If it were me I would stay away from the 38 special in that gun, I don't know if the action could handle the pressure. Just my opinion.

Jesse

Consider the 38 Long Colt, brass is available, even loaded ammo, it is basicly a shortened 38 Special (1.035") and loaded to lower chamber pressures, a correctly chambered rifle would not allow the the 38 Special to fit in the chamber.
Mike

No need to re-chamber, just shorten .38 Special brass to fit and use heal based bullets .375 dia. You can have a custom mold made or buy ready cast heal based bullets from Alpha Bravo Mfg. (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

Will

Quote:


Bob,
38-40 would not work since it is actually a 40 cal bullet. As suggested a 38 long Colt would be fine. If you intend on using the original barrel,you may want to slug the bore so you can determine what the dimensions are.
Unfortunately just because a caliber is called a 38...... doesn't mean that's the actual bullet diameter. For example a 38spl uses a. 357 bullet and a 38-40 uses a. 401 bullet.

Jesse

I'd urge you to keep the chambering close to original. Although we're all smart folks, a rechambered gun may get into Harlow's hands and be loaded with a modern round. I shoot quite a few RF guns using CF cases with a .22 RF chamber cut into them, using an emptied .22 case as a primer, much like the Dixie adapters. The advantage of making your own is that you can come up with case dimensions that fit your chamber using the bullet you choose, and get a nice enough fit for pretty good accuracy if the barrel is in good shape. By shooting a case close to the original the gun retains authenticity and Harlow will be frustrated when he tries to stuff a .38 Special +P round into the chamber. Then when the gun goes to the next owner, along with the modified cases, instructions, mould, etc., he or she will hopefully treat her with a little care and respect, as befitting her age, and she'll still perform well, within her modest pressure limits. There are limits to intelligence, but there are no limits to stupidity.