38/357 cast bullets. Proper diameter??

[G. Freeman]

Hi Guys,
I noticed that some casters use .358" while others will use .357" for their cast bullets. Do you know why this is?

For example, Missouri Bullet Co. uses .357" for their target grade HBWC's (BNH 10), but will use .358" for their 158 gr SWC's (BNH 18).

OTOH, Kead Bullets uses .357" for all their 38/357 cast bullets which I'm assuming must be harder than BNH 18.

Do you guys know why this is?

Will the .357" diameter bullets be accurate enough loaded below 1000 FPS?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Steve C]

Lead bullets are usually sized .358 while jacketed bullets are almost always .357. I don't know why a Missouri sizes them .357 but the owner reads this board and perhaps it can be answered. Could simply be a misprint.

 

[rcmodel]

Not a HBWC. (Hollow Base)
It is a DEWC. (Double Ended)

Missouri Bullet Co. says this about that:
#357148S
.357 Diameter
.38 Special
148 Grain DEWC-BB
Brinell 10
For PPC Velocity
Price per box of 500
Note: Sized to .357 for match barrels. Sizing to .358 available upon request - minimum order required.

rc

 

[Ateam-3]

Many times the softer alloy (BHN 10) will be sized .357 because the bullet base should respond to the powder burning causing the lead will expand to fill the bore. As it does the bullet engages the rifling better as it moves down the barrel. The harder alloys (BHN 18) are less affected by the powder burning and the bullet base doesn't change much. Also; when comparing the HBWC to the SWC, hollow base bullets are designed to expand.

Some guns shoot better with a certain size also. For instance, my father's Colt Officer's Model 38 would shoot much better with the .357 diameter vs. the .358.

As far as your specific gun and load combination, you will need to evaluate that for yourself. IMO, the .357 size bullets will be just fine below 1000 FPS.

 

[243winxb]

I noticed that some casters use .358" while others will use .357" for their cast bullets. Do you know why this is?

WE slug our barrels to find out what is the correct dia. for the gun. Go with .358"

 

[MissouriBullet]

Not a HBWC. (Hollow Base)
It is a DEWC. (Double Ended)

Missouri Bullet Co. says this about that:
#357148S
.357 Diameter
.38 Special
148 Grain DEWC-BB
Brinell 10
For PPC Velocity
Price per box of 500
Note: Sized to .357 for match barrels. Sizing to .358 available upon request - minimum order required.

rc

What rcmodel said!

Most PPC guns have special, smaller bores that need a .357 bullet.

 

[MissouriBullet]

Hi Guys,
I noticed that some casters use .358" while others will use .357" for their cast bullets. Do you know why this is?

For example, Missouri Bullet Co. uses .357" for their target grade HBWC's (BNH 10), but will use .358" for their 158 gr SWC's (BNH 18).

OTOH, Kead Bullets uses .357" for all their 38/357 cast bullets which I'm assuming must be harder than BNH 18.

Do you guys know why this is?

Will the .357" diameter bullets be accurate enough loaded below 1000 FPS?

Thanks in advance!

The Kead bullets are definitely harder than 18 BHN, as George uses 2/8 alloy (8% Sb, 2% Sn). In my opinion, that is way too hard for anything less than Armegeddon-grade loads, obturation-wise. Just my opinion, of course. I'd happily use 2/8 alloy for .454 Casull, M1 Carbine, max .357 Magnum, and similar loads. But not for anything that develops under 24k CUPS, as I don't think the bullets would obturate properly and you'd wind up with excessive leading and sub-optimal accuracy.