.38 Short Colt
| .38 Colt | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Technical sketch comparing the .38 Short Colt and .38 Long Colt cartridges | ||||||||||||
| Type | Revolver | |||||||||||
| Place of origin | United States | |||||||||||
| Production history | ||||||||||||
| Designer | Colt | |||||||||||
| Manufacturer | Colt | |||||||||||
| Specifications | ||||||||||||
| Case type | rimmed, straight | |||||||||||
| Bullet diameter | .375 inches (9.5 mm) for original heeled bullets, .358 inches (9.1 mm) for some modern loads | |||||||||||
| Neck diameter | .379 in (9.6 mm) | |||||||||||
| Base diameter | .379 in (9.6 mm) | |||||||||||
| Rim diameter | .445 in (11.3 mm) | |||||||||||
| Rim thickness | .060 in (1.5 mm) | |||||||||||
| Case length | .765 in (19.4 mm) | |||||||||||
| Overall length | 1.2 in (30.48 mm) | |||||||||||
| Maximum pressure (CIP) | 13,000 psi (90 MPa) | |||||||||||
| Ballistic performance | ||||||||||||
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| Source(s): Hodgdon Online reloading data | ||||||||||||
The .38 Short Colt, also known as .38 SC, is a heeled bullet cartridge intended for metallic cartridge conversions of the cap and ball Colt 1851 Navy Revolver from the American Civil War era.
Later, this cartridge was fitted with a 0.358-inch (9.1 mm) diameter inside-lubricated bullet in the 125–135 grains (8.1–8.7 g) range.