Been trying to work up a Bianchi Cup revolver load meeting the 120K power factor and 1-1/2" groups at 50 yards. So far & hands down the factory Remington 158 Gr RN (target) ammo has the best grouping.

Believe it or not the Magtech 158 gr RN bullet is listed as an "economy bullet" but it's accuracy equals the Remington.

That's the good news, the bad news is that Magtech informed me that they are no longer supplying bullets for reloading - they have shifted production to "loaded ammo" because of consumer demands.

So I'm seeking for a source for 158 RN bullets that resemble the Remington on left and Magtech on right.

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They may shoot good but they are butt ugly. National Bullet Co made some accurate round nose pretty boolits if you could find a design like their's. I have never shot a good group at 50 yards with a bevel base lead bullet.

You might give PENN bullets a call. Have NO idea about shipping to NY But if not get in touch.

From my limited testing the cup base bullet (as pictured) has superior accuracy vs the bevel base. The "long" RN is also more accurate over the flat nose or stubby RN bullets (in my guns anyway).

I am very sorry to hear that MagTec is not making bullets for the loaders any more, for now............

The 158 gr RN in my J frame at ten yards with Trail Boss would put five bullets onto a paper target with all five touching one another, when shot off a sand bag.

A SWC would average .99" to 1.86" from various makers.

Darn the luck.......
Here I am with only one bag of 100 left.

Here is a quote from Magtech when asked if they would be making that lead bullet in the future:

........."While I never say never, it’s highly unlikely we’ll offer components again due to the demand for loaded ammunition.".........

What gun are you using? Do you have to shoot a lead 158 grain boolit? Both boolits look pressure formed. The one on the left looks like a wad cuter with a round nose. It looks like they were designed for under 850 fps. Are you using 38 brass?

The one on the left was pulled from a factory Remington 158 RN (target) round. The one on the right is a Megtech 158 RN bullet. Have all types of brass Rem, Fed, Starline, nickel, brass etc. Like the Federal brass because it is straight wall (no crimp grooves). Using 38 brass and targeting 800-820 fps. Like I mentioned factory 158 GR RN Target shoots 1-1/2" at 50 yards. That "cup base" seems to make the difference.

I'm using S&W K frames with 6" Clark barrels....Clark said they are 1-10.

Looks like the groups I'm getting with the Magtech bullets...I wrote to Berry's asking for a variety sample pack if possible. Right now I'm sold on the dish base bullets.

Speer makes a very close 158 with a small dish. Product #679355

Have had good luck with the Remington , Magtech & Zero 158 RN swaged bullets in 38 special loaded for DR competition . The Remington 158 RN & their 148 HBWC are hard to beat for 38 special target work . They're also getting hard to find as I believe they only make limited runs once a year . When I find them I buy them by the 2,000 case .

Thanks guys..BTW I have tons of swaged 148 BNWC, 148 HBWC and 158 RN (flat base) bullets. Shoot great under 770 fps.

Like I mentioned...Magtech is no longer selling bullets...just loaded ammo. They informed me of this last week.

Armscor makes a 158 jacketed bullet but with an exposed lead dish base that's very accurate and cheap. I used to load some in my 357 Maximum Contender that were the most accurate at 100 yds.

You must be benchresting to shoot a group like that at 50 yds.

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That bullet is similar to these (picture)...my buddy gave me a pack but he can't remember who made them! They shoot well at 50 yards.

I cut one open..that copper is pretty thick? They have a small cup on the bottom. My concern is the K frame forcing cone having a steady diet of them.

BTW: All my testing is double action on a rest at 50 yds.

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Try the bayou 160 RN. Hitek coated bullets. I use them for IDPA PF 126 loads

Ordered their 145 and 160 RN some time ago..still waiting. Didn't have good luck with their 138 BNWC.

Are you saying you can shoot a 2 1/2'' group at 50 yards double action with a K frame?

YES...It's not a big deal!!!...do it regularly. I never shoot single action..all double action, have 6" Clark barrels and UltraDot scopes. My revolvers don't have single action capabilities.


Don't really want to say this but I shot (2) national "open" records at the Bianchi Cup, shot a perfect 1920 at one NRA Eastern Regional Action Pistol Championship years ago.

BTW: This was about 25 years ago...but I can still shoot 2-1/2 groups..which is not a big deal.

I don't know if they have what you need but Missouri bullets are tops in my book.

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Looking at their web page don't see what I'm looking for. I really feel that the "cup base" in combination with a "longer round nose" profile 158 gr round works best in my revolver(s). This bullet profile is exactly what Remington uses in the factory loaded 158 Gr RN "TARGET" ammo which is very accurate and was regularly used during Police Combat Distinguished Matches...must be something there.

BTW: I know the 148 Gr HBWC was supreme for 1500 matches...but the groups open up with the 148 as I hit the 850 fps threshold, plus skirt separation becomes a concern.

sorry, double clutched

Dan

The Hornady swaged LRN is slightly cupped at the base and may work for you. Hard to find right now (what isn’t?) but Buffalo Arms shows them in stock. Good luck both in finding what you need and at The Cup.

Dan

Hey Thanks..that bullet looks worth looking into!...Midway is out but I may have another source to try. The Midway site has positive reviews listed in the comments. Found a video showing the cup base.

Hornady Bullets 38 Cal (358 Diameter) 158 Grain Lead Round Nose Box of

.358" 158 Grain Lead RN Hornady Frontier Lead Pistol Bullets Box of 300 - Jacketed, Lead & Copper Coated Bullets - Reloading Supplies & Accessories - Buffalo Arms

Dan

Thanks...shipping is a killer on that site...may have found another source anyway. Just want 300 to test.

Just a bit over 158gr (160gr), but Hi-Tek coated RN with a beveled base to facilitate loading.

.38 Special 160 grain RN BB /Bag of 500

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Unless you're Annie Oakley!

If you are interested in 160 grain plated I have quite a few I believe they were made by Xtreme I don’t have any plans for them Pm if you like


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Wonder if they look like these 158...with somewhat of a cup on the bottom.

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You might want to check the Oregon Trail Cast Bullet website. I've used a slew of these in my 45s, and they shoot really well. Missouri Bullets might be another choice.

I believe they do I will look & see (They are very slightly cupped)

Temporarily discontinued due to the current craziness, but these are swaged, cup-based bullets. I cannot personally vouch for their accuracy.

38 150 RN – precisionbullets.com

I’m learning now all the ammo I’ve been shooting my entire life has been inferior and has held me back tremendously. I haven’t been able to let my true talent with a firearm be shown.

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Have a feeling that the bevel base affects the flight also....seems like a straight wall with hollow base...works best for me. Have a feeling the bevel base was designed for easier reloading?

I shoot NRA Action Pistol too. I get my bullets locally here in Cheyenne, WY. Chey Cast bullets -- they have a good line up with 100 round "sample packs" so you can try out different types of bullets. I've had good results with their hi tek coated 148 grain DEWC in my K-Frame Open gun. Another good thing about CheyCast--they ship their bullets promptly! Chey-Cast Bullets

Thanks...will give them a try

FYI only..after experimenting with several bullets and weights...I have settled on the GT Bullets "38 cal 130gr lead Hollow Point bullets w/crimp" I'd put a link down but learned that's a no-no here.

Experimented with their 145gr HP and 145gr SWC...the 130 grain HP is shooting sub 1-1/2" groups at 50 yards rested double action, in my S&W K frame with 6" Clarke barrel (less recoil than the 158 also).

Problem is there is now a 5 month wait for GT Bullets...I did locate a mold that duplicates 130 HP 100%, a Lyman Mag 25 furnace and Star lube sizer...don't really want to but I am now casting bullets! While I wait for my GT order to arrive.

I bought (3) pair of the Hogue (rubber) Big Butt grips, also designed and made my own "moving target" scope base...works great.

Sns casting? Extreme bullets?

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I know what a Clark barrel is but who makes The Clarke barrel? I can't google it.

Clark Custom Guns
336 Shootout Lane
Princeton, LA 71067

From their site:

Muzzle steadying match grade bull barrel easily converts S&W® revolvers to PPC-style. Fully threaded, indexed to factory specs with the extractor rod relief already cut. Polished, in-the-white, ready for finishing and installing sights, rails, underlugs, etc. Machined from proven Douglas blanks. Sizes to fit K or L frame guns, .38 caliber only. The N frame barrels are available in .44 Magnum blued steel only, not available in stainless steel. These barrels are machined in house upon receipt of your order. Usually ships within two weeks.


Brownell's also had them. The indexing was spot on, installed both round and slab side barrels.

FYI ONLY: The "castboolits forum" has a link in the "group buys discussion" area related to making another mold group purchase for the MP 360-640 bullet mold.

As mentioned I have the MP 360-640L mold that casts a 130gr LHP plain base bullet. Shoots awesome in my 38spl S&W K frame with Douglas 1-10 barrel...1-1/2" 50 yard groups DA rested. Not sure how they shoot in a stock barrel...but if anyone wants a few to try....I can send some sized to .358.

Just mention this in case you are looking for an excellent bullet to cast. They need an order of 10 before the group purchase initiates. The molds comes with pins to cast, flat nose, penta point, button nose or my favorite hollow point.

Should advise that I bought a Star Lube Sizer that allows face down sizing...my old Lyman was defacing the bullet hollow point noses. With the Star you only handle the bullet once.

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