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Old January 17, 2013, 06:51 AM   #1
rebs
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38/357 mag cast bullets ?

What weight bullets are you guys reloading for your 38 and 357 mag ? Where do you buy them, what brand ?
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Old January 17, 2013, 07:08 AM   #2
biganimal
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I load 148 gr DEWC, 158gr Swc, 148gr LRN, & 200gr LRN, all cast by me in my garage.
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Old January 17, 2013, 08:21 AM   #3
spacecoast
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158 gr. LRN or LSWC is probably the most common/popular for .38 special target loads. You can also use them in .357, but for anything running over 1000 fps I use Berry's plated bullets, and for hot .357 mag loads I use JHP from Rocky Mountain Reloading.

Note - light (125 or 110 gr.) bullets have been known to increase flame cutting (wear of the top strap) of revolvers in .357 mag.
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Old January 17, 2013, 08:47 AM   #4
reloader28
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I cast all mine.
My favorite is 165gr RF. I like it in 357 and 38.
100grFN and 130grRF both shoot pretty good in my 38's too.
150gr RN use to shoot good in my gun, but I quit using them when I got some bullets with a usable flat nose. Round nose is good for nothing but penitration.
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Old January 17, 2013, 09:36 AM   #5
jmortimer
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For hunting and Self-defense I think Beartooth is the best. Oregon Trails laser Cast, Rim Rock (Supplies Buffalo Bore), Penn Bullets, Missouri Bullets, Dardas Cast, Matt's Bullets, Carolina Cast, Magnus, Meister and so on and on. They will all work. I like big meplats and some of these listed don't go there and have no LBT style bullets.
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Old January 17, 2013, 12:10 PM   #6
TheBear
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158gr flat nose and 170gr keith style bullets all day long!
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Old March 10, 2013, 03:31 PM   #7
perazzi
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target group from today on my Lee Pistol rest. Magnus 148 HBWC.

.38 special PPC gun.

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Old March 10, 2013, 04:44 PM   #8
Jbotto
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I use 158gr SWC from Missouri Bullet Co. I have liked them a lot so far!
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Old March 10, 2013, 05:21 PM   #9
Boomer58cal
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I cast my muzzleloader balls/bullets but for center fire pistols I have found a soft spot for Laser cast Oregon trail silver bullets. You can run them hard, shoot one hole groups and the penetration is nothing short of amazing. Nuff said.

125g or 155g for 38sp

155g or 165g for .357 mag.
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Old March 10, 2013, 05:41 PM   #10
Hammerhead
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I use swaged lead 158 grain SWC's & SWC-HP's from Hornady, Speer and Magnus, plus 140 grain swaged LFP's from Hornady.

I shoot some cast 148 DEWC's from Penn as well.

IMO, the swaged 158 LSWC-HP from Magnus is the best all around bullet under 1,000 fps for the .38 and .357.
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Old March 11, 2013, 07:04 AM   #11
Viper225
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I have been buying from stock at my local dealer. I think they are Missouri Bullet Company. I can order them cheaper, but it is handy to buy from my local dealer. I also want him to keep stocking bullets, so I do not have to order them.

I load 158 Round Nose for Steel and Defensive Pistol.
For BUG Match ammo I am running 125 Round Nose.

I also cast myself from time to time, when I have time. I have a 6 Cavity Lee 158-R2 Mold. I also have a Lyman 358156, 158 SWC-GC.

It is bad when you are retired, and too busy to cast bullets.

Bob
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Old March 11, 2013, 09:08 AM   #12
Old 454
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I use 158GR Hard Cast from SNS Casting, there a BN 17 so you can load them a little hotter then a soft lead.
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Old March 11, 2013, 10:44 AM   #13
iraiam
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I cast my own 158 grain cast SWC with a gas check, I shoot them at full power.
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Old March 11, 2013, 10:50 AM   #14
chiefr
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Cast my own too. 148WC & 155-165SWC behind 2.8 -3.0gr Bullseye.
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Old March 11, 2013, 11:33 AM   #15
David Bachelder
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I cast my own.
125gr Flat Point
145gr Hollow Point
150gr Semi Wad Cutter
All Alox tumble lubed

I shoot the 125's in the .38 Special (very accurate, they even make me look good).

I shoot the 145gr HP's in a 38S&W, .38 Special and .357mag.

My best and most accurate is thr 150gr SWC in the .357. I shoot them in a Henry Rifle and a Ruger BlackHawk. They are amazing in the Henry.
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Old March 11, 2013, 11:34 AM   #16
Tennessee Jed
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So far I've been using Rimrock 158 grain LSWC. Been very pleased with them. However, Rimrock's prices just went up, so I'm about to try a batch from Missouri Bullets. I'm right at the point where the prices from vendors are about to convince me to start casting my own.
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Old March 11, 2013, 11:51 AM   #17
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I use Rimrock too. 158g SWC (15 BHN) mostly although I have used the 125 TC too in the past. Settled on the 158g bullets though for all my peanut shooting needs. I too noticed the price increase. Might have to start looking for a new vendor even though I am very satisfied with the bullets. I also buy .44 and .45 bullets from Rimrock also.

I think I am going to look into gathering equipment to start casting this year too.....
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Old March 11, 2013, 11:55 AM   #18
TriumphGuy
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158gr cast SWC from http://mastercast.net/ftp.mastercast...t_Bullets.html.

I buy all of my cast handgun bullets from these folks.
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Old March 11, 2013, 12:03 PM   #19
Ranger185
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I am with David I am casting the 125gr flat point and sizing it for my 38 & 9mm. It makes a very accurate round and allows me to cast a lot and use for both. We punched the centers out of a lot of targets yesterday with 4 different pistols 2--38s and 2-9s........
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Old March 11, 2013, 12:14 PM   #20
Voyager2011
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I load 125gr TCFP and 158gr SWC. I get them from Falcon Bullet Company. www.falconbullets.com
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Old March 11, 2013, 12:35 PM   #21
CADILLAC HOOSIER
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I've loaded several thousand 158 gr LSWC from Berry's and been extremely satisfied. Have recently been driven to purchase a few thousand of other brands, but haven't loaded any of them yet. 158 LSWC seem to give best accuracy in my old Blackhawk.
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Old March 11, 2013, 01:45 PM   #22
Don P
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140 grain Zingers
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Old March 11, 2013, 04:55 PM   #23
schmellba99
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125 and 130 grain RNFP from www.friendswoodbullet.com for my .38's, and 158 JHP's for my .357 (Magtech I think is what I have - don't shoot .357's all that much and bought 250 or so several years ago that I haven't finished shooting yet).
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Old March 11, 2013, 07:05 PM   #24
kgpcr
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148 DE Wadcutter. Hard cast by myself
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Old March 12, 2013, 06:11 AM   #25
CMD-Ky
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Missouri Bullet Company several weights and design.
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