Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Ammunition-Gunsmithing > Reloading
o

Notices

Reloading All Reloading Topics Go Here


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 02-25-2013, 05:14 PM
ltcajh ltcajh is offline
Member
Bullet mold and gas checks .38 S&W Bullet mold and gas checks .38 S&W Bullet mold and gas checks .38 S&W Bullet mold and gas checks .38 S&W Bullet mold and gas checks .38 S&W  
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default Bullet mold and gas checks .38 S&W

Hi all. No luck finding a .360 bullet mold, nor am I finding any gas checks. I plan to load black powder rounds for my 4th model .38 S&W which was just purchased. Thoughts?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 02-25-2013, 07:28 PM
BUFF BUFF is offline
SWCA Member
Absent Comrade
Bullet mold and gas checks .38 S&W Bullet mold and gas checks .38 S&W Bullet mold and gas checks .38 S&W  
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: SLC, Utah
Posts: 5,062
Likes: 739
Liked 3,271 Times in 1,282 Posts
Default

I wouldn't use a gas check mould for that cartridge. Recommended velocities are low enough that you run the risk of one dislodging and sticking in the bore, possibly ringing it on the next shot.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 02-25-2013, 08:26 PM
11e40 11e40 is offline
Member
Bullet mold and gas checks .38 S&W Bullet mold and gas checks .38 S&W  
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: houston texas
Posts: 392
Likes: 57
Liked 99 Times in 51 Posts
Default

.358 lead bullets work just fine in my .38 s&w victory models. hth.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 02-25-2013, 08:34 PM
kimporter's Avatar
kimporter kimporter is offline
Member
Bullet mold and gas checks .38 S&W Bullet mold and gas checks .38 S&W  
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: stamping ground,ky
Posts: 591
Likes: 838
Liked 550 Times in 182 Posts
Default

matts bullets in ark has 361 dia bullets,in 148 gn and 200 gn,cheap prices too
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 02-25-2013, 09:02 PM
ltcajh ltcajh is offline
Member
Bullet mold and gas checks .38 S&W Bullet mold and gas checks .38 S&W Bullet mold and gas checks .38 S&W Bullet mold and gas checks .38 S&W Bullet mold and gas checks .38 S&W  
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

Thanks.
It slugs at .360. I imagine the .358 would be fine too, but would rather be tighter. Midway is expecting some, but I'll look at Matt's Bullets.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 02-25-2013, 09:28 PM
358156hp 358156hp is offline
Member
Bullet mold and gas checks .38 S&W Bullet mold and gas checks .38 S&W Bullet mold and gas checks .38 S&W Bullet mold and gas checks .38 S&W Bullet mold and gas checks .38 S&W  
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 728
Likes: 97
Liked 224 Times in 149 Posts
Default

Most early Ideal moulds drop .360 or so. I have a couple like that. Guys can't seem to give away Lyman 360271 moulds on the auction sites. If you want 200 grainers, try Lyman 358430 and juggle alloys a bit. This moulds a favorite of some of the gun rag 'riters. And lastly, NOE has quite a lot of .360 moulds in stock, and has a copy of the original 380-200 British mould scheduled for a group buy in a couple of months. Where have you been looking? They're all over the place.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 02-26-2013, 07:22 AM
ltcajh ltcajh is offline
Member
Bullet mold and gas checks .38 S&W Bullet mold and gas checks .38 S&W Bullet mold and gas checks .38 S&W Bullet mold and gas checks .38 S&W Bullet mold and gas checks .38 S&W  
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

I looked up Lee moulds on Midway, Cabellas, Ebay, AuctionArms, Gunbroker, and Track of the Wolf. In my old breaktop I read not to use 200 grain. I'll look at the Lyman you suggested. You folks have given some good leads, thank you.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 02-26-2013, 08:17 AM
imashooter2's Avatar
imashooter2 imashooter2 is offline
Member
Bullet mold and gas checks .38 S&W Bullet mold and gas checks .38 S&W Bullet mold and gas checks .38 S&W Bullet mold and gas checks .38 S&W Bullet mold and gas checks .38 S&W  
Join Date: May 2003
Location: PA
Posts: 1,215
Likes: 144
Liked 445 Times in 188 Posts
Default

Night Owl Enterprises sells a number of molds at a nominal .360. The one I had dropped .362. I wanted it for .38 Special and .357 magnum and traded it off. They also sell a 200 grain mold at .364 nominal just for .38 S&W. NOE molds are not inexpensive, but they are pretty good quality. Link:

.364, NOE Bullet Moulds
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 02-26-2013, 10:06 AM
ArchAngelCD's Avatar
ArchAngelCD ArchAngelCD is offline
Moderator
SWCA Member
Absent Comrade
Bullet mold and gas checks .38 S&W Bullet mold and gas checks .38 S&W Bullet mold and gas checks .38 S&W Bullet mold and gas checks .38 S&W Bullet mold and gas checks .38 S&W  
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Northeast PA, USA
Posts: 8,877
Likes: 1,029
Liked 5,070 Times in 2,660 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by BUFF View Post
I wouldn't use a gas check mould for that cartridge. Recommended velocities are low enough that you run the risk of one dislodging and sticking in the bore, possibly ringing it on the next shot.
I agree, especially if you're using Black Powder. Actually, you should use a soft alloy when using Black Powder to be sure you can seal off the gasses when using a powder that generates such low pressures.

I suggest a plane base bullet and an alloy that will drop 10 BHN or even lower.
__________________
Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 02-26-2013, 09:48 PM
358156hp 358156hp is offline
Member
Bullet mold and gas checks .38 S&W Bullet mold and gas checks .38 S&W Bullet mold and gas checks .38 S&W Bullet mold and gas checks .38 S&W Bullet mold and gas checks .38 S&W  
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 728
Likes: 97
Liked 224 Times in 149 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ltcajh View Post
I looked up Lee moulds on Midway, Cabellas, Ebay, AuctionArms, Gunbroker, and Track of the Wolf. In my old breaktop I read not to use 200 grain. I'll look at the Lyman you suggested. You folks have given some good leads, thank you.
A new production mould would be like finding a hens tooth, but as I mentioned, the 360271 is a specific .360+ bullet, and Even my old 358311 Lymans drop at 360. Look for moulds marked "Ideal". I wouldn't use 200 gr in a breaktop either. Remember to cast bullets soft for black powder. 1:20 or 1:16 tops. Don't use wheelweights either, but you probably already know that.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 02-27-2013, 10:27 AM
ltcajh ltcajh is offline
Member
Bullet mold and gas checks .38 S&W Bullet mold and gas checks .38 S&W Bullet mold and gas checks .38 S&W Bullet mold and gas checks .38 S&W Bullet mold and gas checks .38 S&W  
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

I bought old plumbing lead. Hard to tell how soft it is except for how easily dented.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Got another Lee bullet mold Mikeinkaty Reloading 3 02-04-2017 02:18 AM
WTB..bullet mold F75gunslinger WANTED to Buy 0 03-28-2016 02:05 PM
Bullet mold growr WANTED to Buy 2 07-06-2013 09:40 PM
WTT BULLET MOLD Babalooie Accessories/Misc - For Sale or Trade 2 12-28-2011 04:54 PM
nrw bullet mold? michael thornton Reloading 11 02-28-2010 10:08 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:49 PM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)