Bullets for .38 spl

[Clovishound]

I have been using SWC cast for my model 10s. I need to order some more, as I don't think I want to cast a bunch now that they are readily available again.

I have just about gone through a thousand hard cast 158 grain SWCs. I was using 145 grain home cast prior to December, when my buddy gave me K for Christmas.

I get just a little leading at the beginning of the rifling. A quick brush with a brass brush and some Hoppes gets rid of it. I was thinking about trying out some plated bullets, I like them in 9mm, but like the price of the hard cast. Also, I'm using a 3 die set, and most of the plated I have seen call for taper crimping as they don't have a canelure.

I was wondering about advantages or disadvantages of RN vs SWCs. I will probably stick with 158 grain, as the company I have been getting cast from (Dardas) only has them in 158. If I stick with SWCs, I could save $3 and get 150 grain SWCs. Not sure there would be much difference between the two weights.

What is your experiences between RN and SWC?

They will be shot from a model 10 or two. Paper hunting only.

 

[robertrwalsh]

RN load much quicker into the cylinder. If you are into competition shooting that is the way to go. SWC make a much neater hole, are often more accurate ( though only incrementally so ) and make a much better defense round than the RN does.

 

[Moe Mentum]

My SWC's seem to be more accurate than my RN"S.

 

[Rpg]

I like cast SWC or wc

 

[klausinak]

I'm not a big fan of the plated bullets & like Rpg I generally prefer SWC or WC for punching paper. All that being true, the most accurate bullet I've ever used in my 586 was a Lee 358-158-RNFP. My .38's seem to like HBWC the best, with a button-nosed WC running a close second; my Model 15-4 doesn't seem to care what I feed it. Just my .02

-Klaus

 

[Clovishound]

I've never tried a WC. They look a little strange when loaded. They are thrifty on powder.

 

[forestswin]

I've never tried a WC. They look a little strange when loaded. They are thrifty on powder.

cast Double Ended Wad cutters and swaged Hollow base wadcutters are a blast, and as you say - thrifty on the powder.
Try both

 

[OKFC05]

Also, I'm using a 3 die set, and most of the plated I have seen call for taper crimping as they don't have a canelure.

I use a roll crimp die for non-cannelure plated bullets all the time; just don't overcrimp.

I've never tried a WC. They look a little strange when loaded. They are thrifty on powder.

Not much of a bullseye shooter? That's the norm there.

 

[rwsmith]

RNs least favorite......

I've only shot like one box of lead RNs in my whole life. I never appreciated SWCs until experimenting in the shortages and find them to be ideal for most of my purposes. Shoot em in revolver and semi auto. Much more than HBWC (unless you need extreme accuracy, which for some reason, I don't). Plain WCs are ok but when I start shooting downrange I prefer the more streamlined SWC.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I use to shoot a lot of 148gr DEWC bullets but for the past 2 years I have shot nothing but 158gr LSWC bullets in the .38 Special ammo. The 158gr bullet is perfect for fixed sight revolvers and the shoulder on the SWC cuts a round hole in the paper or cuts flesh on game. It's just about perfect just like it was when it was developed.

I use Missouri Bullets, MasterCast bullets (in Carbondale, IL) or Tennessee Valley Bullets.

 

[elpac3]

bullets for the .38

I have been shooting 148 gr. SWC for league shooting as of late. Shooting 3 gr. Red Dot or 2.8 BE. Good 50 yd. load. Fast to reload with the speed loaders.

Got my bullets from Rim Rock.

 

[alwslate]

My experience with RN vs SWCs is that the RNs are usually more
accurate in my 38 spl plinking loads. The SWCs are thought to be more
effective game getters but on small animals for the pot like rabbits
or squirrels I doubt if it makes much difference. After reading an
extensive reloading article on 38 spl loads I took another look at
Dardas' bullets and saw that he offers the 125 gr RN 9mm bullet in
.358 dia for a much lower price than the 158 gr bullets. This is the
bullet with the shoulder. They did very well for the author of the
loading article. I'm going to order some to try.

 

[Nevada Ed]

The 158 swc and 148 wc are the two "Standard" lead bullets for target work but.............

I have loaded the 125gr RN "Cowboy" and the truncated style bullet in my J frame snub and got nice groups with light target load with fast and slow powders at around 600 fps.

The plated bullets should work out, just don't go to low on the fps, in order to clear your barrel.

 

[Jellybean]

I have always found RN bullets to be more accurate and prefer them for long range plinking due to their ballistic coefficients. SWCs cut nice clean holes in paper which is important in bullseye type competitions and are a little better for hunting or self defense, due to their ballistic coefficients.

Paper will never know the difference, maybe unless you're shooting at longer ranges.

 

[lebomm]

I have moulds for both styles, and when cast of equal quality, of the same alloy, one performs just as well as the other, as to accuracy and bore fouling. That said, I still prefer the SWC for target or game use because of the cleaner hole it punches. I like the RN for rough plinking in less-than-pristine brass that I may lose or have to discard.

JMHO
Larry

 

[bedbugbilly]

I cast all of mine out of range lead - I have a 160 gr WC, a Lee 158 gr SWC and a Ideal 160gr RN. I size them to .358 and tumble lube in a lox/paste wax.

That said . . . . I load fairly mild loads for plinking and use BE. I like both the SWC and the RN. Both seem to be accurate out of all of my 38s. I have barrel lengths of from 2" to 6". Both shoot very well out of my 5" M & P and my 4" Combat Masterpiece. Personally, I like the RN better because it looks more like a "historic 38 special".

I have an original Winchester mold that casts the traditional 160 gr RN and that also shoots well.

I really think you'd be happy with either. Maybe you could get some of each and see which you like best?

I cast a 356-120-TC lead bullet for my 9mm and it drops at .358 from my mold out of range lead. I just tumble lube those in a lox/pastewax and load as cast. The 120 gr TC does a decent job out of my Smiths. It resembles the SWC and loads easily.

Again, I just load for plinking and general shooting - cans, paper, etc. usually around 25 yards or so.

I use a Lee 4 die set - seat and crimp in two separate operations and apply a moderate roll crimp in to the groove of the SWC and RN. The 356-120-TC is intended for 9mm with a taper crimp and only has one lube groove. I just tumble lube it, seat it to the top of the lube groove and moderately roll crimp. Seems to work well out of all of my 38s and it's nice out of my Smith Model 36 snub.

 

[Clovishound]

I have one of the 120 TC molds for 9mm. Mine cast too small for .38. Of course, I also have a 140 grain SWC mold for .38, as well as a .358 sizer. I just don't feel like casting when I can get bullets ready to go for around $7 a hundred. I have way too much work invested in them, and don't particularly enjoy the casting process. I didn't mind casting them when bullets weren't readily available, and that was the only way I could still shoot.

I still have a few of my home cast around. I should load and shoot a few of them with the new powder I'm using and then compare them with the commercial cast before I order more.

 

[RussellD]

Might want to try coated bullets. Bayou bullets will sell sample packs of 100. You might not go back to plain lead or plated bullets.