGs in 9mm make a lot more sense.
That is surprising it took that long. I cleaned my Savage M1 in about 10 minutes, but then I had practice. Your Blish Lock 38 Super most have been more complicated than the M1 and M1A1's.
 

KeithB

Resident Half Fast Machinist
My interest in the .38 Super is as a cartridge to use (safely) 158-160 gr bullets at velocities that would be between .38 Special and .357 Mag for the same weight bullet. Every popular semi - auto type round in 9mm/.357 caliber (9mm Parabellum, .357 Sig) is designed around 115 - 125 gr bullets. Yes, I know you can use a 158 gr RN in 9mm but you're right on the edge. The short neck on the Sig makes it impractical for heavier bullets.

Having ten to 15 rounds of .38 caliber 158 gr SWCHPs at a high enough velocity to expand while having enough weight to penetrate well padded targets in a flat package like a compact Glock has a certain appeal to me.
 

Mainiac

Well-Known Member
Im finding it intresting,in that the same loads i found to be accurate in the 210 9mm,,shoot very tight in this super.and,similar velocities even though super has much more case capacity.
 

CZ93X62

Official forum enigma
That is surprising it took that long. I cleaned my Savage M1 in about 10 minutes, but then I had practice. Your Blish Lock 38 Super most have been more complicated than the M1 and M1A1's.
Well, the guy 'assisting' me with the takedown and cleaning sequence was enjoying my "New to Thompsons' status just a bit too much. Great guy, God rest him. I didn't have the benefit of his service experience.
 

Mainiac

Well-Known Member
Tried the lee 105swc,in the super today,,1050 fps,,and chew same hole in paper.
Id forgot just how good that little bullet,shoots!
 

CWLONGSHOT

Well-Known Member
I just got mine. But have enjoyed the 166g for many years. (I think its discontinued now) It looks same only longer.

I hoped to use the 105 in the 380.

CW
 

L Ross

Well-Known Member
Shot some groups out of long barrelled smiths,357,38,,that you wouldnt beleave.
Years back,sort of forgot about this little pill.
I used this bullet over a large charge of Bullseye in a .357 Contender many years ago for handgun silhouette. Competed against the 110 gr. jacketed hollow point shooters so well they wanted to know what it was. Until they found out it had to be cast at home. Most of us shot .357, a couple of guys shot .32-20, then the .270 Renn stuff started and when it got real gamy I quit.
 

OldLearner

New Member
I am by no means an expert on the .38 Super, but I intend to become better acquainted with its capabilities in the near future.
A 105 gr. SWC launched at 1050 f/s and makes tiny little groups is certainly worth something, but the ballistics involved at that of a 9mm Makarov or a .32 H&R "magnum". This load is certainly an encouraging departure, but better ballistics with similar accuracy are almost certainly possible. It sounds as though much care was used in the sizing and lubing aspects of the diminutive pill. Perhaps the same care directed toward lubing and sizing the heavier projectiles would result in similarly tight groups with bullets of a more practical application. To the extent possible, use of similar propellant might be entertained.
Data for the .38 Super exists, using projectiles weighing from 88 to 180 gr. My inclination is to believe that 124 to 150 gr. is the best of the continuum and the flatter the nose configuration the better.
Two loads that are semi-famous for providing very good performance with high but livable pressures is 4.5-6.0/Unique/140 gr. SAECO #383 LSWC. or 4.5-5.5/Unique/145 gr. SAECO #929 LSWC. Neither of these projectiles is in wide production, but I intend to give the lighter projectile a thorough testing. If It works as I suspect, it will likely become my "go to" projectile in my Supers.
 

Mainiac

Well-Known Member
I am by no means an expert on the .38 Super, but I intend to become better acquainted with its capabilities in the near future.
A 105 gr. SWC launched at 1050 f/s and makes tiny little groups is certainly worth something, but the ballistics involved at that of a 9mm Makarov or a .32 H&R "magnum". This load is certainly an encouraging departure, but better ballistics with similar accuracy are almost certainly possible. It sounds as though much care was used in the sizing and lubing aspects of the diminutive pill. Perhaps the same care directed toward lubing and sizing the heavier projectiles would result in similarly tight groups with bullets of a more practical application. To the extent possible, use of similar propellant might be entertained.
Data for the .38 Super exists, using projectiles weighing from 88 to 180 gr. My inclination is to believe that 124 to 150 gr. is the best of the continuum and the flatter the nose configuration the better.
Two loads that are semi-famous for providing very good performance with high but livable pressures is 4.5-6.0/Unique/140 gr. SAECO #383 LSWC. or 4.5-5.5/Unique/145 gr. SAECO #929 LSWC. Neither of these projectiles is in wide production, but I intend to give the lighter projectile a thorough testing. If It works as I suspect, it will likely become my "go to" projectile in my Supers.
Just ordered the 147 rcbs copy mold,from mp.gonna be intresting to see how it shoots.it has 2 lube grooves,so there will be more variables to test.