Colt D. A. .38 Serial-No.: 171XXX

[dante]

Hi outthere,

I need some info for shooting that gun. What kind of ammo? Any load suggestions?

Thank for your help!

dante

[bmcgilvray]

Hi Dante;

I load .38 Long Colt for my Model 1901 revolver.

The bores on these revolvers are larger than the current .357 diameter we are used to with our .38 Special and .357 Magnum revolvers. My old Colt has a .362 bore. Performance with modern cast lead bullets is unsatisfactory.

I've had best results using standard .38 Special 148 grain hollow base wadcutters. A powder charge of 3.0 grains of Bullseye gives a velocity of 752 fps from the revolver's 6-inch barrel. These bullets expand to fit the bore and give good accuracy.

If one is very attentive to his handloading and record keeping he may use .38 Special cases for his .38 Long Colt loads. Just use .38 Long Colt loading data in them. Be certain and keep standard .38 Special ammunition out of the revolver though. I have enough boxes of .38 Long Colt cases that I use them.

[Gizmo]

Gads is pretty reasonable on 38 short and long colt, along with heeled bullets for reloading. You can check it out here. www.gadcustomcartridges.com

[bmcgilvray]

GAD is good. He fixed me up on .32 Colt bullets.

[dante]

Hi,

thank you very much for your help.

dante