Best Bullets for Reloading

[Richardf8]

[FONT=&quot]Currently I have X-Treme bullets (158 SWC) copper plated bullets, but I know of many different brands. I plan on reloading 38 special, 357 magnums, 44 magnums, 44 special, 45 ACP and 9mm for target shooting.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]What are the best ones to use, Speer, Hornady, Barns, Berry, etc? [/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]Any help would be appreciated [/FONT]

 

[roscoepc]

For my 500 I use 350gr JHP Hornady's for hunting and Berry's 350gr SN Plated bullets for Target practice.. No problems with either!!

 

[ReloadforFun]

It's mostly dependent on the application. If you want to plink with your 44 Magnum, a cast or coated bullet would likely lend itself to the endeavor. Wandering around where you may encounter bear, a jacketed Hornady or Speer or such may off er greater effectiveness with deep penetration, reliable expansion and bullet integrity.
Similar thoughts for other cartriodges.

 

[reddog81]

I use Rocky Mountain Reloading for 9mm jacketed bullets and sometimes they have good deals on others. I watch MidwayUSA's factory second bullets selection for other random stuff. A lot of what shows up there is just factory overruns that they sell off as "seconds".

 

[rockquarry]

[FONT=&quot]Currently I have X-Treme bullets (158 SWC) copper plated bullets, but I know of many different brands. I plan on reloading 38 special, 357 magnums, 44 magnums, 44 special, 45 ACP and 9mm for target shooting.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]What are the best ones to use, Speer, Hornady, Barns, Berry, etc? [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Any help would be appreciated [/FONT]

Not that easy. Best to try as many as possible.

 

[78bagger]

For range ammo I like SNS Casting coated SWC.

 

[BC38]

It's mostly dependent on the application. If you want to plink with your 44 Magnum, a cast or coated bullet would likely lend itself to the endeavor. Wandering around where you may encounter bear, a jacketed Hornady or Speer or such may off er greater effectiveness with deep penetration, reliable expansion and bullet integrity.
Similar thoughts for other cartriodges.

Yup. "BEST" depends on what it is being used for.
Best for paper punching - probably a cast bullet - maybe powder coated...
Best for hunting medium sized game - probably a jacketed soft point.
Best for dangerous game (like bear or moose) a heavy-for-caliber jacketed.
So the definition of "Best" is both subjective and use-dependant.

 

[DoubleH]

I use Xtreme plated bullets for almost all of my target/plinking loads. I use lead Hornady lead HBWC for Model 52 target work.

 

[tominboise]

Might check out Zero bullets as offered by Roze distributing, Wideners and others. They make high quality jacketed bullets, along with some swaged offerings. I've had good luck with them. I've come to prefer a real jacketed bullet over a plated bullet. I do like a good cast bullet, lubed or coated, for general target shooting and plinking.

 

[Autonomous]

For target work, cast semi-wadcutters are great. For dangerous game, hard cast semi-wadcutters are great. Hi-Tek coating is very popular for a reason.
I used to look down my nose at cast lead bullets, imagining jacketed were always superior. I was wrong.

 

[68Dave]

Maybe look at casting your own. It's not hard and can be an enjoyable part of our hobby. Make the bullets that you want.
David

 

[colt_saa]

There is no single BEST

It is all dependent on what you want to do with which cartridge

In handgun cartridges I hand load 22TCM, 380ACP, 38 Special, 9MM Parabellum, 38 SUPER, 356TSW. 357 Magnum, 10MM Auto, 10MM Magnum, 41 Magnum, 45ACP, 45 SUPER, 475 Wildey, 500 S&W and probably a few I forgot

Each cartridge has at least one target/plinking load along with at least one Performance load. Sometimes several of each

Over the last 4 decades I have come into favorites in many(most) of those categories. When I find a favorite, I stockpile that projectile. I tried to keep a 2 year supply on my shelf when I young and competing.

The projectile provider you are currently using is very good for the casual target/plinking category, but falls short on the personal defense, hunting and some of the competition needs

This is a great era to be hand loading in, we have cast, swagged, plated coated, jacketed and other styles available to us

I moved about 5 years ago and my back hurt . . . Over 96,000 various handgun projectiles were in the loading room. That does not include rifle or the stockpile of lead for casting

There is stuff that I have moved from each of the manufacturers that you have mentioned.

I suggest that you start a thread in the reloading section for each cartridge. Remember to discuss the uses and needs especially of there is more than one

The Pandemic gave me time to sell and ship the bulk of all those years of accumulating

 

[38SPL HV]

Try Missouri Bullets 158 gr SWC (12 BNH hardness). Great prices and an accurate and reliable bullet. Easy to reload. Once you progress, check out Matt's Bullets (Lyman 358477 SWC) and GT Bullets (155 gr SWC dual crimp). Throw in some Rim Rock 170 gr Keith SWC's and you'll be well covered for all your 38/357 needs.

Also checkout their bullets for your other caliber needs besides 38/357.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

When ON $ALE the Hornady HAPs are pretty hard to beat for overall accuracy, IMHO...

But there are a lot of others to try: as they say, "Your results may vary!"

Cheers!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm sorry I can't help you but as said, there is no such thing as the "best" bullet. I know that's not what you want to hear, but it's true.

There are so many choices for all different uses plus a bullet that shoots well in my guns might not shoot well in yours. I use a lot of cast bullets and from several.different sources like the Missouri Bullet Company, full wadcutters f2rom Speer and from Hornady. I rarely use plated bullets, it's just not worth it for me.

 

[Ruger 13]

I cast my own bullets for everything I shoot/own. From 22 hornet to 45/110 and everything in between!

 

[sheppard]

For loading 158 grain .38 special with velocities near factory normal swaged lead bullets work the best for me. I've used Remington, Speer and Hornady.

 

[IAM Rand]

Your question is kinda like asking what tires do I put on my vehicle. Any bullet that is the correct size for the gun is a good bullet. What do you plan on using it for? Are you going to jump off the deep end and start casting your own bullets?

For target shooting I would go with lead. There are some good places to get wadcutters and semi-wadcutters. Best for target. Casting will cut down on the costs in the long run. Short run, you will be paying to get all the equipment. Just depends on which side of the pool you plan on diving into.

 

[Nevada Ed]

There is lead, coated, plated and factory jacket bullets that all work.

Some of my pistols or revolvers do better with a certain "Material" bullet
than the others, as well as finding the correct bullet weight, for the job at hand.

If loading your ammo, there is the type of primer, powders, OAL, crimp pressure,
and proper fit to the certain gun, in use.

Have fun.

 

[austintexas]

Best

Yep, Paper doesn't care what you shoot it with, Cast bullets are usually cheaper.
SWCA 892