140 gr or 158 gr bullet?

Roundeye · February 27, 2012, 03:55 PM

I can't decide if I should get 140 gr lead bullets or 158 grain 357 bullets. Im getting them from missouri bullet company, I already bought cci magnum primers. Im new to reloading and have a friend that's been doing it awhile. He's going to show me how to reload. I read on one these forums that bullseye powder burns too fast for a .357 with a longer barrel. What would be a good powder to use?

m&p45acp10+1 · February 27, 2012, 04:16 PM

I would start by recomending a load manual. Lyman Pistol & Revolver 3rd Edition. It will cost you less than $20 closer to $15 in most places. Read the first 75 pages. It walks through the process of selecting equipment, inspecting brass, picking a powder, and bullet, and primer combonation, the steps of reloading. It has good pictures, and illustrations, as well as plain english explinations of the whys in the process of reloading.

Powder and bullet selection will depend on what you are wanting to get out of the cartrige. What are you wanting? Super duper loud kablooey bang with a huge flash of light, and wrist snapping recoil. A nice ballanced increased velocity load to mimic self defense ammo. Hunting rounds for deer or smaller game. Good plinking rounds that are like box ammo.

Only you know that part. What you want them to do makes a huge differance. Read the manual, and make your decision. Then purchase equipment, and supplies. Then have your friend that reloads come help you set up your bench, and walk you through your first few reloads.

Adamantium · February 27, 2012, 05:21 PM

Bullseye works for 357 Magnum. Alliant doesn't publish much beyond 38spl power loads for it but a Lyman manual will publish more powerful loads. Bullseye will not provide top end power that you can get with a slower power but that doesn't mean to can't use it for lower power loads.

140 vs 158 is a matter of preference, both will put a hole in paper. Honestly for target loads unless you are trying to adjust to greater amounts of recoil using 38spl and 38spl +P loads are very common.

m&p45acp10+1 · February 27, 2012, 05:41 PM

I know from my experiences with .38 spcl I like the 158 grainers myself. I have tried several different weights. The 158s seem to do the jobs I want them to do the best.

The manual I spoke of above has more bullet weights/styles, and powder combonations than any other manual in print. Literaly 3 pages with 15 different styles, and wieghts of bullets. Both jacketed, and lead.

overkill0084 · February 27, 2012, 05:42 PM

Bullseye will work quite well for mild plinking/target loads. Much beyond that, you will want something a bit slower. I'd recommend Unique for mid-range to warmish loads. For true boomers, I like 2400. Opinions vary of course.

I like the the MBC 158 gr (.357 Action) bullets. I use a fair amount of them. You can push them pretty hard if your so inclined. Honestly though, either one will work fine. The only variable I can think of that might come into play, is that there is likely to be a greater variety of data for 158 gr bullets. Everyone and their cat makes a 158 gr bullet. 140s, not so much.

David Bachelder · February 27, 2012, 05:48 PM

2400 as mentioned above for .357 Mag. Better yet use Win296.

bossman · February 27, 2012, 09:41 PM

Get the 158 gr bullet.

Super Sneaky Steve · February 27, 2012, 10:14 PM

I think you'll find more data for the 158gr bullets. They also should shoot point of aim for most guns with fixed sights.

I"ve been using 8.0gr of Power Pistol behind a 158gr LSWC with good results for my mid level magnum loads. It shoots 1100fps out of my 3" SP101. It meters a lot better than Bullseye too.

Stick_man · February 27, 2012, 10:38 PM

I personally like the 158gr SWC in my .357 loads. In .38 loads, I have traditionally gone with the 158s as well, but am considering going with lighter 125gr loads just for plinking or bunnies.

You mentioned you purchased some small pistol magnum primers. Before you use them, check the loading manuals to see which primer they recommend for the given powder. Many powders (even in the .357 magnum) do not require the magnum primer and in fact it is recommended against using them. Go with what the manual dictates.

Good luck and be safe. ALWAYS FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES PROVIDED IN THE MANUALS!

joneb · February 28, 2012, 12:53 AM

We need some info on the gun, Barrel length fixed or adjustable sights...........?
Bullseye will work with cast bullets but mag primers may degrade accuracy.
MBC offers different BHN(brinell Hardness number)cast bullets for low or higher velocity, so we need more input.

farmerboy · February 28, 2012, 01:07 AM

I prefer lighter bullets myself and unique powder

Roundeye · February 28, 2012, 03:22 AM

Its a ruger gp100 4"barrel with adjustable sights. I was planing on buying the. 357 lead and using it in the. 38 cases too. Im just reloading for target/plinking.

farmerboy · February 28, 2012, 03:56 AM

Load em and have a blast then reload and do it again.

P-990 · February 28, 2012, 06:56 AM

Get the ".38 Match" 158gr SWC. Add 4.0gr of Winchester 231 powder, .38 Special cases and either a CCI-500 or Winchester small pistol primer. Enjoy! You'll thank us later.

(This load is good for about 750-fps in my 4" S&W 19. And in my 586 it's like shooting a .22. The front sight barely moves on the heavy revolver.

)

hounddawg · February 28, 2012, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Get the ".38 Match" 158gr SWC. Add 4.0gr of Winchester 231 powder, .38 Special cases and either a CCI-500 or Winchester small pistol primer. Enjoy! You'll thank us later.

(This load is good for about 750-fps in my 4" S&W 19. And in my 586 it's like shooting a .22. The front sight barely moves on the heavy revolver. )

That's the exact same load I use shooting from a Ruger SA and my S&W 686. Wife shoots them from her little J frame for self defense practice also. Like you said on the Blackhawk and the L frame it barely lifts the barrel. On the wife's bodyguard it has a little bit of a snap but it is still mild enough where she can go through 25 or so before she switches back to the 9

Uncle Buck · February 28, 2012, 07:27 AM

Heya Roundeye, Welcome to the wonderful, addictive world of reloading.

I use the MBC 158 gr. lead bullet in a lot of my .38 Special and .357 Magnum rounds.

Like the guys have said, get a reloading manual, read it twice. You'll be surprised at what is in there.

For .38 Special:

I use 700-X

Round Nose (RN) bullet: 3.2 -3.8 grains of 700-X. OAL for me is 1.550 Max.

These are for target shooting. I have not noticed any leading in my barrels when I shoot them. Usually use a GP100 or one of my Blackhawk revolvers.

For .357 Magnum:

Powder: 700-X

Bullet: MBC Lead, Semi Wad Cutter (LSWC)

Charge: 3.4 grains to 5.0 grains. The 5.0grains of 700-X will push the bullet to right around 1000 FPS.

As always, start low and work your way up. The less powder you use in each round will allow you to reload more rounds from the bottle.

Have fun and let us know how you make out.

hounddawg · February 28, 2012, 07:39 AM

excuse me for going slightly off topic here but Uncle Buck how clean is 700X ? I like the way the 231 shoots but it can make a mess out of the gun and my hands pretty quick.

Jeff H · February 28, 2012, 07:44 AM

Quote:

excuse me for going slightly off topic here but Uncle Buck how clean is 700X ? I like the way the 231 shoots but it can make a mess out of the gun and my hands pretty quick.

That is probably the bullet lube not the powder. Lead bullets make everything dirty with the soot.

Uncle Buck · February 28, 2012, 07:49 AM

The lighter loads have my note next to them that say:

.38 Special - "3.4 grains Lite recoil - Smokey." I do not have any notes on the other loads. But I know I reloaded over 400 Rounds 3.6 grains.

.357 Magnum - "3.8 grains, very nice, lite recoil." Other loads do not have notes written next to them. I believe this load was developed when I was introducing a new person to shooting and she was afraid of big recoil.

I really need to keep better notes.

hounddawg · February 28, 2012, 08:09 AM

heh , I do too Buck

thanks though

also thanks to Jeff. I never thought about that. I am really more into the long guns than a pistols and never considered the bullet might be the culprit. Since I got back into shooting a few years back all I have shot are the MBC bullets

apologies to the OP for any derailing

Rangefinder · February 28, 2012, 03:56 PM

If in doubt, get both!

I use 158gr SWC and 140gr SWC HP's. (same bullet with a deep cavity HP--I cast my own, so easier to tinker with them). Plinker loads use fast powder, full-house loads use slower powder. (Red Dot for paper punching, and 2400 for the "ooomph" loads).

amamnn · February 29, 2012, 05:19 PM

Berry has a "new" hollow base 148 grain full wadcutter I just tried earlier this week with great results in a .357 mag 6" barrel using Lil Gun. I have loaded some of these bullets in my .38 spcl. also but have not shot them in there yet.

I bought them on the recommendation of three members of one of the clubs I belong to. Those three are #1 #2 #3 in the league centerfire bullseye competition this year............

Caveman4570 · February 29, 2012, 08:36 PM

Roundeye,

Uncle buck is right on the money, If your plinking load .38's Load a lot and have fun. Mag primers wont be needed for the 38. Oh and The list of powders are long , Have fun follow safety first and shoot straight my friend.

February 27, 2012, 05:41 PM	#4
m&p45acp10+1 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 3,930	I know from my experiences with .38 spcl I like the 158 grainers myself. I have tried several different weights. The 158s seem to do the jobs I want them to do the best. The manual I spoke of above has more bullet weights/styles, and powder combonations than any other manual in print. Literaly 3 pages with 15 different styles, and wieghts of bullets. Both jacketed, and lead. __________________ No matter how many times you do it and nothing happens it only takes something going wrong one time to kill you.

February 27, 2012, 05:42 PM	#5
overkill0084 Senior Member Join Date: August 7, 2010 Location: Northern, UT Posts: 1,162	Bullseye will work quite well for mild plinking/target loads. Much beyond that, you will want something a bit slower. I'd recommend Unique for mid-range to warmish loads. For true boomers, I like 2400. Opinions vary of course. I like the the MBC 158 gr (.357 Action) bullets. I use a fair amount of them. You can push them pretty hard if your so inclined. Honestly though, either one will work fine. The only variable I can think of that might come into play, is that there is likely to be a greater variety of data for 158 gr bullets. Everyone and their cat makes a 158 gr bullet. 140s, not so much. __________________ Cheers, Greg “At the core of liberalism is the spoiled child – miserable, as all spoiled children are, unsatisfied, demanding, ill-disciplined, despotic and useless. Liberalism is a philosophy of sniveling brats.” — P.J. O’Rourke

February 27, 2012, 05:48 PM	#6
David Bachelder Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2011 Location: Trinity, Texas Posts: 636	2400 as mentioned above for .357 Mag. Better yet use Win296. __________________ David Bachelder Trinity, Texas I load, 9mm Luger, 38 and 40 S&W, 38 Special, 357Magnum, 45ACP, 45 Colt, 223, 300 AAC, 243 and 30-06

February 27, 2012, 09:41 PM	#7
bossman Senior Member Join Date: November 16, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 996	Get the 158 gr bullet. __________________ NRA life member When the going gets tough, I just open another beer.

February 28, 2012, 06:56 AM	#14
P-990 Senior Member Join Date: May 2, 2002 Location: Only1/2WayThere Posts: 1,316	Get the ".38 Match" 158gr SWC. Add 4.0gr of Winchester 231 powder, .38 Special cases and either a CCI-500 or Winchester small pistol primer. Enjoy! You'll thank us later. (This load is good for about 750-fps in my 4" S&W 19. And in my 586 it's like shooting a .22. The front sight barely moves on the heavy revolver. ) __________________ NRA Master, Highpower Rifle, Across-the-Course NRA Expert, Highpower Rifle, Mid-Range Prone

February 27, 2012, 03:55 PM	#1
Roundeye Member Join Date: June 21, 2011 Posts: 44	140 gr or 158 gr bullet? I can't decide if I should get 140 gr lead bullets or 158 grain 357 bullets. Im getting them from missouri bullet company, I already bought cci magnum primers. Im new to reloading and have a friend that's been doing it awhile. He's going to show me how to reload. I read on one these forums that bullseye powder burns too fast for a .357 with a longer barrel. What would be a good powder to use?

February 27, 2012, 04:16 PM	#2
m&p45acp10+1 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 3,930	I would start by recomending a load manual. Lyman Pistol & Revolver 3rd Edition. It will cost you less than $20 closer to $15 in most places. Read the first 75 pages. It walks through the process of selecting equipment, inspecting brass, picking a powder, and bullet, and primer combonation, the steps of reloading. It has good pictures, and illustrations, as well as plain english explinations of the whys in the process of reloading. Powder and bullet selection will depend on what you are wanting to get out of the cartrige. What are you wanting? Super duper loud kablooey bang with a huge flash of light, and wrist snapping recoil. A nice ballanced increased velocity load to mimic self defense ammo. Hunting rounds for deer or smaller game. Good plinking rounds that are like box ammo. Only you know that part. What you want them to do makes a huge differance. Read the manual, and make your decision. Then purchase equipment, and supplies. Then have your friend that reloads come help you set up your bench, and walk you through your first few reloads. __________________ No matter how many times you do it and nothing happens it only takes something going wrong one time to kill you.

February 27, 2012, 05:21 PM	#3
Adamantium Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 1999 Location: El Paso, TX Posts: 1,021	Bullseye works for 357 Magnum. Alliant doesn't publish much beyond 38spl power loads for it but a Lyman manual will publish more powerful loads. Bullseye will not provide top end power that you can get with a slower power but that doesn't mean to can't use it for lower power loads. 140 vs 158 is a matter of preference, both will put a hole in paper. Honestly for target loads unless you are trying to adjust to greater amounts of recoil using 38spl and 38spl +P loads are very common. __________________ New gun, same ol' shot.

February 27, 2012, 10:14 PM	#8
Super Sneaky Steve Senior Member Join Date: August 9, 2011 Posts: 1,250	I think you'll find more data for the 158gr bullets. They also should shoot point of aim for most guns with fixed sights. I"ve been using 8.0gr of Power Pistol behind a 158gr LSWC with good results for my mid level magnum loads. It shoots 1100fps out of my 3" SP101. It meters a lot better than Bullseye too.

February 27, 2012, 10:38 PM	#9
Stick_man Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2008 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 241	I personally like the 158gr SWC in my .357 loads. In .38 loads, I have traditionally gone with the 158s as well, but am considering going with lighter 125gr loads just for plinking or bunnies. You mentioned you purchased some small pistol magnum primers. Before you use them, check the loading manuals to see which primer they recommend for the given powder. Many powders (even in the .357 magnum) do not require the magnum primer and in fact it is recommended against using them. Go with what the manual dictates. Good luck and be safe. ALWAYS FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES PROVIDED IN THE MANUALS!

February 28, 2012, 12:53 AM	#10
joneb Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2005 Location: Central , OR Posts: 1,888	We need some info on the gun, Barrel length fixed or adjustable sights...........? Bullseye will work with cast bullets but mag primers may degrade accuracy. MBC offers different BHN(brinell Hardness number)cast bullets for low or higher velocity, so we need more input.

February 28, 2012, 01:07 AM	#11
farmerboy Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 1,343	I prefer lighter bullets myself and unique powder

February 28, 2012, 03:22 AM	#12
Roundeye Member Join Date: June 21, 2011 Posts: 44	Its a ruger gp100 4"barrel with adjustable sights. I was planing on buying the. 357 lead and using it in the. 38 cases too. Im just reloading for target/plinking.

February 28, 2012, 03:56 AM	#13
farmerboy Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 1,343	Load em and have a blast then reload and do it again.

February 28, 2012, 07:27 AM	#16
Uncle Buck Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2009 Location: West Central Missouri Posts: 2,592	Heya Roundeye, Welcome to the wonderful, addictive world of reloading. I use the MBC 158 gr. lead bullet in a lot of my .38 Special and .357 Magnum rounds. Like the guys have said, get a reloading manual, read it twice. You'll be surprised at what is in there. For .38 Special: I use 700-X Round Nose (RN) bullet: 3.2 -3.8 grains of 700-X. OAL for me is 1.550 Max. These are for target shooting. I have not noticed any leading in my barrels when I shoot them. Usually use a GP100 or one of my Blackhawk revolvers. For .357 Magnum: Powder: 700-X Bullet: MBC Lead, Semi Wad Cutter (LSWC) Charge: 3.4 grains to 5.0 grains. The 5.0grains of 700-X will push the bullet to right around 1000 FPS. As always, start low and work your way up. The less powder you use in each round will allow you to reload more rounds from the bottle. Have fun and let us know how you make out. __________________ Inside Every Bright Idea Is The 50% Probability Of A Disaster Waiting To Happen.

February 28, 2012, 07:39 AM	#17
hounddawg Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2009 Posts: 4,232	excuse me for going slightly off topic here but Uncle Buck how clean is 700X ? I like the way the 231 shoots but it can make a mess out of the gun and my hands pretty quick. __________________ “How do I get to the next level?” Well, you get to the next level by being the first one on the range and the last one to leave.” – Jerry Miculek

February 28, 2012, 07:49 AM	#19
Uncle Buck Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2009 Location: West Central Missouri Posts: 2,592	The lighter loads have my note next to them that say: .38 Special - "3.4 grains Lite recoil - Smokey." I do not have any notes on the other loads. But I know I reloaded over 400 Rounds 3.6 grains. .357 Magnum - "3.8 grains, very nice, lite recoil." Other loads do not have notes written next to them. I believe this load was developed when I was introducing a new person to shooting and she was afraid of big recoil. I really need to keep better notes. __________________ Inside Every Bright Idea Is The 50% Probability Of A Disaster Waiting To Happen.

February 28, 2012, 08:09 AM	#20
hounddawg Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2009 Posts: 4,232	heh , I do too Buck thanks though also thanks to Jeff. I never thought about that. I am really more into the long guns than a pistols and never considered the bullet might be the culprit. Since I got back into shooting a few years back all I have shot are the MBC bullets apologies to the OP for any derailing __________________ “How do I get to the next level?” Well, you get to the next level by being the first one on the range and the last one to leave.” – Jerry Miculek

February 28, 2012, 03:56 PM	#21
Rangefinder Senior Member Join Date: August 4, 2005 Posts: 2,017	If in doubt, get both! I use 158gr SWC and 140gr SWC HP's. (same bullet with a deep cavity HP--I cast my own, so easier to tinker with them). Plinker loads use fast powder, full-house loads use slower powder. (Red Dot for paper punching, and 2400 for the "ooomph" loads). __________________ "Why is is called Common Sense when it seems so few actually possess it?" Guns only have two enemies: Rust and Politicians.

February 29, 2012, 05:19 PM	#22
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	just to keep the thread going.................. Berry has a "new" hollow base 148 grain full wadcutter I just tried earlier this week with great results in a .357 mag 6" barrel using Lil Gun. I have loaded some of these bullets in my .38 spcl. also but have not shot them in there yet. I bought them on the recommendation of three members of one of the clubs I belong to. Those three are #1 #2 #3 in the league centerfire bullseye competition this year............ __________________ "If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal

February 29, 2012, 08:36 PM	#23
Caveman4570 Junior Member Join Date: February 25, 2012 Location: Colorado Posts: 6	Roundeye, Uncle buck is right on the money, If your plinking load .38's Load a lot and have fun. Mag primers wont be needed for the 38. Oh and The list of powders are long , Have fun follow safety first and shoot straight my friend.