.38 S&W/ Colt NP cast bullet options

[Inland7-45]

I have been looking at different options for cast bullets for my .38 S&W revolvers. I have a pre Victory model BSR and a Colt Police Positive.

I am coming to the end of my last run of reloads using 158 gr RN sized to .359.

I am getting set up to do a casting run for .38 Special Lyman mold # 358429 170gr SWC. The Lyman manual has .38 Spl and .357 data for this bullet, but is not listed in the .38 S&W/ Colt NP data.

The .38 S&W data shows 358311 160 Gr rn, 358477 150gr rn and 195 gr #358430. All tables show data for W231, ACC#5 and SR-7625. I have good supply of all 3 powders.

Has anyone on the forum tried the 358429 in the .38 S&W? Is there any published data for .38 S&W and this bullet?

I will be casting a large qty of these to use in my model 64, 67 and 38-44 HD. I was thinking of sizing some of these to .359 and giving it a try.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

It is 100% safe to use the data for The 195gr bullet but of course you can use more powder than listed if you feel the need. You can also use a charge between the 160gr data and the 195gr data but only if you feel comfortable doing so.

Remember, the Lyman bullet weights in their manual from their molds are reported before they add the lube. Depending upon what lead alloy you use your bullets many not actually weigh 170gr.

 

[DWalt]

You may be aware that you can load the .38 S&W to around .38 Special performance so long as you are not using it in a top break revolver.

The Lyman cast bullet handbook has numerous recipes for the 158 grain RN bullet 358311 in the .38 S&W. Top loads (which are conservative for solid frame revolvers) include Bullseye - 2.6; Unique - 3.7; SR 7625 - 2.9; and 231 - 2.5. There are no heavier bullets shown in the Lyman manual.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

You may be aware that you can load the .38 S&W to around .38 Special performance so long as you are not using it in a top break revolver.

..The Lyman cast bullet handbook has numerous recipes for the 158 grain RN bullet 358311 in the .38 S&W. Top loads (which are conservative for solid frame revolvers) include Bullseye - 2.6; Unique - 3.7; SR 7625 - 2.9; and 231 - 2.5. There are no heavier bullets shown in the Lyman manual.

I'm sorry to disagree but I'm not sure which Lyman manual you are using but even the newest, the 51st Edition and the 4th Edition Cast Bullet Handbook both have data for 3 bullets. They have the bullet you posted and the 150gr bullet and the 195gr bullet posted by the OP.

 

[Inland7-45]

38 S&W cast bullet options

Thank You all for your replies and inputs. The manual that I use for almost all of my cast bullet reloading is Lyman's 4th edition cast bullet book. The 38 S&W page shows 160 gr RN, 150 gr and 195 gr RN. The 170 gr SWC appears on the 38 Spl and 357 Mag pages. The 170 gr looks like it would work well in the 38 S&W but Lyman has not yet published loading data for it in the 38 S&W. I am confident that I would be safe starting with the minimum charge weight for the 160 gr or starting at mid point between 170 gr and 195gr. Especially since both of my 38 S&W revolvers are strong enough to handle 38 Spl pressures. I am looking for an economical way to enjoy shooting these revolvers. Since I already have a 4 cavity mold for the 170 gr and use it in 38 Specials I am leaning toward casting enough for both calibers. I already have a .359 and .360 sizer die as well as .358 for the 38 Spl.

I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has used the 170 gr in the 38 S&W.

Thanks Again for getting back to me.

 

[DWalt]

The main issue will be coming up with a load which shoots fairly closely to your guns’ points of aim. The general rule is that heavier bullets will hit higher on the target and lighter bullets hit lower using the same point of aim.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I highly doubt any more load data will be developed for the 38 S&W cartridge. It is for the most part turning into an obsolete cartridge. I know there are MANY guns out there that shoot the 38 S&W but no new ones have been made for Decades. (or there abouts)

I see no reason why a 170gr bullet won't work in the 38 S&W because I load a 170gr bullet in that cartridge from an H&G #512 mold. That bullet has a full caliber flat nose and hits hard! They shoot so well I now load no other. (well except when I load a 200gr bullet for a replica 38/200 round shot in an Enfield revolver)

Thank You all for your replies and inputs. The manual that I use for almost all of my cast bullet reloading is Lyman's 4th edition cast bullet book. The 38 S&W page shows 160 gr RN, 150 gr and 195 gr RN. The 170 gr SWC appears on the 38 Spl and 357 Mag pages. The 170 gr looks like it would work well in the 38 S&W but Lyman has not yet published loading data for it in the 38 S&W. I am confident that I would be safe starting with the minimum charge weight for the 160 gr or starting at mid point between 170 gr and 195gr. Especially since both of my 38 S&W revolvers are strong enough to handle 38 Spl pressures. I am looking for an economical way to enjoy shooting these revolvers. Since I already have a 4 cavity mold for the 170 gr and use it in 38 Specials I am leaning toward casting enough for both calibers. I already have a .359 and .360 sizer die as well as .358 for the 38 Spl.

I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has used the 170 gr in the 38 S&W.

Thanks Again for getting back to me.

 

[nbedford]

There's 38S&W and 38S&W-380 200. I traded for a Victory model regulated for the 38S&W as it was stamped on the barrel. But it was regulated at 20 yards for the 380 200 British variation. I got in a set of 38S&W Dies and first tried reloading with hollow base wad cutters; however they shot at the bottom of the target at 15 yards. So I not having the mold for the 200 grain bullet, I got a hundred 200 grain MK2? from Matt's Bullets. Loaded with 2.2 grains of Bullseye. They shot to point of aim. Matter of dwell time and how the Victory model was regulated.

 

[38SPL HV]

It is 100% safe to use the data for The 195gr bullet but of course you can use more powder than listed if you feel the need. You can also use a charge between the 160gr data and the 195gr data but only if you feel comfortable doing so.

Remember, the Lyman bullet weights in their manual from their molds are reported before they add the lube. Depending upon what lead alloy you use your bullets many not actually weigh 170gr.

…sound advice!

 

[smithra_66]

I have been looking at different options for cast bullets for my .38 S&W revolvers. I have a pre Victory model BSR and a Colt Police Positive.

I am coming to the end of my last run of reloads using 158 gr RN sized to .359.

I am getting set up to do a casting run for .38 Special Lyman mold # 358429 170gr SWC. The Lyman manual has .38 Spl and .357 data for this bullet, but is not listed in the .38 S&W/ Colt NP data.

The .38 S&W data shows 358311 160 Gr rn, 358477 150gr rn and 195 gr #358430. All tables show data for W231, ACC#5 and SR-7625. I have good supply of all 3 powders.

Has anyone on the forum tried the 358429 in the .38 S&W? Is there any published data for .38 S&W and this bullet?

I will be casting a large qty of these to use in my model 64, 67 and 38-44 HD. I was thinking of sizing some of these to .359 and giving it a try.

The 358429 is actually better in Special cases since it's too long in magnum cases for N frames or Colt E or I frames.

I load hunting loads in the Special cases with it for that reason, and Elmer Keith indeed developed it for the 38 Special before the 357 Magnum hit the scene, so they are GREAT for that caliber.

I've never tried them in 38 S&W. They are pretty long for that cartridge with it's limited powder capacity, but they may work fine. I load the 358311 over 5 grains of black powder, but that's just because the only 38 S&W I have is a break top.

 

[DWalt]

5 grains of BP seems like it would be very puny. I have the information somewhere, but I remember that the old US factory loads with 146 grain RN lead bullets of the late 19th Century used BP charges of around 16 grains. I’d have to dig it up to be sure.