Hi, just getting into reloading and I've done a search but couldn't find a good overall bullet that's affordable and good for plinking.

I'm shooting out of a S&W 627 5" barrel and would prefer plated/jacketed bullets over lead for now. I've dealt with leading in my barrel in the past and I know there are ways to avoid it, but for now I'll take it one step at a time.

After reading through.. I'm already going to get possibly:
• Unique powder
• CCI or Winchester primers (I'm guessing I won't really need magnum primers for now)
• Brass from my once fired factory ammo or buy some more 357 brass from Starline Brass (please let me know if there are cheaper brass that is still good out there).

Now I'd like to know what bullet grain and type is a good all-around starter for 38sp and 357mag (still have a lot of 38 brass so I'll need bullets for them until I have nothing but 357). Looking through previous threads, seems like Montana Gold and Missouri are both good places to purchase bullets. Any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance for any help and feel free to put in any additional input on tidbits I may have missed.

If lead is not a consideration, I would probably go with copper plated flat points, or possibly round nose, 158 grains. You can even get 148 grain WCs that are copper plated. Note that copper plated is not the same thing as a copper jacket.

3 to 3.5 grains of Unique underneath a 158 grain SWC lead bullet should not lead your barrel up, this is one of the classic all time plinking bullets and loads for it. The 627 should easily shoot pretty much forever with this load. It's a 38 Special target load, and along with some of the other classic target loads in 38 Special, it should be all you'll ever need for plinking, even with the 357.
Once you start pushing things up in to the north side of 1000 fps, then you will want to start looking at copper jacketed bullets. But even this isn't always so, there are lead bullets that can be fired at magnum velocity without leading your barrel up. For example, the 173 grain Keith, with the 10:1 lead/tin alloy.

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Geoff. Since 1960.

Thanks for the info. I definitely saw 158 grain repeated when I was looking up info so its good you've confirmed it.

158 gr. If you do not want lead, then try some plated like Berrys

Hp 38 was made for the 38 special, Unique, Bullseye all work as well.

Only issue I see is if you have standard 38/357 dies, they will roll crimp and if you over crimp you will dig into the plating so you may want to get a taper die for the 38/357 caliber.

You can use the roll crimp die just to smooth out the flare.

Any brand primer will work, no you do not need magnum primers for the above powders.

Brass, if you have your once fired factory brass then that's all you need it will last a long time, you only need as much as you will shoot in an outing. Maybe 100 to 200? Don't buy new brass. If you do, Starline is actually the best and costs less than the other brands.

http://www.berrysmfg.com/products-c1..._Cal_.357.aspx

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Still Running Against the Wind

So would you guys simply just use 158 grain for both 38 and 357 loads for general plinking?

I use 158 gr FP bullets in both 38 and 357 for general practice from the revolvers. Any decent reloading manual will have numerous loads for that bullet weight -- both lead and jacketed. I like Bullseye for general plinking but there are a lot of fans of HP-38. I went through a phase of using Power Pistol and HS-6 but I finally got it out of my system.

These 'knurled and dry lubed' Hornady's are good choices
although they do produce a little dust on the press....
I use them frequently and they work very well [and can
be bought elsewhere]
Hornady Manufacturing Company :: Bullets :: Handgun :: Choose by Caliber :: .358 38 CAL

These Berry's Plated are great....and I shoot a bunch.
[note: on the 148gr wadcutter Berry's suggests a minimum
of 800fps...{?} I have asked them for particulars and no one
has been able to explain why....just don't, they say]

38 / 357 plated pistol bullets

Missouri Bullets are also a good choice, I use several

Missouri Bullet Company

I buy lots of stuff at Grafs....they don't rip you on shipping !!

http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/...ategoryId/555?

Yes, it is the generally accepted do all bullet. Actually a 158 gr LSWC but you said you do not want lead.. Some indoor ranges do not allow lead so that's why I suggested the Berrys, I do not use them for revolvers, I did use them for semi autos a while back.

If you get HP 38 or Unique you can load 38 special and mild 357 Magnums, if you are just shooting paper there is no need for full house, barn burning magnums.

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Still Running Against the Wind

Missouri Bullet 158 gr lead...brinnel 15 ~ 18 with 5.1 grain Unique and small mag pistol primers in a 38 case. My good +P load for steel J-frame on thru my N-frame Outdoorsman. Minimal leading at the throat that cleans right out with a wire brush.

Ranier copper plated bullets in any caliber/grain. Any brass you can get is good. Don't shy away from lead. Illinois Bullet Co. cast bullets are awesome. Load them sensibly, and you'll have NO leading problems.

As has been said - we can't beat the 158 grainers. I purposely avoid lighter boolits for my 38's and 357's. Wadcutters, SWC's, whatever. From 150 on up, they generally work well. enjoy Mike

Good day - Ive been loading for many years, commercial and now just for a hobby. 158 grain lead over 2.9 of bullseye and or 148 grain HBWC over 2.7 grains bullseye. I have used the above loads for the past 25 years and shoot abit of bullseye but maninly PPC with the above loads. Posted just for your interest, try these loads the are comfortabe and very accurate. One of the canuck shooters. Have a good one.

I use 158g berrys bullets they are great