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Old 02-17-2017, 06:42 PM
Diesel Kilgore's Avatar
Diesel Kilgore Diesel Kilgore is offline
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Bear Creek Supply .38spl 158 swc hardcast no gas check, approach to loading these? Bear Creek Supply .38spl 158 swc hardcast no gas check, approach to loading these? Bear Creek Supply .38spl 158 swc hardcast no gas check, approach to loading these? Bear Creek Supply .38spl 158 swc hardcast no gas check, approach to loading these? Bear Creek Supply .38spl 158 swc hardcast no gas check, approach to loading these?  
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Default Bear Creek Supply .38spl 158 swc hardcast no gas check, approach to loading these?

I came across some 300 Bear Creek Supply 38spl 158 hardcast swc.

These are completely smooth around at the base and have no gas check or lube grooves. I am also unsure if they are lubed or not. They are dark grey and appear shiny and satin like, almost like they are coated, so maybe they are lubed?

I have 700x and 231 to load with. I will most likely use some for target loads but would like to work up some to have on hand for woods defense.

Should I approach this bullet like any other cast load? I am only concerned about the sans gas check and if I may need to load lighter or hotter because of that? I'm assuming that without a check the load will have less drag and pressure?

I was going to go off of Lyman data for a 160gr, 3.5-4.9 of 231. I don't know if this is off base, so I wanted to ask first.

These will be used in a 442 and a 8" rifled shotgun insert.

Any recommendations? Any experience with BCS bullets?

Thanks
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Old 02-17-2017, 07:40 PM
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sixtwoniner sixtwoniner is offline
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Bear Creek Supply .38spl 158 swc hardcast no gas check, approach to loading these? Bear Creek Supply .38spl 158 swc hardcast no gas check, approach to loading these? Bear Creek Supply .38spl 158 swc hardcast no gas check, approach to loading these? Bear Creek Supply .38spl 158 swc hardcast no gas check, approach to loading these? Bear Creek Supply .38spl 158 swc hardcast no gas check, approach to loading these?  
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I don't know about the 700x or the 231 I just use other types of powder. I do use the Lyman loading data for cast bullets and trust it completely have for a long time. I would go with the book and not look back. IMHO
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Old 02-17-2017, 08:19 PM
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daniel lawecki daniel lawecki is offline
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Bear Creek Supply .38spl 158 swc hardcast no gas check, approach to loading these? Bear Creek Supply .38spl 158 swc hardcast no gas check, approach to loading these? Bear Creek Supply .38spl 158 swc hardcast no gas check, approach to loading these? Bear Creek Supply .38spl 158 swc hardcast no gas check, approach to loading these? Bear Creek Supply .38spl 158 swc hardcast no gas check, approach to loading these?  
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You'll be fine with 231 a nice load at 3.8 grains. There powder coating of bullets lately. The newest fade no sizing if the mold and coating are correct no leading next to no smoke. the baked on finish could just about be any color under the rainbow.
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Old 02-17-2017, 08:27 PM
apollo99 apollo99 is offline
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Bear Creek Supply .38spl 158 swc hardcast no gas check, approach to loading these? Bear Creek Supply .38spl 158 swc hardcast no gas check, approach to loading these? Bear Creek Supply .38spl 158 swc hardcast no gas check, approach to loading these? Bear Creek Supply .38spl 158 swc hardcast no gas check, approach to loading these? Bear Creek Supply .38spl 158 swc hardcast no gas check, approach to loading these?  
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They are moly coated. They don't foul the bore at .38 spl. velocities. They aren't the most accurate in my revolvers, but that could be me and my shootin'. Over all I was happy with them and would buy them again.
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Old 02-17-2017, 08:28 PM
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Diesel Kilgore Diesel Kilgore is offline
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Bear Creek Supply .38spl 158 swc hardcast no gas check, approach to loading these? Bear Creek Supply .38spl 158 swc hardcast no gas check, approach to loading these? Bear Creek Supply .38spl 158 swc hardcast no gas check, approach to loading these? Bear Creek Supply .38spl 158 swc hardcast no gas check, approach to loading these? Bear Creek Supply .38spl 158 swc hardcast no gas check, approach to loading these?  
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Thanks guys. I'm gonna crank out about 100 this weekend with some 231 and I'll try a handful with 700x.
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Old 02-17-2017, 08:50 PM
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Bear Creek Supply .38spl 158 swc hardcast no gas check, approach to loading these? Bear Creek Supply .38spl 158 swc hardcast no gas check, approach to loading these? Bear Creek Supply .38spl 158 swc hardcast no gas check, approach to loading these? Bear Creek Supply .38spl 158 swc hardcast no gas check, approach to loading these? Bear Creek Supply .38spl 158 swc hardcast no gas check, approach to loading these?  
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You may discover gas check really isn't needed with modern components and standard velocities.
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Old 02-17-2017, 09:32 PM
Ivan the Butcher Ivan the Butcher is offline
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Bear Creek Supply .38spl 158 swc hardcast no gas check, approach to loading these? Bear Creek Supply .38spl 158 swc hardcast no gas check, approach to loading these? Bear Creek Supply .38spl 158 swc hardcast no gas check, approach to loading these? Bear Creek Supply .38spl 158 swc hardcast no gas check, approach to loading these? Bear Creek Supply .38spl 158 swc hardcast no gas check, approach to loading these?  
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I have several types of Bear Creek's bullets. I load RNFP 200 grain .452 in 45 ACP and 45 Colt; RNFP 255gr .377 in 38-55. RNFP; 300 gr. .459 in 45-90; and several more (32-30; 44 Russian/Special & 45-70-405). In all cases I found the perform best from 800 to 1300 fps (Think Black Powder velocities.)

My 38-55 255 load is over a load of Trail Boss and is very slow at 810 fps, but out of my modern High Wall put 20 consecutive shots in a dime sized hole at 100 yard.

My 45-90 300 grain load did 2" at 100 (5 shot group), and I had better results from soft lead bullets in that gun. Which goes to show, you just have to try a bullet and see if a gun likes it! If not try it in a different gun!

Ivan
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Old 02-17-2017, 09:55 PM
Qc Pistolero Qc Pistolero is offline
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Bear Creek Supply .38spl 158 swc hardcast no gas check, approach to loading these? Bear Creek Supply .38spl 158 swc hardcast no gas check, approach to loading these? Bear Creek Supply .38spl 158 swc hardcast no gas check, approach to loading these? Bear Creek Supply .38spl 158 swc hardcast no gas check, approach to loading these? Bear Creek Supply .38spl 158 swc hardcast no gas check, approach to loading these?  
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To check or not to check;that is the question!Guys shooting rifles say that you don't need to use a check under 1600fps.Since handgun Magnum rounds are a little below that(1300 to 1450fps),we shouldn't have to use a check.But I have found that in some cases,they shoot more accurately with one.
As an example,most of my .357 shoot more accurately with them while my sole .41 shoots beautifully without them.And my 44s,well,some like it with while some like it without.
What it all boils down to is experiment.if you can go without them,your reloading is going to be less complicated and less expensive.One thing I've found out;powder like IMR4227 will be more forgiving with bullets sans checks while powders like H110/W296 like'em with.But again,it might just be a question of preferences with my guns.
Have fun and load safely!
Qc
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