I was excited to uncover a box of 250, 158 gr. LSWC in the gun room, forgot that I had them (ok, I'm a slob and they were covered up with other stuff), I think I purchased them at Sportsman's Warehouse a few years ago. I noticed that the label says .38 / .357 (.356 dia.), low-velocity. They are HSM brand. I measured a few and sure enough they are .356 dia. Why? .38 Special / .357 Mag wants .358 lead bullets, right? What is the point of a .356 dia. bullet? Is there another cartridge that uses 158 gr, .356 lead?
.356 dia. 158gr lead SWC?
- Thread starter Fullmetaljacket
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I guess you can give them a try in 9mm if you reload them, 356 is pretty standard for them, but not usually 158grain SWC for sure. Strange combination you have there, maybe they are a collector's item. With the tings the way they are today, you might find a buyer for odd bullets. lol Good luck!
low velocity
jcelect
Low velocity is the key word here! Your bullets are probably very soft(close to pure lead) which means they will obturate enough to fill your 357/38 bore. In this case the term "low velocity" means 600-800fps. Above this speed you will probably have bore leading problems!
jcelect
Use those babies up in your .38/.357. It would be a fun experiment to shoot them side by side with the normal dia. slug and see if there really is ANY difference in accuracy. Years ago, I tried using .357 cal. jacketed bullets in my .357Herrett cartridge (which calls for .358"); accuracy was TERRIBLE..... On the flip side, I've seen people shoot .32-20 ammo (.312-.313") thru a .308" bbl on a regular basis. The custom gunsmith told me directly that it was a perfectly safe and common practice.
J.
J.
4barrel
Member
They will probably shoot better in a Colt revolver. You could alox them and keep under 800 fps.
OP
I'm going to load a few to 750 fps +/- and see how they do. I have a bunch of .358 sized of the same 158gr SWC so I can compare side by side. They have a beveled base so not sure how much they will bump up if at all.
3rdgeargrndrr
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I have loaded 147g .356 hard cast projectiles in 38spl. (Low velocity)
I didnt have any leading but accuracy was lacking.
I didnt have any leading but accuracy was lacking.
LoboGunLeather
US Veteran
I have owned Colt .357 mag revolvers with barrel groove diameters as small as 0.354" and similarly sized chambers and forcing cones.
I have also noticed some significant variations in as-cast diameters when using different alloys in the same mold. The softer metals tend to shrink more while the harder alloys show much less shrinkage. In my usual .358-150SWC mold pure wheel weights are typically ~.3575" as-cast, but pure linotype metal will drop at ~.359". My 9mm mold (.356-125TC) shows similar results. My .30 caliber rifle molds (nominal .309" diameter) can range from .3080" to .3105" depending on the alloy being used.
SAAMI sets standards for firearms and ammunition, but there are no real absolutes, only "nominal" standards produced within a range of manufacturing tolerances (materials, methods, tool wear, etc, all result in variations within a range of tolerances).
I suspect that those .356" SWC bullets would do just fine for most uses. The most likely cause for head-scratching would be case neck dimensions after sizing and flaring that could affect bullet seating and/or crimping.
I have also noticed some significant variations in as-cast diameters when using different alloys in the same mold. The softer metals tend to shrink more while the harder alloys show much less shrinkage. In my usual .358-150SWC mold pure wheel weights are typically ~.3575" as-cast, but pure linotype metal will drop at ~.359". My 9mm mold (.356-125TC) shows similar results. My .30 caliber rifle molds (nominal .309" diameter) can range from .3080" to .3105" depending on the alloy being used.
SAAMI sets standards for firearms and ammunition, but there are no real absolutes, only "nominal" standards produced within a range of manufacturing tolerances (materials, methods, tool wear, etc, all result in variations within a range of tolerances).
I suspect that those .356" SWC bullets would do just fine for most uses. The most likely cause for head-scratching would be case neck dimensions after sizing and flaring that could affect bullet seating and/or crimping.
If they are a little loose in your cases, you might have to add a light crimp in the cannelure, even with the light target loads.
My 38's did not like that small of a dia. and accuracy improved past 25 yards with "Fatter bullets".
They will work for short range practice, where just a "Bang" is needed.
Have fun.
My 38's did not like that small of a dia. and accuracy improved past 25 yards with "Fatter bullets".
They will work for short range practice, where just a "Bang" is needed.
Have fun.
Measure some to make sure they are .356". Slug your barrel to make sure of the groove diameter. One thousandth of an inch diameter difference equates to .0005" difference in interference fit/engagement. More than likely the bullet will bump up enough, at lower velocities, and not skid or lead the barrel...
OP
I measured a few, they are right at .356. Had not thought about fit in the case but I typically use a generous crimp so they hopefully wont rattle around too much. Thanks for all the replies.
gwpercle
Member
The question I have is ... Why did you buy them ?
You must have had a project in mind .
You could always Powder Coat them to increase diameter or simply load them ... low velocity ( 2.7 grains Bullseye style) and see how they perform .
Gary
You must have had a project in mind .
You could always Powder Coat them to increase diameter or simply load them ... low velocity ( 2.7 grains Bullseye style) and see how they perform .
Gary
