Silver colored 38 casings

[shafter]

I've got some 38 special casings that are a silver color. I know it isn't aluminum and I think it might be some kind of coating on the brass, nickel maybe? Anyway I was wondering if they can be reloaded the same as any other 38 casings.

What loads do you guys use for your 38's? I'd like to use some of my Unique and 158gr lead. Any ideas?

 

[Lavid2002]

Can't recommend loads, but your right. Those casings are nickel plated. Treat them the same as brass casings : )

 

[oneounceload]

If you go to the proper sites, you will find the data for Unique and 158 SWC. I used to use Unique, now liking Universal Clays - very similar in load data

 

[Magnum Wheel Man]

word of caution... don't tumble ( or only tumble occasionall or lightly ) or the cases get pretty ugly as the nickel get thin & irregular... I usually just wash & dry my nickel cases

 

[Mike Irwin]

Well, those cases COULD be aluminum, and therefore shouldn't be reloaded.

What are the headstamps on the cases?

There's only one common manufacturer of aluminum cases, CCI Blazer.

 

[CowTowner]

Loading Data Sites

See this recent thread for your loading data:
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=408683

 

[shafter]

Thanks. I guess their nickel. It's a mixed bunch but I'm 100% sure their not blazer

 

[Scorch]

I love Unique in all my handguns. I load a 158 gr cast LSWC over 6.0 gr of Unique, a very shootable load, about 1000 fps. Under a 158 gr jacketed SWC, you can load up to about 8 gr, check your loading manual.

 

[Uncle Buck]

I use the same recipe that scorch does in mine .38 Specials. Nice manageable recoil.

 

[WESHOOT2]

4.6g Unique / 158g lead.

 

[B.L.E.]

Don't those CCI Blazer cases use Berdan primers anyway, making them, for all practical purposes, unreloadable?