38 Spl - SWC vs RN

[Evil Dog]

When out shooting Practical Pistol with my favorite 1952 vintage K-38 6", I have 4 of the HKS speedloaders on my belt. Have always cast a 150gr SWC for my 38 Spl loads but am now thinking that perhaps a RN design might be a little easier to line up with the speedloaders. In your experience, which has been more satisfactory out to say 30 yards... the SWC or RN presuming the same weight for either?

[Zcarp2]

Saw your ad wanting a 4 cav Lyman - you got me interested. 

I shoot a Lyman 358156 and a Lyman 358311.  Can't really say that at less than 50 yards there is a difference in accuracy.  Using speedloaders, the RN is a little easier to drop into the cylinder where the 358156 may take a little bit of a wiggle.  I'd be tempted to say it is a personal preference.  I don't shoot in competition, this is just my impressions

What SWC are you shooting now?  And is there a problem with fast reloads?

[Questor]

Are there other shooters in your league that can help you with this? Or other web sites that demonstrate what works? These are the best resources because there's not substitute for experience. Why reinvent the wheel, as they say.

[Evil Dog]

Currently I am using the 357453, a 151gr SWC.  Yes, it does occasionally take a wiggle or two to get it lined up.  I've also found that the factory magna grips seem to work the best for me rather than the larger "target" grips or the Pachmayr rubbermaids.  Currently using 4.1gr Unique which for me is pretty comfortable.    Going to a round nose profile should maike things just a little easier to get started straight.  My first choice would be the 358311, a 160gr RN.  Second choice would be the 358665, a 158gr almost RN.

With the 358156, are you using a gas check on it?  A design that I have never tried as I've never particularly wanted to mess around seating gas checks.

There are very few wheelgun people in the group I shoot with, most everybody has gone to the bottom feeding multi-spitters.  The truncated cone profile seems to be rather popular with the other wheelgun folk.  They say it practically drops in without even having to look.

I am a bit more nostalgic though and would prefer going with a RN as my rig could be right out of the mid-60s.  A S&W K-38 6" (1952 vintage), Bianchi Model 27 holster.  Don't remember exactly when speedloaders came out but I carry 4 of them anyway.  Also have a double dump pouch for another 12 rounds in Bianchi speedstrips.



If nothing else, it gets style points.

[Dee]

Well, I didn't carry hks speed loaders for competition, but I did on duty in the hey-day of the Model 19 Combat magnum era. What I found was the Safari-land speed loader held the rounds rigid ed in the speed loader, and instead of twisting the release, you just pushed in speed loader into the cylinder and it automatically released them. Far faster than the old HKS. In my prime using Safariland speed loaders, I could draw from the holster, fire six, reload and fire six more all Safari land in under 10 seconds center mass using magnum ammo. You should be able to do better using target loads.

[Evil Dog]

The opinions I've gotten so far is that Safariland Comp 2's are quicker to use but HKS hold the cartridges more securely... less likely to accidently dump them.  Also the HKS hold up to continued use a lot better then the Safariland.  No real winner between the two.  Currently using the HKS version but am seriously thinking of giving the Safariland ones a try.

Can't say as I am any speed demon when it comes to reloading somehow going a little slower seems to work better.

Did see a video clip last week.. think it was Jerry Mucelik (or however that is spelled).  6 shots out of a wheelgun, reload and 6 more shots.... all in less than 2.5 seconds !!!!  Somehow I don't think that was a right out of the box S&W he was using.  I do well just to do the reloading in 2.5 seconds.

[Dee]

Dog, I carried these speed loaders on duty. They took a lot of abuse. I have seen far more Hks dump rounds on the ground while the user tried to maneuver them into the cylinder than I EVER saw a Safariland speedloader fail. This is also taking into consideration I was range master, and instructor on the dept. from 1977 to 1996. Safariland comps are by far the more user friendly as they are a push activator where the rounds HAVE TO BE already started into the cylinder, where the HKSs are twist actuated. These Safariland speedloaders were even thrown to each other during simulated officer out of ammo scenarios.
Next time you watch Jerry, take note he is not using speed loaders. He is using moon clips. BIG difference.

[Evil Dog]

Hmm.... guess that I will have to consider ordering some of the Safariland Comp 2's.  At least I think... in your experience, which was preferable the Comp 1 with the smaller button or the Comp 2 with the larger knob?  I am guessing the Comp 2.

I've no experience at all with moon clips.  The closest I have come would have been in the early 60's.  Had a Colt DA (don't remember the model number) which took 45 ACP in half moon clips or 45 Auto Rim.  Wow... that's like 45 years ago !!!  I understand that they are the loader of choice for wheelguns now.  I imagine the cylinder would have to be recessed a bit to make room for them.  Wouldn't have much problem doing that in a recent production revolver but don't think I would even consider it on vintage.  But then again, I have been known to mount a laser sight on a flintlock pistol.