Trying to decide on only one bullet for 357

Vast majority of what i've shot in the blackhawk has been 158 gr swc coated. I've been shooting 148gr coated in the henry lever lately
 
.38 Specials recommendation of the Thompson GC is a good one.
The Lyman 358156 is the only bullet I cast for .38s anymore.

JT
 
one bullet is a good idea, but I'd also just pick one powder at a time, and then find loads for just a plinking light load, and one that is more of a potent load, certainly would have less drop at range. make notes and work through the powders, but I'd load and test each of them separately. I guess I would not trust myself not to mix up powders somehow. I just load 158 grain lead, and use Win231, and adjust the charge for high or low. but, I'm only doing .38 and not doing enough velocity to run into some of the probelms that can come up where coatings and gas checks become real considerations. curious how fast a .357 can push a 125 grain bullet anyway. did someone mention fireballs and not post a picture?
 
158 coated LSWC and 2400 for range duty and 158gr JSP and 2400 for woods duty...
 
For competition and practice, I don't need a SWC or FP, I would like to see bulk casting of Lyman 358311. Round nose for speed loading, wide front band for chamber alignment, good crimp groove for heavy loads.
 
The beauty of handloading is that we can get as complex or as simple as our own needs dictate.

I've got three major bullets that I load for .38/.357. The RCBS 38-150-SWC (which has previously been mentioned in this thread as a great bullet, and I completely agree), a 125 grain SWC (Accurate 36-125K) and the MP Molds 359 Hammer (a 170ish grain plain base RNFP with various hollow point pins).

I use the RCBS 38-150-SWC as my primary .38 and .357 mag bullet, but lately I've been shooting a lot of the Accurate 36-125K SWC in .357 mag over 10 grains of Power Pistol. That load isn't nearly as blasty as with a full load of 2400, and has significantly less recoil than a full load with the 150 grain SWC. Strangely, it also hits to the same point of aim inside of 25 yards as my 150 grain SWC loads in both a 4" S&W model 28 and a 4" Ruger Security Six.

The 170 grain MP Molds bullet I reserve solely for my Rossi 92 loads using a load of 300MP.

As I mentioned above, I find myself using the 125 grain SWC much more lately. While most people are only concerned with chamber pressure and throat erosion (with the lighter bullets anyway), I definitely believe recoil forces play a big role in revolver wear. The 125 grain bullet also allows me to stretch my casting lead supply further, and is definitely easier on my wrists as well as the gun.
 
If it wasn't for the price I would shoot nothing but 158 XTP's. I actually shoot mostly Brazos 158 coated SWC with No. 9
This is in my old Security Six 4".
 
barnfrog said:
And how! I struggle to get single digit MOA performance out of any handgun.
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You and me both, brother. Two MOA revolvers are extremely rare, in my experience, as are men who can shoot them that well. On a good day, with a great deal of practice, a perfect rest, and a scope, I have done it - with a multi-thousand dollar custom. I am sure I could not do it now, and I'm also pretty sure that I do not currently own a revolver capable of it anyway. I can certainly tell you that if I could and did, I would not be on THR asking for bullet advice. I suppose some people are just never satisfied. ;)
 
My most accurate load in my Pythons and Korth is the Montana Bullets 158 grain LSWC-PB in front of 13.5 grains of 2400. A close runner-up is the same powder charge with a Rim Rock 158 grain LSWC. The 1st is a 1” round at 25 yards, the 2nd is 1.5” typically.
 
.38 Special said:
You and me both, brother. Two MOA revolvers are extremely rare, in my experience, as are men who can shoot them that well. On a good day, with a great deal of practice, a perfect rest, and a scope, I have done it - with a multi-thousand dollar custom. I am sure I could not do it now, and I'm also pretty sure that I do not currently own a revolver capable of it anyway. I can certainly tell you that if I could and did, I would not be on THR asking for bullet advice. I suppose some people are just never satisfied. ;)
Click to expand...
My best shooting was 5 out of 6 hits on a 10x14 Silhouette at 100 yards. I can't even fathom a 2" group.
 
AJC1 said:
My best shooting was 5 out of 6 hits on a 10x14 Silhouette at 100 yards. I can't even fathom a 2" group.
Click to expand...
I'd read Ross Seyfried's account of his MOA revolver, and I had time, money, and ego. It took a couple of years to get everything together - and a lot of effort - and even then, it became apparent that *I* was the limiting factor. The gun - a Bowen Blackhawk, just like Seyfried's - might actually have been capable of one inch groups, but two MOA is apparently the best I will ever be able to manage with a handgun.

Hats off to those who are better at it, especially with a stock 686 and a Lee mold.
 
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I think we need to get back on track here. The MOA revolver issue should be a separate thread for those concerned.

The original post was related to plinking and target loads for 38/357. His intention is one bullet (125 grain) and trying different powders to come up with a good load.

Maybe we could focus on that.
 
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