Need a little help

[dryfarmer]

I have some Hornady 38 Cal, 148 gr, Lead, HB-WC bullets. Hornady does not list them in the edition 8 reloading book.
I have read all the horror stores about leading the barrels using lead bullets tat to fast a speed. So I have shied away from the lead bullets and stuck with the jacketed or plated bullets only, however bullets are a little hard to find right now and I have a box of these HB-WC's. So was looking for some help with reloading them, I have Unque and Universal powders, would appreciate some suggestion for reloading for the 357 Mag to be used for shooting steel and paper targets.

 

[Nevada Ed]

You can use 357 brass but most shooters use the 38 case if they have them and are set up to load them for target loads in a magnum.

Unique will work but Bullseye or w231 type powders will work a little better with low velocity target loads with the 148 gr wc bullets and will burn a little cleaner for you.

good luck

 

[tappedandtagged]

Those are trash. Mail them to me and I'll "dispose" of them for you at NO CHARGE!

Seriously though, I get no leading in any of my 3 revolvers. Just don't push the hollow bases too much. The pressure will blow the skirts off if you get too hot. Any reasonable published dose of Unique (since you have it) should work.

Edit to add: Alliant's website doesn't show a Unique load with the Speer 148 grn HB SWC, just Bullseye and Red Dot. Find any published data for the 148 HB SWC and start with that. Both Speer and Hornady swage their lead bullets, so you'd be good using Alliant's data on your Hornady, its just too bad they don't list Unique.

Double edit: IF you do get leading, copper chore boy wrapped around a bore mop gets it out nicely. Just don't get copper plated steel. Make sure to get pure copper. I found mine at Wal Greens. No one else carried it. But, at moderate speeds, you shouldn't get much if any leading.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Hornady #9
.38 Special 148gr HBWC
COL 1.180"
Universal
2.6gr 550 fps
2.8gr 600 fps
3.0gr 650 fps
3.2gr 700 fps
3.4gr 750 fps
3.6gr 800 fps

Unique
2.4gr 550 fps
2.7gr 600 fps
2.9gr 650 fps
3.2gr 700 fps
3.5gr 750 fps

These loads will work just as well in .357 Magnum brass although you will probably lose a little velocity from what's listed. These loads are perfectly safe in the .357 Magnum brass although I would be hesitant to use the lowest charge weights in the longer brass. (and of course the COAL will be .125" longer) Hope this helps you...

 

[Clovishound]

I've been using 158 gr Hornady cast SWCs and home cast 140 gr SWCs in .38. I have had little to no leading problems with either one. I get good accuracy with both, with the 140 being the better of the two. I use Universal in the middle of the range.

 

[dryfarmer]

THANK you
Thank you

 

[dryfarmer]

38 special now why didn't I think of that
its on the page before 357 mag

 

[Rule3]

Cartridge Loads - Hodgdon Reloading Data Center - data.hodgdon.com

357 Magnum Load Type: Pistol Powder: Universal BW: 148 Cartridge Information Case: Winchester Barrel Length: 10" Twist: 1:18.75" Trim Length: 1.285" Primer: Winchester SPM 357 Magnum
Cartridge Load Data Starting Loads
Maximum Loads
Bullet Weight (Gr.) Powder Bullet Diam. C.O.L. Grs. Vel. (ft/s) Pressure Grs. Vel. (ft/s) Pressure 148 GR. HDY LHBWC Universal .358" 1.290" 3.5 880 13,700 CUP 4.0 989 17,700 CUP