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I have been shooting for over 40 years now, and I have probably shot more .38 specials than all other center fire calibers combined. Up until the last year or so I have always used a 148 grain HBWC over 2.8 grains of bullseye to reload for target shooting and have had very good results. Recently, someone gave me about 2000 158 grain round nose lead bullet heads so I loaded them up and started shooting them out of a 4" M-15, a 6" M-586, and various 2" j-frame snubbies. To my surprise, they are more accurate than the wad cutters! They do not cut as clean a hole in they target, but they shoot great and lead up the barrel much less than the wad cutters. Just curious if anybody else has experienced similar results.
Chief38 |
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Chief,
The only complaints I'm aware of with the 158 gr RN was poor performance in scoring (not cutting holes good) and poor terminal performance on flesh targets. I don't believe accuracy was ever an issue. |
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one thing Ive observed with wad cutters is their tendency to tumble near, or above super sonic velocities. I suppose it is possible for the aerodynamics that effect them at high velocities could also contribute to some deviation at low velocities.
I dont believe that one general category of bullet (wad cutter, semi wad cutter, RN, TC .....) will contribute to bore leading moreso than any other type. That seems to be more function of how the shank of the bullet is designed. it needs some meat in the forcing band at the base, as well as the top band where it'll first engage the rifling. between these bands it must carry enough lube for the job. These things satisfied, lead fowling can be minimized or eliminated entirely |
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If you want to continue using 158 gr bullets after you use up your current supply get some semi-wadcutters. They cut nice round holes in the target.
I shoot, therefore I am. |
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ron is correct, speer 158 gr. sw, for superb accuracy and very lethal on small game. i got accuracy equal to wadcutters.
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Exactly the same experience. For the most accurate lead bullet you will ever find try a good 158gr truncated cone.
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Currently I use home-cast 148gr Lee TLWC over 3 gr 231 for plinking and bullseye because they are cheap and very accurate.
I use 158 gr plated TC or RN for IDPA because they are easy to load and smoke less. I have hard-cast 158gr SWC for heavy loads, including .357. As long as I keep the loads to the proper pressure/velocity, there's not all that much difference in inherent accuracy. |
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I've found that 158gr LSWC will be as accurate or more accurate than 148gr LWC bullets. I use both depending upon which I can buy for the best price at the time. I just bought 2k 158gr LSWC Laser Cast bullets from Cabela's because the price was just too good to pass up.
_____________________________________________ A bad day of fishing is still better than a good day at work! - NRA Member - |
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Sgt Preston here. I also shoot lots of 38 specials & started out using 148 grain DEWC but have switched over to the 158 grain SWC. I shoot these out of a 6" Ruger GP110 Stainless Revolver. Both cut nice holes in paper, but I have noticed that the 158 grains "fly" better & seem to group closer together. I also get some keyholing or tumbling with the 148 grain DEWC. However when it's all said & done, they'll all go to the X ring if I can do my part correctly. Sgt Preston USMC LLA
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Sgt Preston, do you know the velocity of your DEWC loads that are tumbling? Does a smaller charge lessen that effect?
If the women don't find you handsome...., They should at least find you handy. |
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Hi Forester, unfortunately I do not know the speed & don't have access to a chronograph. I charge my rounds with Win 231 & have tried loads ranging from 3.3 to 3.5 & they all seem to tumble BUT they also all seem to go to the X Ring? I don't shoot competition so I guess that's good enough. Oddly enough, there seems to be less tumbling at the higher charges. I started out at 3.4 grains & went up to 3.5 & then down to 3.3. I'm currently shooting the 3.5 load, but I've pretty much switched over to the 158 grain SWC. For some reason, I just like the 158's better. I've still got about 7-800 loaded 148's to shoot. I may come back to the 148's if I ever get to own a Model 52. Sgt Preston USMC LLA
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Yes, I agree with what many others have found out, the 158 grainers can be superbly accurate in 38 Special. Speer 158 SWC or RN both always give me exceptional accuracy.
I think the key with HBWCs is to keep the velocity as low as possible, and only use pure lead ones so they obturate well to cut down on the leading. I also have some unreasonably hard cast 148 DEWCs that do well (from TNT Reloading), but ONLY if you bump their velocity up. Otherwise they will tumble and lead up the bore like nobody's business. But they were cheap, had a good lube on them that smells like beeswax and make decent plinking loads. I think I'll continue with Speer 158s for the most part though when they are gone. -----The function of wisdom is to discriminate between good and evil. -- Marcus Tullius Cicero |
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You may not have a chrono, but I do. I also recently chrono'd some double ended WC, with pretty close to what you are loading. Here are some stats: 3.5 231, 148 DEWC, Federal Brass, Federal 100 Small Pistol primers. Ambient temps ~55°. Average 876.5 FPS. 3.4 231, 148 DEWC, Federal Brass, Federal 100 Small Pistol primers. Ambient temps ~55°. Average 869.7 FPS. I only shot these across the chrono, not target time with them. Mike ___________________ Just another hired gun non illegitimae carborundum |
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Here are a couple of aids for scoring when shooting RN bullets:
  There are others available from the NRA as well. Click Here Of course I fought down the urge to answer the title to this thread by stating that the most accurate bullets are the ones that have the smallest group in the target!  SKIP USMC 1973-1979 Born Again 1983-Eternity! .................................................................................... (John 17:17) KJV Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. "Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. The Marines don't have that problem" - Ronald Reagan   Unashamedly Christian, American, Male, all three of which are currently under attack! |
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Venom Ballistics wrote:
How does one tell that bullet is tumbling? Is it different from keyholing? Thank you, Mike ______________________ 9x19, 9x29R, 9x33R, 10x22 |
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