38/357 mag cast bullets ?

rebs · January 17, 2013, 07:51 AM

What weight bullets are you guys reloading for your 38 and 357 mag ? Where do you buy them, what brand ?

biganimal · January 17, 2013, 08:08 AM

I load 148 gr DEWC, 158gr Swc, 148gr LRN, & 200gr LRN, all cast by me in my garage.

spacecoast · January 17, 2013, 09:21 AM

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.

reloader28 · January 17, 2013, 09:47 AM

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.

jmortimer · January 17, 2013, 10:36 AM

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.

TheBear · January 17, 2013, 01:10 PM

158gr flat nose and 170gr keith style bullets all day long!

perazzi · March 10, 2013, 04:31 PM

target group from today on my Lee Pistol rest. Magnus 148 HBWC.

.38 special PPC gun.

Jbotto · March 10, 2013, 05:44 PM

I use 158gr SWC from Missouri Bullet Co. I have liked them a lot so far!

Boomer58cal · March 10, 2013, 06:21 PM

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.

Hammerhead · March 10, 2013, 06:41 PM

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.

Viper225 · March 11, 2013, 08:04 AM

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

Old 454 · March 11, 2013, 10:08 AM

I use 158GR Hard Cast from SNS Casting, there a BN 17 so you can load them a little hotter then a soft lead.

iraiam · March 11, 2013, 11:44 AM

I cast my own 158 grain cast SWC with a gas check, I shoot them at full power.

chiefr · March 11, 2013, 11:50 AM

Cast my own too. 148WC & 155-165SWC behind 2.8 -3.0gr Bullseye.

David Bachelder · March 11, 2013, 12:33 PM

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.

Tennessee Jed · March 11, 2013, 12:34 PM

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.

rclark · March 11, 2013, 12:51 PM

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.....

TriumphGuy · March 11, 2013, 12:55 PM

158gr cast SWC from http://mastercast.net/ftp.mastercast...t_Bullets.html.

I buy all of my cast handgun bullets from these folks.

Ranger185 · March 11, 2013, 01:03 PM

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........

Voyager2011 · March 11, 2013, 01:14 PM

I load 125gr TCFP and 158gr SWC. I get them from Falcon Bullet Company. www.falconbullets.com

CADILLAC HOOSIER · March 11, 2013, 01:35 PM

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.

Don P · March 11, 2013, 02:45 PM

140 grain Zingers

schmellba99 · March 11, 2013, 05:55 PM

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).

kgpcr · March 11, 2013, 08:05 PM

148 DE Wadcutter. Hard cast by myself

CMD-Ky · March 12, 2013, 07:11 AM

Missouri Bullet Company several weights and design.

January 17, 2013, 07:51 AM	#1
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 1,598	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 ?

January 17, 2013, 08:08 AM	#2
biganimal Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2001 Location: south carolina Posts: 434	I load 148 gr DEWC, 158gr Swc, 148gr LRN, & 200gr LRN, all cast by me in my garage. __________________ Other than That, Mrs Lincoln, How was the play?

January 17, 2013, 09:21 AM	#3
spacecoast Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: Sunshine and Keystone States Posts: 3,405	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. __________________ My guns include S&W and Colt revolvers, Colt and Ruger pistols, Remington 870 shotgun, Henry and Marlin .22LR rifles, Hi-Point 9mm carbine and Lancaster Arms AK. I reload handgun rounds with a Lee hand press, over 18K rounds since Nov. 2009 with nary a squib nor kaboom.

March 10, 2013, 05:44 PM	#8
Jbotto Senior Member Join Date: February 8, 2010 Location: MN Posts: 312	I use 158gr SWC from Missouri Bullet Co. I have liked them a lot so far! __________________ "No experience is so conductive for steady and accurate shooting as the knowledge of the impossibility to escape by speed." -Sir Samuel Baker

March 10, 2013, 06:21 PM	#9
Boomer58cal Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2013 Location: closer than you think Posts: 294	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. __________________ The number one cause of death in the 20th century. 290,000,000 citizens were first disarmed and then murdered by their own governments. This number does not include those killed in war. In the U.S sticks kill twice as many people a year as guns. Doctor malpractice kills 12 times as many people a year as people with guns do. Last edited by Boomer58cal; March 10, 2013 at 06:28 PM.

January 17, 2013, 09:47 AM	#4
reloader28 Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: nw wyoming Posts: 840	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.

January 17, 2013, 10:36 AM	#5
jmortimer Junior member Join Date: January 24, 2010 Location: South West Riverside County California Posts: 2,765	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.

January 17, 2013, 01:10 PM	#6
TheBear Senior Member Join Date: April 11, 2011 Posts: 217	158gr flat nose and 170gr keith style bullets all day long!

March 10, 2013, 04:31 PM	#7
perazzi Junior Member Join Date: January 14, 2010 Location: Hell, Michigan Posts: 7	target group from today on my Lee Pistol rest. Magnus 148 HBWC. .38 special PPC gun.

March 10, 2013, 06:41 PM	#10
Hammerhead Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,182	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.

March 11, 2013, 08:04 AM	#11
Viper225 Senior Member Join Date: September 20, 2009 Location: SC Missouri Posts: 454	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

March 11, 2013, 10:08 AM	#12
Old 454 Senior Member Join Date: August 15, 2011 Location: Chesterton Ind. Posts: 216	I use 158GR Hard Cast from SNS Casting, there a BN 17 so you can load them a little hotter then a soft lead.

March 11, 2013, 11:44 AM	#13
iraiam Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2012 Location: Lakewood, CO Posts: 401	I cast my own 158 grain cast SWC with a gas check, I shoot them at full power. __________________ NRA Lifetime Member Since 1999 "I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people except for a few public officials." George Mason

March 11, 2013, 11:50 AM	#14
chiefr Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: AR Posts: 776	Cast my own too. 148WC & 155-165SWC behind 2.8 -3.0gr Bullseye.

March 11, 2013, 12:33 PM	#15
David Bachelder Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2011 Location: Trinity, Texas Posts: 407	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. __________________ David Bachelder Rookie reloader, but learning fast Trinity, Texas I load, 9mm Luger, .40, 38 S&W, .38 Special, .357, .45ACP, .45 Colt, .243 and 30-06

March 11, 2013, 12:34 PM	#16
Tennessee Jed Member Join Date: July 14, 2010 Posts: 67	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.

March 11, 2013, 12:51 PM	#17
rclark Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2009 Location: Butte, MT Posts: 1,255	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..... __________________ A clinger. When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns. Single Action .45 Colt (Sometimes improperly referred to by its alias as the .45 'Long' Colt or .45LC). Don't leave home without it. Ok.... the .44Spec is growing on me ... but the .45 Colt is still king.

March 11, 2013, 12:55 PM	#18
TriumphGuy Senior Member Join Date: October 5, 2009 Posts: 559	158gr cast SWC from http://mastercast.net/ftp.mastercast...t_Bullets.html. I buy all of my cast handgun bullets from these folks.

March 11, 2013, 01:03 PM	#19
Ranger185 Junior Member Join Date: February 6, 2013 Posts: 5	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........ __________________ "I'd rather be FREE than risk-free"

March 11, 2013, 01:14 PM	#20
Voyager2011 Member Join Date: February 3, 2013 Posts: 16	I load 125gr TCFP and 158gr SWC. I get them from Falcon Bullet Company. www.falconbullets.com

March 11, 2013, 01:35 PM	#21
CADILLAC HOOSIER Member Join Date: August 28, 2010 Location: INDIANA Posts: 50	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.

March 11, 2013, 02:45 PM	#22
Don P Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2005 Location: East Central Florida Posts: 4,409	140 grain Zingers __________________ *NRA Life Member, NRA Range Safety Officer, IDPA Safety Officer* *As you are, I once was, As I am, You will be.*

March 11, 2013, 05:55 PM	#23
schmellba99 Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2008 Posts: 298	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).

March 11, 2013, 08:05 PM	#24
kgpcr Senior Member Join Date: May 23, 2005 Posts: 917	148 DE Wadcutter. Hard cast by myself __________________ Colt King Cobra .357 Colt Anaconda .44mag Springfield Armory .45 Double stack Loaded XD40 service XD45 Taurus 617 .357mag Smith M&P 40

March 12, 2013, 07:11 AM	#25
CMD-Ky Junior Member Join Date: November 6, 2011 Posts: 13	Missouri Bullet Company several weights and design.