Hard cast .38 Special?

[Delawarean]

I am about to start loading .38 and .357 and I'd like to limit the amount of different bullets I need to buy. The MBC 158gr 18 SWC seems like it would be the perfect bullet for both a fairly mild 800-850 fps load .38 load (4 inch bbl) and a 1300 fps .357 load. They would be for use in my New Vaquero and LCR.

So, the question is: what disadvantage if any is there in using hard cast (18 brinell vs 12) lead for mild .38 loads?

 

[Loc n Load]

CAst bullets

I have been shooting cast bullets in 38 spl's for 40 years....I cast mine out of wheel weights....they are quite hard and I have shot a couple hundred thousand of them thru 38's, 357's, 41's, 44's and 45's since I started handloading. I just finished casting several hundred swc's and wad cutters for 38's and 357's yesterday.I have also shot thousands of commercial cast bullets over the years also....you will be well served by your cast lead bullets. My favorite bullet design is the SWC.
I have shot mine for recreation, competition and hunting. Load them and shoot them....good shooting. In response to your enquiry about hardness, the softer bullets of course will lead more when driven to higher velocities, but you should not have any problems with those bullets in your 38's.....I have also shot a lot of soft swaged lead bullets thru my 38's....and those will require more frequent cleaning of the bore.....but with what you have there will work fine in your 38's. Your hard cast bullets will work fine in both your 38 and 357.

 

[Cherokee]

The only disadvantage is: if the size of the bullet is smaller than the cylinder and bore of your gun, you may get leading from undersize bullets. Fit is king - bullets should be the same size or .001" larger than the cylinder throats, which hopefully are larger than the bore of the barrel.

You don't need hard bullets for the 38 and probably not for the 357 - 12 should do fine. I use wheel weight bullets for high end loads all the time without leading because the bullets fit. But, you get what the seller offers.

 

[Steve C]

You will need to try the harder bullets in your .38 to see if they lead or not. Read the Missouri FAQ regarding barrel leading and bullet hardness. If you get leading in the first part of the barrel the bullet is too hard for your load or is undersized.

Hard bullets will generally lead in low pressure loads so the softer bullets are better for the .38 spl and low velocity .357 mag. Hard bullets need to be driven at sufficient pressure to bump up the base to seal in the bore. If you cast and size your own you can make adjustments in the sizing and or bullet hardness to overcome a leading problem if it occurs. If you buy commercial cast you are stuck with at least the first batch you buy.

The other thing is that the cylinder throats may be undersized compared to the bore so just about any lead bullet will deposit leading. From what I've read this seems to be a common problem with Rugers and those owners shooting lead. Modifying the diameter of the cylinder throats to .001 over bore size will generally fix this but requires a gunsmith or tool purchase to do it yourself.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

With an 18 BHN bullet you are much more likely to get leading with your 38 Special ammo than your .357 Magnum ammo.

Do yourself a favor, buy the 12 BHN bullets for the .38 Special and the 18 BHN bullets for the .357 Magnum if you are going to push the magnum loads to full pressure. If not the softer bullets will work well for both loads.

 

[hueyville]

Cast your own with wheel weights or linotype. Will be cheaper and do it all.with one alloy.

 

[ljnowell]

I have loaded several thousand of those in 38 special cases. I only buy two bullets in 38/357 the 148dewc and the 158gr SWC(action) from MBC. I load them over 6.0gr Power Pistol for anicve stout 38 load that doesnt lead up my guns.

 

[slickracer]

I like the Missouri 38 Match 158 SWC, sized at .358. Shoots great at the 800-850 velocity range with no leading.

 

[Zeke/PA]

I've been shooting the MBC 158 Semi-Wadcutter for quite some time in 3 different .38's that I own and I have no complaints at all.

 

[boommer]

Straight wheel weights are 9-10 bhn 12bhn will work fine up until you get up to mag loads. The 12 bhn bullets you still will have to keep your pressures up in your 38 spl loads or your going to get leading with 12bhn, in other words no mouse fart loads.