38 special/357 Mag.

[Thomaswh3]

I am just starting to reload 38/357 . I have been reloading other calibers for a while . What is the best bullet weight for general plinking ? I have looked at Rose and berrys bullets . Would you use a round or a flat point bullet . I was told a bullet with a cannule is better . Thanks for any help , Tom

 

[tomh1426]

If their just for plinking a plated or cast bullet would be cheaper than a jacketed bullet.
Some of the best cast bullets come from Mike at http://www.mastercastbullets.com/
A long time favorite target load is a 148gr DEWC over 2.8gr of Bullseye, Its a light clean load.
Ive shot alot of Berrys 158gr HP's and they seem to be pretty inconsistent in weight and size, I found 125's in my box of 158's.
I like 148 or 158 grain bullets, they seem most common and do the job.

 

[easyrider604]

What is the best bullet weight for general plinking ?

158 grain

Would you use a round or a flat point bullet

Whatever is more accurate in your gun. Round heads have a higher ballistic coefficient so will retain higher downrange velocity. Flat points and SWCs are usually used for hunting and/or lever rifles.

 

[indiandave]

I shoot 148gr. wad cutters over 3.0 grains of Winchester 231. A powder puff load that you can shoot all day.

 

[ReloaderFred]

For light plinking loads, you can always go to the Cowboy Action loads with a 125 grain bullet. It's cheaper and less recoil than heavier bullets.

I know some people who have purchased small Titanium revolvers that will only shoot the Cowboy Action loads for practice, since those little light revolvers can be brutal with full power loads.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Galil5.56]

Really like 148 WC's and 158 LSWC's for what you mention in .38 Special. My experience with 125 grain lead bullets has not been good, but yours may be better.

WW231, Bullseye, and Clays have been very good to me with the WC's. I really like Unique for use with the 158's for very good velocity and accuracy. Also have found Power Pistol to be a very good choice for very high velocity at sub +P pressures with good accuracy. All propellants mentioned above can be used in .357 mag loads following proper recipes, and if you want to push those 158's to max velocities, check into WW296, H110, AA#9, or 2400.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Welcome to the forum!!

I'm a big fan of a 158gr bullet for the 38/357. I will also shoot 148gr DEWC's for .38 Special target rounds.

 

[Blacklabelz]

My plinking load for my S&W model 10 is:

• 110g Winchester JHP (cheap if you buy bulk)
• 5.7g Unique (I reload all my handgun calibers with this stuff, saves money)
• CCI small pistol primers

Gives me a super accurate and moderately flat shooting round at both close and far distances.