.38 Long Colt Conversion Cylinder

[The Goose]

So I have a Pietta .36 snubnose percussion revolver that I acquired a .38 Long Colt conversion cylinder for. The cylinder just drops right in and functions perfectly. The issue is that the bore for a .36 is .375 - .380 and the 38 Long Colt is .357 same as a .38 special. Some people have the barrels re-lined to .357 as an option. Some use a heeled bullet, but there can be chambering issues with the conversion cylinder. The third option (and my choice) is to use a soft lead hollow base bullet that should bump up with a black powder charge and expand into the rifling. To that end I bought a brass mold from Old West Bullet Molds that throws a 150 gr hollow base bullet that I size to .358 and load over 16 grs if Goex 3f. I will report back once I get a chance to try it out.

 

[38ExtraSpecial]

Ohhh Thats nice!
I've heard of guys using a gas checked bullet and basically using the gas check shank as the heel. Have you ever done this in any cartridge?

 

[EddieCoyle]

Cool revolver

 

[Knob Creek]

I wonder if .38 Special loaded with wadcutters would work. I think I have some
38 Colt brass if you need some more.

 

[45collector]

Very cool. A buddy of mine has that same gun (although I think it's a .44).