Hard Cast 38's, Reloading Help ??

NOWUS · February 8, 2008, 02:33 PM

Been cleaning up old stuff, Just found 1000 Hard cast bullets from the 80's..
No lube in groves but look 'dark'( coated ?? ), If I remember right , I use to load them without Lube... Does that sound right?
( The Bullets are 'Fosters' Carmel NY )

Also, any good loads for 38's in 357Mag. ??

Just for target, But at 25-50 Yards, so reasonable velocity..

Also found some 300, 500. and 600 grain 45-70 Lead,,,,Have to see if I can find the dies..
( 600 grain in a Ruger No3, That I remember, !!! OUCH !!!)

cdrt · February 8, 2008, 03:08 PM

You didn't say what grain they are.
Probably lubed with some kind of graphite or whatever, similar to the Remington factory 148 HBWCs.
Whether they're 158s or 148s, 2.7 grains of BE in a .38 Special case is a nice target load.

NOWUS · February 8, 2008, 04:55 PM

Me stupid,,, 150 grain on box....

saber9 · February 8, 2008, 09:16 PM

I'm with cdrt in that they probably have a coated lube of some type on them rather than the older type. All of the lead bullets I have ever used from Speer, Hornady, Remington, and 1 or 2 other mfrs. had this type of lube. If they are hollow base wadcutters, I load a maximum of 2.7 gr. Bullseye so the bases will not be deformed when they are fired. If they are bevel base wadcutters (BBWC) then I usually go with 3.1 gr. Bullseye.

February 8, 2008, 02:33 PM	#1
NOWUS Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 111	Hard Cast 38's, Reloading Help ?? Been cleaning up old stuff, Just found 1000 Hard cast bullets from the 80's.. No lube in groves but look 'dark'( coated ?? ), If I remember right , I use to load them without Lube... Does that sound right? ( The Bullets are 'Fosters' Carmel NY ) Also, any good loads for 38's in 357Mag. ?? Just for target, But at 25-50 Yards, so reasonable velocity.. Also found some 300, 500. and 600 grain 45-70 Lead,,,,Have to see if I can find the dies.. ( 600 grain in a Ruger No3, That I remember, !!! OUCH !!!)

February 8, 2008, 03:08 PM	#2
cdrt Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 2007 Location: The Lone Star State Posts: 255	You didn't say what grain they are. Probably lubed with some kind of graphite or whatever, similar to the Remington factory 148 HBWCs. Whether they're 158s or 148s, 2.7 grains of BE in a .38 Special case is a nice target load. __________________ Navy Vet, SWIFT Boat OIC, Distinguished Pistol Shot #1399 USS JOHN S. MCCAIN (DDG-36)

February 8, 2008, 04:55 PM	#3
NOWUS Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 111	Me stupid,,, 150 grain on box....

February 8, 2008, 09:16 PM	#4
saber9 Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2008 Location: West Texas Posts: 165	I'm with cdrt in that they probably have a coated lube of some type on them rather than the older type. All of the lead bullets I have ever used from Speer, Hornady, Remington, and 1 or 2 other mfrs. had this type of lube. If they are hollow base wadcutters, I load a maximum of 2.7 gr. Bullseye so the bases will not be deformed when they are fired. If they are bevel base wadcutters (BBWC) then I usually go with 3.1 gr. Bullseye.