.38 Cal. Roundball Loads

Loading Roundball into .38 Cal. pistol ammo can be fun & cheap shooting!

.36 Caliber Buckshot is typically used and if needed it can be sized to .358 or whatever size is needed to shoot properly.

In .38 Short Colt or .38 Long Colt only single ball loads would normally work due to the short case length. .38 Spl can be loaded with either single or double roundball loads. .357 Mag amazingly could be loaded with single, double or maybe even triple roundball loads!

Let’s see what GROK 2.0 has to say on this topic.

Prompt:

Discuss handloading or reloading of .38 cal. pistol ammunition such as .38 Spl, .38 Long Colt, .38 Short Colt, .357 Mag with Roundball Bullets, include information on single or double roundball loads, give specific load information if possible.

GROK says:

Handloading or reloading .38 caliber pistol ammunition encompasses several cartridges like .38 Special, .38 Long Colt, .38 Short Colt, and .357 Magnum. Here’s a detailed look at these, focusing on the use of roundball bullets:

.38 Special:

• Roundball Loads: Roundball bullets are less common for .38 Special due to its modern use with jacketed or cast lead bullets, but they can be used for novelty or very specific shooting scenarios.
  • Single Roundball: A single roundball in .38 Special could be around .357 inches in diameter. Since this is an unconventional load, specific powder charges aren’t widely documented. However, a starting point might involve using less than typical powder charges for standard bullets to keep pressures safe, possibly around 2-3 grains of a fast-burning pistol powder like Bullseye for a very light load.
  • Double Roundball: Loading two roundballs would require even more caution due to the increased pressure from the additional projectile. This would not be recommended without extensive testing under controlled conditions.

.38 Long Colt:

• Historical Use: The .38 Long Colt was originally used with heeled bullets, but modern reloaders can adapt it for roundballs similar to .38 Special.
  • Load Data: For historical or cowboy action shooting, a load might be around 2.7 to 3.0 grains of Bullseye with a 150-grain soft lead hollow-base bullet, which could be adapted for a roundball by reducing powder to ensure safety due to the lower mass of the bullet.

.38 Short Colt:

• Compatibility: The .38 Short Colt can be fired from revolvers chambered for .38 Special or .357 Magnum, making it an interesting choice for speed reloading in competitions where case length matters.
  • Roundball Considerations: Like the Long Colt, using a roundball would require careful adjustment of powder charge. A starting point might be even less than for the Long Colt, perhaps 1-2 grains of a fast-burning powder, given its smaller case capacity.

.357 Magnum:

• Power and Versatility: The .357 Magnum is known for its stopping power but is adaptable to lighter loads for target shooting or practice.
  • Roundball Loads: Here, roundballs would be used more for historical or novelty purposes.
    • Single Roundball: Given the larger case capacity, start with very light charges, perhaps around 3-4 grains of a fast-burning powder like Bullseye or Unique.
    • Double Roundball: This would be experimental, and you would need to carefully monitor for pressure signs, starting with extremely light charges.

General Notes on Reloading with Roundballs:

• Safety: Always start with the lowest possible charge and work up slowly, looking for signs of excessive pressure or malfunction.
• Accuracy and Performance: Roundballs might not provide the best accuracy or penetration compared to modern bullet designs but can be fun for certain types of shooting or historical reenactments.
• Equipment: You’ll need a roundball mold, or you can purchase pre-cast roundballs. Ensure your dies are compatible or modify your reloading technique if necessary.
• Testing: Due to the unconventional nature of roundball loads, especially in modern cartridges, extensive testing is recommended. Chronograph the loads to understand velocities and ensure the bullets are not lodging in the barrel.

Sources and Recommendations:

• For detailed load data, refer to reloading manuals from reputable sources or consult with experienced handloaders, as roundball data isn’t commonly published for these cartridges.
• Always adhere to safe reloading practices, and consider that roundballs might not expand or perform like modern bullets in self-defense scenarios.

Remember, these are speculative loads based on general principles of reloading, and actual testing and adjustment to your specific firearm is crucial for safety and performance.

GROK also offered up some more specific load data so here it is!

Here’s some more specific guidance for handloading .38 caliber ammunition with roundballs, though keep in mind that roundball data is less common, and these suggestions are based on general reloading principles:

.38 Special with Roundballs:

• Bullet Diameter: .357″ to .358″ for best fit in most .38 Special chambers.
• Powder:
  • Bullseye: Start at 1.5 grains for a very light load, possibly up to 2.5 grains for a bit more zip. Keep in mind, this is for a single roundball.
  • Unique: Similar, start at about 2.0 grains, but ensure you’re not exceeding safe pressures.
• Charge Weights:
  • For a single roundball, you might use:
    • 1.5 to 2.0 grains Bullseye – This would give a very light recoil, suitable for plinking or as a starting point for adjustment.
    • 2.0 to 2.5 grains Unique – Slightly more energy but still on the conservative side.
• Double Roundball: Not commonly recommended due to pressure concerns, but if attempted:
  • 1.0 to 1.5 grains Bullseye per ball – This would be an experimental load, and you’d need to monitor for any signs of pressure issues like flattened primers, difficult extraction, or any other signs of overpressure.

.38 Long Colt:

• Bullet Diameter: Ideally .375″ to match the original groove diameter, but .357″ can work in modern replicas or conversions.
• Powder:
  • Bullseye: Since this is a lower pressure round originally, start with:
    • 2.0 to 3.0 grains for a single roundball load. This would approximate the original black powder velocities.
• Load Data:
  • Single Roundball:
    • 2.0 grains Bullseye – A low recoil load for practice or historical matches.
    • 2.5 grains Bullseye – If you need a bit more velocity but still within safe limits.

.38 Short Colt:

• Bullet Diameter: .375″ for historical accuracy, but modern loads often use .357″.
• Powder:
  • Bullseye: Due to the even smaller case:
    • 1.0 to 2.0 grains for a single roundball. This would be very light, suitable for very low recoil scenarios or controlled practice.

.357 Magnum:

• Bullet Diameter: .357″ to .358″.
• Powder:
  • Bullseye: For a light load:
    • 3.0 to 4.0 grains for a single roundball. This keeps it in the realm of target shooting without the full power of the .357 Magnum.
  • Unique: If you need a bit more punch:
    • 3.5 to 4.5 grains – Remember, these are starting points; work up from here.
• Double Roundball:
  • 2.0 to 2.5 grains Bullseye per ball – This would be highly experimental, and you’d need to ensure your firearm can handle this safely. Monitor for pressure signs meticulously.

Important Notes:

• Chronograph: Use a chronograph to measure velocity and ensure you’re not exceeding safe pressures.
• Pressure Signs: Always watch for signs of overpressure like flattened or pierced primers, hard extraction, or case bulging.
• Manuals: While specific roundball data isn’t often listed, you can adapt from cast bullet data by significantly reducing charges due to the lighter weight of roundballs.
• Safety: These loads are speculative. Always work up from a mild load, and consider consulting with experienced reloaders or specialized reloading forums for more precise guidance.

Remember, without specific manual data for roundballs in these calibers, these loads are based on general reloading knowledge and require caution and testing to ensure safety.

Happy roundball shooting!