Nukes in 38 Super?

[mdi255]

Contemplating the purchase of a 38 Super handgun. I use “Nukes” both 124 and 115 gr in my 9mms and would like to know if they are acceptable in 38 Super reloads?

[Herschel]

On using .355″ diameter bullets for this cartridge I wasn’t satisfied with the cases grip on the slightly undersized bullet. I contacted Lee and was asked how much tighter did I desire it to be? I gave them the ID of a few cases sized using a standard .38 Super die. He told me that Lee could fix me right up.

They sent a Super die marked with a large U and I believe the number 2 on it. It was around $30. Money well spent. I have no issues with .355″ diameter bullets not being held firmly in place. No issues with improper headspacing.

I still use the standard sizing die for .356″ and .357″ bullets. I’ve found no case life issues using the undersized die. From what I’ve read many newer .38 Super barrels are designed to work well the more common .355″ diameter bullets. My pistol is 15 to 20 years old and the vast majority of jacketed bullets down the tube are .355″ diameter. Used a lot of 147gr in the recent past.

Bottom line, the bullets should work fine. Your die set may not. An undersized resizing die may be needed for best performance.

[Jacob Wilcox]

I would say a huge percentage of the customers who buy the nukes are buying them to shoot in .38 super open division.

[Author]

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