I'm new to reloading and learning some of the aspects of it. I've been reloading some 38 specials using 358/158 gr LRN. mainly because this seems to be the going set-up. I see several different types and weights. How do you decide which type and weight is the best to use such as practice or self defense etc ?
Bullet weight and design choices
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venomballistics
Member
the answer is ... all of them.
Don't limit yourself to just one bullet ... sure .. start with just one to get the hang of things but after you have load development all hammered out, get into that sand box and play.
You might find a 110 g hollow point to be to light for most things .... good, thats a result.
You might find 158 overpenetrates ... good, thats another result.
You might find a 200G to be a fine hunting load ....
You might find that one trait traded for another to be advantageous from situation to situation.
The key is ... figure out what works for you.
We might bicker about it due to our own work and past results.
its not like we are opinionated in any way
Thats what reloading is about.
9 tenths shooting, and 3 tenths messing around.
yes .. shooting and messing around tend to overlap some. If they don't, the hobby isn't working for ya
Don't limit yourself to just one bullet ... sure .. start with just one to get the hang of things but after you have load development all hammered out, get into that sand box and play.
You might find a 110 g hollow point to be to light for most things .... good, thats a result.
You might find 158 overpenetrates ... good, thats another result.
You might find a 200G to be a fine hunting load ....
You might find that one trait traded for another to be advantageous from situation to situation.
The key is ... figure out what works for you.
We might bicker about it due to our own work and past results.
its not like we are opinionated in any way
Thats what reloading is about.
9 tenths shooting, and 3 tenths messing around.
yes .. shooting and messing around tend to overlap some. If they don't, the hobby isn't working for ya
Going by my own experience. My gun is a fixed sight model. Supposedly, these are regulated from the factory to shoot a 158 grain bullet to point of aim. I have to agree as mine is dead on with 158 grain lead semi wadcutters. I like the flat point of the bullet.Have not heard good things about the LRN type. Would even like to get the lead semi wadcutters in hollow point, but can't find any. I like the idea of expending all the energy in the target. In a self defense situation, I do not want the bullet going thru the bad guy and hitting some one else.
I practice with the load I carry. Only makes sense to me. That way I know the bullet will hit where I aim.
I practice with the load I carry. Only makes sense to me. That way I know the bullet will hit where I aim.
ChiefStealth
US Veteran
I remember, a few years back, I read a magazine article about using hollow base wadcutters... seated upside-down. They weren't much for penetration, but they would certainly expend all their energy in a target. Ha!
Alk8944
US Veteran
Jinx and VB have given good responses. It all depends on what you intend to do. For standard velocity nothing can improve on the 158 gr. Lead Semi-wadcutter. Rocks, cans, wood blocks or paper, none will ever give you an argument.
If you insist on carrying handloads for self-defense, and I won't argue the pros and cons, the "FBI Load" 158 gr. LSWC HP, gas checked or not, loaded to +P equivalent velocities really can't be improved on. The Speer bullet available (sometimes) in bulk works just fine. Yes, it will lead, but that's why you have cleaning brushes and solvent!!
If you insist on carrying handloads for self-defense, and I won't argue the pros and cons, the "FBI Load" 158 gr. LSWC HP, gas checked or not, loaded to +P equivalent velocities really can't be improved on. The Speer bullet available (sometimes) in bulk works just fine. Yes, it will lead, but that's why you have cleaning brushes and solvent!!
Lots of shooters think for light recoil you need to go with the 110gr or the 148wc at target speeds.
I actually got a 158gr LRN equal the 148gr in recoil in my snub
nose with Green Dot, Trail Boss, CFE and w231 powder.
The 125gr lead bullet can be loaded even slower than the 148gr
with accurate loads and even 30% less recoil.
It is even easier to get light loads in LONGER barrels ..........
the snub nose test your patience due to the short barrel that
make an ES and steady loads as hard as finding Hens teeth.
You did not mention your model or barrel length but there are
tons of loads for the 158gr lead bullet in all its shapes and designs.
I will not go into the SD thing..........it has been covered many times.
Good loading.
I actually got a 158gr LRN equal the 148gr in recoil in my snub
nose with Green Dot, Trail Boss, CFE and w231 powder.
The 125gr lead bullet can be loaded even slower than the 148gr
with accurate loads and even 30% less recoil.
It is even easier to get light loads in LONGER barrels ..........
the snub nose test your patience due to the short barrel that
make an ES and steady loads as hard as finding Hens teeth.
You did not mention your model or barrel length but there are
tons of loads for the 158gr lead bullet in all its shapes and designs.
I will not go into the SD thing..........it has been covered many times.
Good loading.
Back to finding a bullet design. First decide what you want from a bullet, then research bullet manufacturers websites for their information on bullet designs. Go through your reloading manual for info on bullet design/purpose. An all around "plinking bullet? Your round nose works ok for that. Target shooting? a full wadcutter is great. A bullet that's accurate at distance and penetrates? A SWC is good for that. High speed personal defence? A light, fast jacketed HP is often used.
FWIW; I started reloading .38 Specials in 1969 and have pretty much decided on a few, all lead bullets. I like a 125 grain RNFP for general shootin' in my .38 Specials and .357 Magnum. I have a mold for 160 grain SWC which works well in my .38s and .357, but I also use a 140, and a 158 gr SWC. For my personal defense house gun I use a DEWC loaded hot with W231.
Finding a bullet for your particular needs is a big part of the fun of reloading. None of my reloading time is wasted, nor are any of my components wasted as I enjoy reloading, and shooting. For me the experimenting is fun...
FWIW; I started reloading .38 Specials in 1969 and have pretty much decided on a few, all lead bullets. I like a 125 grain RNFP for general shootin' in my .38 Specials and .357 Magnum. I have a mold for 160 grain SWC which works well in my .38s and .357, but I also use a 140, and a 158 gr SWC. For my personal defense house gun I use a DEWC loaded hot with W231.
Finding a bullet for your particular needs is a big part of the fun of reloading. None of my reloading time is wasted, nor are any of my components wasted as I enjoy reloading, and shooting. For me the experimenting is fun...
gwpercle
Member
You decide by trying different bullets, powders and powder charges. Finding one that meets your "needs" , is accurate in your gun and you shoot it accurately. That's your pet load. and you do this for all your guns. That's what reloading is all about. Trial and error and range testing.
Some folks don't like the "messing around" aspect, So just pick a bullet. powder and charge combination, load it and shoot it.....
Gary
Some folks don't like the "messing around" aspect, So just pick a bullet. powder and charge combination, load it and shoot it.....
Gary
Calliope
Member
Self defense? I like 158 grain LSWC-HP for self defense in .38, proven over the decades to work in .38. Google .38 special FBI load.
Practice? Just about anything.
I got tired of scrubbing lead out of my bores so I buy plated bullets, mostly Rainier 158 grain flat points over medium speed powders like HP-38, Unique or my personal favorite Universal.
Practice? Just about anything.
I got tired of scrubbing lead out of my bores so I buy plated bullets, mostly Rainier 158 grain flat points over medium speed powders like HP-38, Unique or my personal favorite Universal.
amazingflapjack
US Veteran
.38 choices....
Flat nose wadcutters, especially the hollow base design are very accurate low velocity target rounds. Some like these as defense because the edge cuts. No further explanation needed.
Semi-Wadcutters have an edge to cut a nice hole in the target but the nose is more conducive to longer distance and the harder ones are good for high velocities. The hollow point version makes a good defense bullet.
Full metal Jacket bullets (in my opinion) have no place except in varminting or getting the deepest penetration (sometimes OVER penetration) You can use them for general shooting and some semi auto guns feed better with this type.
Jacketed hollow points are high velocity rounds used mostly for defense rounds or hunting. Most defense rounds are this type. There are some modifications of the JHP like Gold Dots that have a BIG cavity and the Hornady flex tip design.
Match bullets are designed for serious precision shooting.
Gas check are lead bullets with a metal base to prevent fouling.
Lead round nose bullets are good for general shooting but it is generally agreed that they are lousy defense bullets.
PS Jacketed bullets need no lube. Lead bullets do. 'Plated' bullets are an approximation of a jacket that are clean to shoot but that's about the only advantage over lead bullets. Some of the swaged bullets have a dry lube on them that are clean to shoot. I'm starting to prefer coated hard cast bullets over traditional groove lubed because they are much cleaner and not as smoky.
Flat nose wadcutters, especially the hollow base design are very accurate low velocity target rounds. Some like these as defense because the edge cuts. No further explanation needed.
Semi-Wadcutters have an edge to cut a nice hole in the target but the nose is more conducive to longer distance and the harder ones are good for high velocities. The hollow point version makes a good defense bullet.
Full metal Jacket bullets (in my opinion) have no place except in varminting or getting the deepest penetration (sometimes OVER penetration) You can use them for general shooting and some semi auto guns feed better with this type.
Jacketed hollow points are high velocity rounds used mostly for defense rounds or hunting. Most defense rounds are this type. There are some modifications of the JHP like Gold Dots that have a BIG cavity and the Hornady flex tip design.
Match bullets are designed for serious precision shooting.
Gas check are lead bullets with a metal base to prevent fouling.
Lead round nose bullets are good for general shooting but it is generally agreed that they are lousy defense bullets.
PS Jacketed bullets need no lube. Lead bullets do. 'Plated' bullets are an approximation of a jacket that are clean to shoot but that's about the only advantage over lead bullets. Some of the swaged bullets have a dry lube on them that are clean to shoot. I'm starting to prefer coated hard cast bullets over traditional groove lubed because they are much cleaner and not as smoky.
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