Speer 158 LSWC anyone

[329]

Any experiences with this bullet in mid range 38 special loads?
Thanks!

 

[rockquarry]

Soft, swaged bullets but will work well if they fit your revolver. I think most but maybe not all of Speer's listed loads for this bullet take into account the soft alloy.

However, I'd start with lower velocity loads ang go up until accuracy deteriorates and/or bore leading becomes a problem. My Speer book is old, #13. Perhaps more recent additions have data for some of the newer powders, but it's hard to beat Bullseye or 231 for standard pressure loads.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Here is a 158 gr Lwc from my M49 snub nose, last December at the range.

I find that the 158 Lwc or RN loads a lot faster/easier into a revolver cylinder
and can be a light , fun target load if you keep the amount of powder down.

However you can load the "Boomer" FBI load if you feel the need for speed.

For some reason, w231 did not do well on this outing.
One of those #1 load comes in 4th, thing.

One can never know when a revolver, ammo or shooter
will have a bad day at the range.

 

[329]

Here is a 158 gr Lwc from my M49 snub nose, last December at the range.

I find that the 158 Lwc or RN loads a lot faster/easier into a revolver cylinder
and can be a light , fun target load if you keep the amount of powder down.

However you can load the "Boomer" FBI load if you feel the need for speed.

For some reason, w231 did not do well on this outing.
One of those #1 load comes in 4th, thing.

One can never know when a revolver, ammo or shooter
will have a bad day at the range.

Thank you. What powder besides Unique or Universal do you like? I can never seem to snag either of those

 

[Amp]

Have loaded them with bullseye, power pistol and cfl pistol.
Attempting to get away from hbwc for easy reloads at bullseye league.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Any experiences with this bullet in mid range 38 special loads?
Thanks!

Actually, I only use Unique with 38 special for full or +P loads
and use the faster powders for my target loads.

I like cfe, be86 and HS-6 for the medium powders for target loads,
if you want to use a little more powder in the case, if they give
you better groups.

I found that ball w231 and flake Green Dot are almost the same
in powder amounts and fps
and both do well with target loads with lead bullets.

Good shooting.

 

[biku324]

Use them or the HP version regularly. 4.0 grains of Unique or 4.5 of Longshot.

 

[mtgianni]

If the Speer bullet is the one coated with a mystery wax that is almost clear, it is dead soft and designed for wadcutter speeds.

 

[Paul in Nevada]

I used to shoot a lot of those and yes they are very soft. Remember that throat/barrel fit is a bigger factor in leading than speed or hardness. I used the Speer 13th as a guide when I shot them. I primarily used W231 for everything in those days and the results were satisfactory. Like Ed said I usually saved Unique for +P loads or moderate 357 loads. Accuracy was excellent out of a 6" GP100 but I didn't have a chrony at the time. Best results seemed to be loads a little below max. I rarely load to max data anyway.

 

[Fishinfool]

I once had a box of 1000 of the 240 grain .429 version of this bullet. Dead soft swaged lead, with a dry film lube, they tended to lead up several of my .44's, even at 775 fps. Loose throat fit.

I tried rubbing "Bore Butter" (a muzzle loader lube) on the sides of the bullets lightly with my fingers prior to seating. Although smoky due to the lube, leading was just about eliminated in the problem guns. Something to maybe try if it becomes an issue for you.

Larry

 

[mtgianni]

I once had a box of 1000 of the 240 grain .429 version of this bullet. Dead soft swaged lead, with a dry film lube, they tended to lead up several of my .44's, even at 775 fps. Loose throat fit.

I tried rubbing "Bore Butter" (a muzzle loader lube) on the sides of the bullets lightly with my fingers prior to seating. Although smoky due to the lube, leading was just about eliminated in the problem guns. Something to maybe try if it becomes an issue for you.

Larry

Thanks Larry, A coating of Lee Liquid Alox worked too.

 

[magyars]

I've had good luck with 3.5 gr Red Dot and 158gr LSWC

 

[BE Mike]

All I can say is TEN FEET? I didn't think anyone did handgun accuracy testing at ten feet.

 

[GypsmJim]

My very first handloads for a .38 were made with a $9.95 Lee Loader using these very Speer bullets. It was the best experience in my reloading career.

They leaded up the barrel so bad that I went out and bought a bullet mold and have been casting my own ever since. I can't begin to imagine how much money I saved over the years, plus all the fun with this added hobby.

 

[329]

Well thanks all for the replies. I think I might try the Missouri Bulltes with the HiTEK coating in Brinnel 12. Not that the Speers seem bad but I am not seeing glowing reports. Cheers!

 

[Nevada Ed]

Well thanks all for the replies. I think I might try the Missouri Bulltes with the HiTEK coating in Brinnel 12. Not that the Speers seem bad but I am not seeing glowing reports. Cheers!

The reason there are no "Glowing" reports on the Speer bullet, is that

not much light, can get through, that little, bitty hole.

Like post #12, stated.
Good stuff, Wilber.

 

[Paul in Nevada]

Well thanks all for the replies. I think I might try the Missouri Bulltes with the HiTEK coating in Brinnel 12. Not that the Speers seem bad but I am not seeing glowing reports. Cheers!

They are good bullets and usually inexpensive. If you want something to shoot at standard pressures they are a a great choice. The extra features of the Missouri bullets are unnecessary unless you plan to push them to +P or 357 velocities.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Swaged bullets are made by cold-forming under pressure forcing the lead to flow to the desired shape. This requires either pure lead or a very soft alloy. The softer the alloy the lower the melting point, and the flame temperature of the powder charge can cause the exposed bullet base to soften or melt, resulting in lead smearing and splattering in addition to transfer to the rifled bore.

Swaged bullets generally lack lubrication grooves (due to the die-forming process). Most are knurled around the bullet body which allows minimal retention of wax-based lubricant.

Swaged bullets exist primarily as a means for ammo manufacturers to control production costs, eliminating most of the labor required to produce cast bullets.

Cast bullets are usually produced using an alloy of lead, antimony, and tin to create a harder bullet that withstands pressure and heat better than the soft lead of swaged bullets. Also, cast bullets feature lubrication grooves so a more efficient lubricant can be applied.

Cast bullets can be loaded with powder charges ranging from very light (target applications) to very heavy, allowing greater latitude in results for a variety of purposes.

Even the hardest cast bullets are much softer than the gilding metal surface of jacketed bullets, so they can be accelerated more easily. This allows higher performance levels compared to pressures involved. In many calibers the cast bullets can be safely loaded to produce greater velocities than jacketed bullets.

Those of us who cast our own enjoy good results at very low costs. Those who use commercially cast bullets can achieve good results at significant savings, compared to jacketed bullets.

Like most things in life, compromises are involved. Swaged bullets provide excellent uniformity and performance (including terminal effects) at modest cost. The major downside is a general requirement to keep pressures and velocities at lower levels.

 

[rockquarry]

The reason there are no "Glowing" reports on the Speer bullet, is that

not much light, can get through, that little, bitty hole.

Like post #12, stated.
Good stuff, Wilber.

Yes, with load development (something not as popular as it once was), they work fine.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

Well, Ed... Back last December: was it REALLY "10 feet" or 10 YARDS?

Cheers!