Converting to cartridge

[cowboyjared]

I remember reading about this on another topic on here somewhere but I cant seem to find it again. If I remember right,  converting a .36 caliber to 38 special you need special bullets that will expand to grip the bore or you need to have a different barrel, and on .44 your can just swap to 45 LC and it will work right away. Is that the jist of it or am I missing something.

[St. George]

I kinda think you really need to re-post this query in 'STORM' - or at the very least, read what's there.

You'll learn all sorts of answers.

Scouts Out!

[Abilene]

Yes, that is the jist of it.  For shooting .38's (which are .357 or .358) in an unlined .36 (which is approximately .370 or larger) barrel you need to use hollow-based bullets.  The hollow base will expand to engage the rifling.  Otherwise you can reline the barrel to .357 (expensive and then you can't shoot cap'n'ball in it unless you buy an extra barrel).  Now, some folks have shot regular .38's in their conversion cylinders and while not too accurate it worked well enough for them.  There is also the option of using heel-based bullets.  See posts in the STORM forum.

[Advertising]

[Tornado]

Yes, that is about the jist.  There are a few ways to convert 36 cal to 38spc but none are as easy as 44cal to 45 Colt. Your options are:  
-You can use hollow based 38 bullets(the easiest but it will have the poorest accuracy)
-You can reline the barrel to .357(little pricey and can't shoot 36 C&B anymore)
-You can ream the conversion cylinder to shoot inside lubed .41 Colt(you will be using obscure components)
-You can shoot heel based bullets and be period correct(you will be using even more obscure conponents and dies)

[Tornado]

I need to learn to typ faster , three posts within six minutes!

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Yes, that is about the jist.  There are a few ways to convert 36 cal to 38spc but none are as easy as 44cal to 45 Colt. Your options are:  
-You can use hollow based 38 bullets(the easiest but it will have the poorest accuracy)
-You can reline the barrel to .357(little pricey and can't shoot 36 C&B anymore)
-You can ream the conversion cylinder to shoot inside lubed .41 Colt(you will be using obscure components)
-You can shoot heel based bullets and be period correct(you will be using even more obscure conponents and dies)

Or you can buy an Uberti '52 Richard Mason conversion and start shooting with .38 Specials.

[Major 2]

1.  My 38 Spec.
2 . another relined to .357
3. Heel based

[cowboyjared]

So am I correct in that 45 LC will switch over to 44 without anything special

[Major 2]

Yes ... .451-.454 = 45 cal.


this is my Colt 2nd. Gen 1860 with it's R&D cylinder.... loves 45 Schofield ,  and Black Hills 45 colts

kinda have to watch OAL with some other rounds, can get a might snug otherwise.