.38 special cast bullet dimensions

[John Hill]

I want to size and lube cast bullets for several 38 special revolvers and not for high performance accuracy. I want one size of die for general loading. (158 gr.) Lee offers a .357 as well as a .358 die. Which would generally be preferable for cast lead?
John

 

[Bomberman]

I want to size and lube cast bullets for several 38 special revolvers and not for high performance accuracy. I want one size of die for general loading. (158 gr.) Lee offers a .357 as well as a .358 die. Which would generally be preferable for cast lead?
John

John,
You may or may not be able to use one die as each revolver is different. You really need to slug the barrel and cylinders of each gun and measure the diameter of the slugs. Add .001 or .002 to the diameter of your slugs and that is your "ideal" size bullet to shoot. Proper fit of the bullet is the most important thing in shooting cast. Your cylinders should be a little larger than your barrel so using a larger bullet in order to seal the cylinder is the key to accuracy. Good luck.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

.358"

Go with the .358" if you haven't already slugged the bbls. & know a different size is needed. It would be the generic size for a lead 38/357 bullet.

 

[Titegroups]

.358, that thousandth will swage to nothing, the 357's ive checked have all been right on the money unlike 45C guns can be. I size mine to .358.

 

[gwpercle]

When I started reloading 38 special, B. C. (before computers), I bought Lyman bullet moulds and the Cast Bullet Handbook 3rd Edition. Every cast bullet in 38 special and in 357 magnum data was sized .357, so I got .357 dia. die. Have been sizing all cast bullets to .357 and have never had any problems with special or magnum loads. Good accuracy no leading.
Now everybody says and just about all written material says .358 is the proper size. Did Lyman give me wrong info. ?
Got the new 4th Edition and low and behold every 38 special is listed as sized as .358! But get this , every bullet in the 357 magnum data is sized .357? So I guess I should get a new .358 die to keep up with the changing bullet diameters. That or just keep on sizing to .357 like I know what I'm doing.

It's all just too confusing. I'm getting a headache, it's Excedrin time....Gary

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

I size ALL my 38/357's at .357. Accurate all my guns with no leading.

 

[Titegroups]

Find what works for you, the lee dies are cheap, you can always size 358 bullets to 357. I dont think youll find that thosandth to mean much but different opions are much easier to come by. I think when it comes to firearms few have tried enougg of anything to gain the perspective needed to be conclusive. Be most carefil of what you're sure of.

 

[27 Man]

I, too, have used a .357 sizing die for my Lyman 358156 and 35891 moulds for the last 40 years. No leading and good accuracy. No plans to change.

 

[rwsmith]

All of the swaged lead.....

You can slug the barrel/cylinders to be sure, but I've bought a few thousand swaged lead bullets from major brands, Speer, Hornady, etc. and they've all been sized to .358". Maybe I got lucky and they just happened to match my bore. When I sold the gun (dagummit) I'd never had lead problems.

 

[ChuckS1]

Save the .357 die for your 9mm cast bullets and use the .358 for the .38 Special loads. Slug your bore, though.