OAL for .38 spcl 158 grain cast SWC load

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Pequod

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Just wanted to bounce this off some of you. I loaded several thousand .158 grain lead swc .38 special 5 or 6 years ago, and got out of reloading. I don't remember if those were cast or not, think they were from Precision Bullet because back then the indoor range required some type of coating.

I am now back into it, and have cast 158 grain SWC bullets purchased from a small Chicago area company (Standard Bullet Company). The bullets measure 0.713 in length, and I will be using Titegroup with mixed brass. Hodgdon's website suggests 1.475 overall length for cast 158 grain SWC which seems like a good length to shoot for. The old ones I loaded run about 1.439 - 1.440 but I can't remember where I got the OAL target for those. I don't know what these bullets I have now are modeled on in length as far as a particular bullet to compare, such as Speer, Hornady, etc. The guy who makes them said it is the standard mold for 158 grain SWC, for what that is worth.

For those who buy (or cast) 158 grain SWC and load, what is your OAL and how do you get there? Thanks.

Pequod.
 
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I am using Missouri Bullet Co., 158 SWC and seating to 1.460. trikerider
 
Most lead bullets have a cannelure on them for a crimp and OAL but some like the far right Mag-Tech bullet, without one, will need data from the company or a standard OAL listed in most loading manuals.

1.475" is normally the maximum OAL in a 38 spl but it can be less with 110 or 125 Jhp bullets with different designs.

2drcp3t.jpg


PS; that 1.475" is usually with the 158 LRN design and they do load easier than the wc bullets,to
bad they are only at their best for target practice and jack rabbits.
 
Last edited:
What Ed sed.

OAL in a .38 Special will usually be dictated by where the crimping groove on the bullet is.
 
OAL will depend a lot on the bullet design so crimp into the groove is the best advice. FWIW, a quick check of my records shows 158 gr SWC ranging from 1.43" to 1.45".
 
Hornady 158 gr SWC and LRN (swaged) are the only 2 bullets I reload that don't have a crimping grove. I crimp the SWC to 1.455 while the LRN to 1.475. All the cast SWC I crimp to the grove.
 
The manufacturer sets the proper seating depth with the supplied crimp groove. Crimp into the groove and you're done. No need to worry about OAL as long as the round isn't longer than the cylinder.
 
Crimp cast bullets in the crimp groove...thats what it is there for. No need to waste your time measuring anything. Revolvers aren't concerned with that all mighty OAL thing in the least.
 
MichiganScott said:
I've never actually measure OAL in a revolver cartridge. As long as It's crimped in the crimp groove or cannelure and the cylinder turns, I'm happy.
Click to expand...
Me neither. I always crimp in the groove or cannalure even with near max. loads. I figger the bullet designers knew how much a bullet could enter into the case safely, and located the groove accordingly. Also the folks that tested loads used crrimp grooves for revolver ammo too...
 
Crimp in the groove!

Thanks all. Crimp in the groove makes sense. That is how the ones I loaded years ago look like they were set, I just wanted to refresh my memory.

If you read the Lyman 49th edition book literally though it sounds like they are telling you to align the case mouth in the center of the groove (cannelure). I have always aligned the case mouth in the center of the rim or shoulder just above the groove. I don't think the intent is to have the top edge of the case pushed down into the groove.
 
Does the overall length allow the cylinder to turn? If no, then it's too long...
 
Pequod said:
Thanks all. Crimp in the groove makes sense. That is how the ones I loaded years ago look like they were set, I just wanted to refresh my memory.

If you read the Lyman 49th edition book literally though it sounds like they are telling you to align the case mouth in the center of the groove (cannelure). I have always aligned the case mouth in the center of the rim or shoulder just above the groove. I don't think the intent is to have the top edge of the case pushed down into the groove.
Click to expand...
A roll crimp is pushing (rolling) the case edge (mouth) down into the groove/cannalure. Actually forming the brass down into the bullet's crimp groove...
 
Right on................

You can't lock the front door without a key..........

Put the little dinky do ,into the hole and call it good. :D
 
I agree you are pushing the brass (forming) into the groove, but all the SWC bullets I have seen the edge of the case (mouth) rides somewhere on the last straight shoulder just passed the groove / cannelure. Maybe I need to look at a few more. I need to look at a few more, I guess. Maybe it is a language thing.
 
Ok, let's start over. A bullet with a crimp groove or cannalure, when reloaded for a revolver (.38 Spc. w/158 gr SWC) is seated in the case down to where the mouth is even with the groove/cannalure. Disregard OAL listings in the manual. Roll crimp the case mouth into the groove/cannalure. Period. Not over the shoulder, in the groove/cannalure. This is what we've been trying to communicate...
 
in the groove already

What are you trying to say? :) Just kidding, I get it.

I understand, the case mouth is rolled into the groove, I looked at some I reloaded several years ago and it looked like the mouth was on the shoulder, but upon further review it is rolled slightly in the cannelure just shy of the shoulder. Thanks.
 
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