158 gr plated swc

[Buckeye shooter]

Hello folks,
I just picked up a box of Xtreme Bullets 158 gr swc, not looking for load data just curious if anybody uses these and how the accuracy is compared to cast 158's.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Depends on your distance & needs. Most people say cast is more accurate. I quit using cast lead bullets because I got tired of leading issues. Now I only use Xtreme's plated. If I can keep them within a 2" bulleye, off-hand, at 15yds I'm happy. I can & I am.

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[Nevada Ed]

I like plated for pistol work where only a friction crimp is needed.

I like a deep crimp grove on my 38 and 357 loads and I am not
happy with what comes on a plated bullet.

Lots of loaders like them for "Light" target to medium loads where
they will work with a slight crimp to the jacket.
However bullet "Jump" will happen if the loads are too heavy or the crimp too light.

Good day.

 

[Collo Rosso]

I like Xtreme's 158gr. SWC's, but as Nevada Ed said, for light loads. I've found them accurate with WST and W231 when kept under 900fps or so. I don't own a 38/357 taper crimp die and have found you can roll crimp right through the copper coating. I've pushed them pretty hard without problems but noticed really dirty brass from, I'm guessing, the light crimp not letting complete powder burn.
When I load with mid range and up powders out come the coated bullets from MBC, SnS or Bayou in traditional SWC shape. Now a good roll crimp can be done helping powder burn as coated bullets can be pushed pretty fast.
I've found the same with 44 caliber. I've also found plated bullets great for my semi-auto rounds but starting to prefer coated for revolver.

 

[scattershot]

I like their bullets, and use them in .38, .40, and 45ACP with good results. As others have said, use a light crimp.

 

[fredj338]

You can generally plug them into your case lead bullet load. Jut watch the crimp & you should be fine. Me, I still refuse to shoot jacketed or even plated in my revolvers. They only see cast lead & now coated lead bullets.

 

[Buckeye shooter]

Thank you for the info, I recently lost the outdoor space that I have used to shoot for the past 15 years so I have been looking at alternate loads for indoor range use. I have never used plated or coated in any revolver so this is just a little different for me.
Thanks again

 

[SLT223]

Boringly accurate over fast powder at 38 velocity.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

If I'd found they were only accurate at 38 Special speeds or <900fps I wouldn't be shooting them.

Xtreme rates them to 1200fps (standard plated) & most of my favorite/accurate loads are in the 1025-1075fps (load manual indicated) range. They're not magnum loads but not 38 Spcl either.

I only use a taper crimp on mine.

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[rwsmith]

Xtreme bullets....

Their bullets are almost like FMJ. I was experimenting with modifying some of their 165 gr. jobs. Man, that plating is TOUGH.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

I pounded them flat with an 8# hand sledge, then cut them with a chisel. The plating cracked but didn't separate. Their hollow-points are heavy plated.

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Xtreme 45-41-357 bullets

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[rockquarry]

As for disparaging remarks on cast bullets... if they fit, and the alloy is right for the load, they won't lead and can be and often are as accurate as any handgun bullet made.

 

[at_liberty]

As for disparaging remarks on cast bullets... if they fit, and the alloy is right for the load, they won't lead and can be and often are as accurate as any handgun bullet made.

But without great interest in casting and modifying guns to suit bullets, one can tire of pursuing that magic formula and just use other bullets.

 

[ontargetagain]

I've shot lots of those! Several different powders with them and they do a nice job across the board. Don't get over aggressive on the crimp groove, if you are shooting paper targets look for clean holes, no shredded holes where you may have stripped plating off the bullet from damaging the plating from over crimping.
Enjoy........
Karl

 

[Wee Hooker]

I've done some experimenting with the x-treme 158gr PSWC and like them allot. If they shoot less accurately than lead semi-wadcutters, the difference is too minuscule for this guy to tell. As with most plated bullets, I've found that taking a favorite cast load an bumping it up .1-.2gr to account for the plating, works just fine. ( Within safe limits of course!)
For this particular bullet, I did my range testing with Bullseye, Tightgroup,HP-38 and Clays. I found 4.2 gr of HP38 ( with very light crimp) was the sweet spot in my mix of revolvers.

 

[SLT223]

If I'd found they were only accurate at 38 Special speeds or <900fps I wouldn't be shooting them.

Xtreme rates them to 1200fps (standard plated) & most of my favorite/accurate loads are in the 1025-1075fps (load manual indicated) range. They're not magnum loads but not 38 Spcl either.

I only use a taper crimp on mine.

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Lets not put words in my mouth now I didnt say they stink past .38 velocity. I have about 2000 Xtreme 125's loaded over 6 gr of csb1 which is a little north of 1000fps.

I will reiterate their .357 lswc is a consistent performer all day over a fast powder. 4.0gr of Clays is very pleasant and smoking accurate out of a dozen or so .357's I shoot.

 

[rockquarry]

at liberty - you're right; cast bullets are not for everyone and commercial bullets are often of the wrong alloy and diameter for the load and gun. There's no magic formula for getting cast bullets right, just straightforward experimentation, but it can be time consuming.

 

[rwsmith]

For a plated bullet...

.... Extremes have one TOUGH shell on them.

 

[cowboy4evr]

I cast my own for yrs and yrs . Wheel weights are not a good medium for casting anymore as too many are either zinc or steel . To buy good quality casting lead at a retail price makes it not cost effective and buying cast bulllets are about same price as plated . I still cast and always will cause I shoot the genuine " Keith " bullets in my revolvers and larger than most commercial casters sell . I size .358 for 38spl and 357 mag , .411 in 41 mag, .431 in 44 mag and .454 in 45 colt . I have the real Keith designed molds from either HG or Northern Valley Machine Co .
I do use plated in semi auto's as I just don't shoot them enough to justify the cost of the mold / sizing die etc . I mostly buy xtreme on the holidays when discounted and free shipping .

 

[GypsmJim]

But without great interest in casting and modifying guns to suit bullets, one can tire of pursuing that magic formula and just use other bullets.

I load 26 calibers in rifle and handgun. Been reloading for 46 years. Initially I had problems with commercial lead bullets because of poor sizing, soft lead or insufficient lube. I have acquired a lifetime supply of wheelweight lead that works 100% for me. I have zero leading. I don't taylor the bullet size or any other parameter for any specific gun - each caliber gets the same.

Its no magic and IMHO my bullets are superior to any storebought variety.