Which hardnessMissouri Bullet 158 gr SWC for .38SPL/357?

[rc51kid]

I want to load up some Missouri Bullets 158gr swc in 38 SPL for my 642 and 686. I would like to load these bullets up as a good all-round training/practice rounds. I don't want some type of paper only super light load. I would like the option of loading them with enough velocity to be a real mid level to hot 38 spl. This will be my "bread and butter" 38 SPL round. I am happy to buy a small quantity of light soft bullets for super soft loads and I will buy special heavy JHP for hunting. But I would like this round to do everything else.

So my question is what hardness would you buy? I have been told that the 12 brinell 38 spl bullets are only good up to 850 FPS. I would like to push it faster than this in the 686 if possible. Also if I got the 18 brinell I could use them in 357 loads as well. I looked around on the web and it looks like most other companies use hard cast or 18 brinell bullets in 38 SPL. I could be wrong but it I think is this is what I was seeing, right? Will the 18 brinell work loaded to a med to hot 38spl? Is the soft cast 12 brinell really only for the super light cowboy shooting? They do say "cowboy" on them in the add.

I might be looking for the impossible, but I would really love a 158gr bullet that I could use in 38 and 357. Am I asking the impossible? Which would you go with?

 

[m1gunner]

I did exactly what you describe. I went with the softer lead for a full 38 sp load (not +P).

In the past I always went with hard cast when given a choice. They tended to lead my bores somewhat (not excessive, though). So far, these softer MB pills don't lead like the hardcast I had been using.

For velocities in the 357 mag range, I would order the harder bullets.

 

[Rule3]

I use MBC in all calibers. I just bought a box of both.

12 BHN for light loads in 38spl and 18BHN for full Magnums.

I shoot the soft ones at 700-800 in a M 67 38 spl and they are accurate and just right for target shooting.

You can't push the bullets very hard out of a 2" barrel in the 642 so I just use the soft ones. If you push the real soft ones too fast in the 686 you will probably get leading.

They are cheap enough to buy a box of both, but if you only want one get the harder ones. How much lead are you gonna get in a 17/8" barrel? Easy to clean. But on the other hand how many full house magnums loaded with H110 or 2400 are you gonna shoot?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

You can push the softer bullets to 1000 fps without leading in most cases. If you're very worried keep it under 900 fps. IMO the 12BHN bullets are best for those velocities but if you want real magnum velocities/pressures you're probably better off with the 18BHN bullet. If you're going to keep the Magnum loads under 1000 fps I would stick with the softer bullets. If you are going to build real magnum ammo @ or above 1200 fps the harder bullets will be necessary to avoid excessive leading.

 

[CWH44300]

You can push the softer bullets to 1000 fps without leading in most cases. If you're very worried keep it under 900 fps. IMO the 12BHN bullets are best for those velocities but if you want real magnum velocities/pressures you're probably better off with the 18BHN bullet. If you're going to keep the Magnum loads under 1000 fps I would stick with the softer bullets. If you are going to build real magnum ammo @ or above 1200 fps the harder bullets will be necessary to avoid excessive leading.

sounds like good advice to me

 

[DodgeCity1951]

I agree with ArchAngelCD - I tried the 18BHN with medium 357 loads with Winchester 231 or Unique powder and got some leading, but using heavier loads with Winchester 296 there was next to none. The 12BHN don't lead appreciably in any 38 special load I've tried, though I don't usually load much over the middle of the recommended loads.

 

[daveg1469]

I've used the 12 BHN with 4 grains of 231 with my 64
and found it to be accurate. Leading was a non issue.

Just the right amount of snap. Very pleased.

 

[Somerled]

I just fired a batch of 12 BHN Missouri cast bullets loaded to +P through my 642. There wasn't any significant leading--using a wipe-away cloth on front of the cylinder and around the forcing cone was the only thing I did different compared to cleaning after firing jacketed bullets.

None of the cast SWCs I've bought off shelves around here come close to 12 BHN. They are soft from the lack of antimony. They also lack tin so that they don't fill out the molds well. They will lead if pushed much past 800 fps just like bullets I've cast from straight wheelweight alloy, which is around 9 BHN.

There's some technical notes on the Missouri Bullet Company's website regarding the BHN of alloys and leading.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I've used the 12 BHN with 4 grains of 231 with my 64
and found it to be accurate. Leading was a non issue.

Just the right amount of snap. Very pleased.

My favorite .38 Special load is a 158gr LSWC over 4.0gr W231.

 

[mack1]

The fit between bullet and barrel will be more important with the harder bullets as they will not swell as easy with the reduced loads if they happen to fit leading may not be an issue. Where the lead is in the barrel can tell a lot, at throat bullet is to small or hard along the entire boar to soft or fast. I had horible leading with cast in my 38 loads until I started casting my own, undersize and to hard was my problem. If primarly loading 38s I think I would start with the softer ones and see what works.