Moving from 9 major to 38sc

[Cltpewpew]

I’m thinking of making the switch from 9 to 38sc to shoot open. Where are you sourcing once fired brass? Almost no one shoots 38sc locally so range/match pickup isn’t a viable option. What powders are you using? I’m using 3n37. Can I still use that for 38sc?

[dons]

I've looked for 39SC fired brass at all the usual internet sources, with no success.  I have only seen 38SC fired brass here in the classified, and that is rarely.  I've resigned myself to using new Starline at .19 cents apiece.  The matches I attend locally don't police brass, so every match for me is lost brass. Sorry I don't have better experience to share.  

I've uses AA#7, Silhouette, AutoComp, and 571 (no longer in production) in 38SC, but never any of the VV powders.  My charts tell me that 3n37 will work in SC, so you should be ok with it.

Good luck!

[zzt]

I think it is silly to pay 19 cents for brass, 8 cents for the primer, 5 cents for the powder and 10-12 cents for the bullet.  That 42 to 44 cents each shot. And you have to assemble them.   I'd rather just buy Eley major ammo.  https://www.killoughshootingsports.com/9mm-ammo-c19/38-super-comp-major-c22/eley-38-super-comp-major-50-rounds-p729    Just wait for a deal.  A buddy recently bought a bunch for $38.50/100.  You cannot reload for that.  You can't get free brass.  Even once fired is 12+ cents if you can find some. 

 

If I remember correctly Eley uses 12.5gr N105.  More than enough gas for all those poppels.

 

Atlanta Arms also makes 38SC major.  That is what Sig buys for Max Michael.  They order 50,000 rounds at a time.

 

If you do reload, take advantage of all that case capacity.  Use 3N38, AA7 or N105.  Pressures will be lower.

[caspian guy]

There's almost no chance you are going to find a stable source of once fired sc brass. You are going to have to resign yourself to shooting it once in practice then again at the matches and paying what it costs to get more, or start picking it up yourself.   Mark you brass on the back and side with sharpie (or dykem) to make it easier to see. Make friends with the people on your squad and ask nicely for them to help you (some will some won't) expect to come back after the match and take another pass though.

 

If you do that you'll likely get between 65 and 80% of your brass back (unless you shoot in an area that still has the tradition of picking up brass.)

 

For powder deepening on your gun (ports/comp) one of 3n38, N350, or AA7 or shooters world major are all good choices.

[caspian guy]

5 minutes ago, zzt said:

I think it is silly to pay 19 cents for brass, 8 cents for the primer, 5 cents for the powder and 10-12 cents for the bullet.  That 42 to 44 cents each shot. And you have to assemble them.   I'd rather just buy Eley major ammo.  https://www.killoughshootingsports.com/9mm-ammo-c19/38-super-comp-major-c22/eley-38-super-comp-major-50-rounds-p729    Just wait for a deal.  A buddy recently bought a bunch for $38.50/100.  You cannot reload for that.  You can't get free brass.  Even once fired is 12+ cents if you can find some. 

 

If I remember correctly Eley uses 12.5gr N105.  More than enough gas for all those poppels.

 

Atlanta Arms also makes 38SC major.  That is what Sig buys for Max Michael.  They order 50,000 rounds at a time.

 

If you do reload, take advantage of all that case capacity.  Use 3N38, AA7 or N105.  Pressures will be lower.

Yep buy the eley shoot it and reload the brass is the cheapest route.

[GrumpyOne]

18 minutes ago, zzt said:

I think it is silly to pay 19 cents for brass, 8 cents for the primer, 5 cents for the powder and 10-12 cents for the bullet.  That 42 to 44 cents each shot. And you have to assemble them.   I'd rather just buy Eley major ammo.  https://www.killoughshootingsports.com/9mm-ammo-c19/38-super-comp-major-c22/eley-38-super-comp-major-50-rounds-p729    Just wait for a deal.  A buddy recently bought a bunch for $38.50/100.  You cannot reload for that.  You can't get free brass.  Even once fired is 12+ cents if you can find some. 

 

If I remember correctly Eley uses 12.5gr N105.  More than enough gas for all those poppels.

 

Atlanta Arms also makes 38SC major.  That is what Sig buys for Max Michael.  They order 50,000 rounds at a time.

 

If you do reload, take advantage of all that case capacity.  Use 3N38, AA7 or N105.  Pressures will be lower.

They won't be using N105 for any newer ammo, unless they have many pounds of it stored. N105 was discontinued by VV.

[MikeyScuba]

Did anyone really use a lot of N105?  It sure didn't help with being only available in 1lb tubs.  8lb tubs would have been interesting.  The few tubs I tried I was around 10.5gr.  That is a lot of powder!

[GrumpyOne]

14 minutes ago, MikeyScuba said:

Did anyone really use a lot of N105?  It sure didn't help with being only available in 1lb tubs.  8lb tubs would have been interesting.  The few tubs I tried I was around 10.5gr.  That is a lot of powder!

Agree. 1lb bottles was not the greatest. I use it in 38 Super, it is fantastic, but you don't get many rounds per pound at 10.5 grains per round, that makes about 660 rounds per pound. I still have 4lbs of it.

[rishii]

Back when I shot 38 SC, I would buy starline nickel plated brass, it cost more but was much easier to find in a sea of brass cases

https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/17877

[zzt]

3 hours ago, GrumpyOne said:

They won't be using N105 for any newer ammo, unless they have many pounds of it stored. N105 was discontinued by VV.

 

Maybe that's why they upped their prices.  I'm sure they did not buy their powder in 1 lb. bottles.  I'm sure they bought OEM powder like N105.

[keeph8n]

I was looking at picking up a bunch of the Eley, but I had heard it’s considerably more dirty than that of like the Atlanta Arms because of the bullets that are used. 
 

no idea if that is the case, but what I was told. 

Edited November 28 by keeph8n

[MikeyScuba]

Pull one.  I’m betting since it’s round nose I’m betting its exposed lead base.  That is why I shoot hollow point.

 

i pick up most of our brass as we shoot the odd ipsc match  but mostly it’s outlaw static steel.

[keeph8n]

15 hours ago, MikeyScuba said:

Pull one.  I’m betting since it’s round nose I’m betting its exposed lead base.  That is why I shoot hollow point.

 

i pick up most of our brass as we shoot the odd ipsc match  but mostly it’s outlaw static steel.

Yes that’s exactly what my open gun builder told me. Said to stay away from that if possible. Atlanta being OOS and im not sure when they will have more available. 
 

Just trying to load the safe up a bit before the season starts, and not sure if Eley is the wise choice. 

Edited November 29 by keeph8n

[MikeyScuba]

My cost (not inc brass) is .26 a round and brass is .20c.  Of course we shall not count the price of the mark7 evo pro..... not sure if I'll ever break even but I shoot custom rounds for revolver so I needed one lol

[zzt]

19 hours ago, MikeyScuba said:

Pull one.  I’m betting since it’s round nose I’m betting its exposed lead base.

 

I was told the base is covered.  I'd never suggest anyone shoot regular, exposed base FMJs with poppels and/or a comp.

[keeph8n]

45 minutes ago, zzt said:

 

I was told the base is covered.  I'd never suggest anyone shoot regular, exposed base FMJs with poppels and/or a comp.

Interesting. Now I’m very curious which it is, because if it is not an exposed lead bullet I shall pickup quite a bit of it. 

[keeph8n]

Spoke with Colt at KSS. It is indeed an exposed lead base FMJ. 

[shred]

Marking brass and picking it up is the way if you shoot SC and don't have a big budget.   It lasts for dozens of loads before cracking unless you go nuts with powder.  That puts your cpr under the 9mm dudes buying processed brass and there's no fear of getting stepped or plated steel or berdan or whatever 38SC brass.

 

You can also sometimes buy used SC brass from ROs that work Open Nationals.  Still a lot of shooters, esp top shooters, running SC.

 

[zzt]

3 hours ago, keeph8n said:

Spoke with Colt at KSS. It is indeed an exposed lead base FMJ. 

 

Interesting.  When I called to ask, I was told the opposite.  Well, scratch Eley.  WTF were they thinking?

[MikeyScuba]

…..but there occasionally is the old dude who shows up and dumps super all over the place.  Man I hate that.  I now easily spot it and leave it but sometimes RO’s and fellow shooters “help” pick up my brass so super gets into the mix.

 

Once I’ve processed my comp I go through it so I have a pile of starline and a pile of ELIY, Atlanta and Armscor etc.

 

As for dozens of loadings?  I leave it on the ground around 8-9.  I start to get blowouts just beneath the rim after that.  A pick stuff off your face blast.

 

I stopped marking my brass.  I used the range panda super thick magnum marker attached. Works great with a red sharpie but the gun got  gunky quick.  But the 3/8” red stripe was easily spotted 

[MikeyScuba]

Just now, zzt said:

 

Interesting.  When I called to ask, I was told the opposite.  Well, scratch Eley.  WTF were they thinking?

Does anyone make a round nose completely FMJ round?  

[keeph8n]

6 minutes ago, zzt said:

 

Interesting.  When I called to ask, I was told the opposite.  Well, scratch Eley.  WTF were they thinking?

Yeah it sucks because I like the idea of certified ammo. Now I gotta wait for Atlanta to come back in stock

[zzt]

Just now, MikeyScuba said:

Does anyone make a round nose completely FMJ round?  

 

Yes.  Montana Gold made a CMJ.  They are no longer around, but you can get some from third parties.  Failing that. Everglades Ammo made 9mm 124 heavy plated bullets in .355".  Plating is .008" thick, so you can push them fast.

[MikeyScuba]

I prefer jacketed.  But then again I have a barrel of ~35k 124jhp left..  My wife worked for ammo a few years back at a local gun store.  True story.

[shred]

4 hours ago, MikeyScuba said:

…..but there occasionally is the old dude who shows up and dumps super all over the place.  Man I hate that.  I now easily spot it and leave it but sometimes RO’s and fellow shooters “help” pick up my brass so super gets into the mix.

 

Once I’ve processed my comp I go through it so I have a pile of starline and a pile of ELIY, Atlanta and Armscor etc.

 

As for dozens of loadings?  I leave it on the ground around 8-9.  I start to get blowouts just beneath the rim after that.  A pick stuff off your face blast.

Never had one blow out.  Cracking is the only way they fail for me unless the rim gets bashed enough to not-fit the gauge anymore.  .223 shellplate gets rid of any rimmed Supers that sneak through.