Hard cast load help

[saenzrich]

Looking to begin reloading for my GP100 6" and SP101 3" revolvers and was looking for some suggestions from you guys about the most cost effective bullets to purchase. The purpose would be mainly just for plinking at the range. I was looking at these but I am new to this and any suggestions would be helpful.

http://www.missouribullet.com/details.php?prodId=118&category=5&secondary=9&keywords=

 

[243winxb]

For 357mag or 38 special, the 158 gr lswc is a good all purpose bullet. For midrange velocity use a 12 hardness, for full power use 18. The bullet at your link is for very light target loads.

 

[snuffy]

That bullet is a double ended bevel-base wadcutter. It's primarily a target bullet, but if hard enough could be used for faster loads in either revolver.

Like 243 said, the 38 special and 357 works well with 158 semi-wadcutter bullets.

http://www.missouribullet.com/details.php?prodId=41&category=5&secondary=10&keywords=

 

[ArchAngelCD]

My favorite plinking load is made with a 158gr LSWC over W231/HP-38.

 

[saenzrich]

Thank ya'll for the help I'm new and still have alot to learn.....I'm going to go ahead and order 1k of.....

http://www.missouribullet.com/detail...y=10&keywords=

I just bought 2lbs of 231 powder from Bass Pro......what primers would you recommend for the 38's and for the .357's....I've read some people have problems w/ CCI so I'm wondering what ya'll have to say....also just curious roughly how many rounds do ya'll get from 1lb of this powder?

Also what recipes do ya'll use with the w231 for 38's preferably to make em run a bit hot.......my next purchase is the Lymans 49th before I even begin loading, but just want to get an idea of what's working for you guys....

Thanks for the input.

 

[wraith56]

I just started using the MBC 357 action in my GP100. With 3.7 grs of HP38 it is easy to load and shoot. The higher hardness 158 LSWC seems to work fine at lower velocity(~800fps I guess).

The advice from the old guy at the LGS was to not push the hardness 18 bullets to 900fps and beyond. He doesn't trust them at real magnum velocities. I haven't tried the lower hardness bullets, and I haven't tried high velocity loads myself. I don't have a reason too yet.

I will be interested to read your results.

 

[denton]

It doesn't take a lot of muzzle velocity to poke a hole in a target at 25 yards. One of the joys of shooting cast bullets is that they lend themselves to mild loads that are fun to shoot.

One thing to watch is that if you get too mild, you won't have enough spin to stabilize the bullet and your accuracy will suffer. If you're too hot, you can get leading near the muzzle, and your accuracy will suffer again. In the Goldilocks zone there is a lot of room and many loads that will work well.

My wife and both my daughters have 2" 38s, the latter two being ultralight. For those, I load 124 grain cowboy action bullets (very much on the light side) at about 750 FPS. Those are great plinking cartridges, and the ladies enjoy them. Those stabilize and are accurate.

You might find a lot of good choices in the Cowboy Action section of some of the online reloading manuals.

Many powders are position sensitive with reduced loads. That is, you'll get very different results if you lower you muzzle into position vs. if you raise it into position. Two powders that I have found that are not position sensitive are TiteGroup and Universal.

 

[Galil5.56]

Thank ya'll for the help I'm new and still have alot to learn.....I'm going to go ahead and order 1k of.....

http://www.missouribullet.com/detail...y=10&keywords=

Unless you are dead-set on your choice, you could go with with the second selection ($44/1000) shown on the page:

http://www.mastercastbullets.com/productpricelist.html

and save about $20 on your order, from a reputable seller.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I shoot MBC's .357 Action 158gr LSWC over 5.6 grains of Unique. My test notes show an average of 1008 fps. I have shot them out of at least a half a dozen guns and have had zero leading problems.

 

[Super.45]

Plus1 -Mastercast makes very good stuff and good prices.

 

[Overkilll0084]

Unless you're only planning on ultra mild target loads, I would pass on the wadcutters for now. The SWC design is much more versatile and doesn't really give up much in accuracy.
MBC .357 Action is a very good all around bullet. Very accurate and priced right. I use them for everything from mild .38 special (3.1 bullseye) to hot .357 loads (14.0gr 2400). Even if you eventually broaden your scope to other bullets, you will always want to keep some .158 gr SWCs on hand.
Look into some MBC sample packs as well, so you can try out different weights and styles without having nearly 500 of something that didn't quite work out. For entertainment purposes, the MBC 180 gr Striker is a fun one as well, great for bowling pins.

 

[Overkilll0084]

just bought 2lbs of 231 powder from Bass Pro......what primers would you recommend for the 38's and for the .357's....I've read some people have problems w/ CCI so I'm wondering what ya'll have to say

I hear 231 is good stuff. I haven't used it. It's a good starting point for mild to midrange loads. You will eventually want some slower powder for your more potent loads. Baby steps.

I've had light strike issues with CCI primers when firing double action in one particular gun. For my Pin Match loads that will be fired double action, I use Federal. They are reputed to be the softest. Aside from that I use CCI in everything else. I bought a bunch on sale a while back and I will continue to use them.

 

[mdi]

W231 is a good choice for light to med. loads and meters well. Nuttin' wrong with CCI primers. I load a double ended wadcutter over a stiff (but under max.) load of W231 for my 2" .38 pocket gun. Accurate at 15 yards and presents a big meplat for the target. When starting to reload, use what's in your manual. Look in your manual first, then buy components for the loads you want to use. Start at the "starting load". Go slow, and enjoy...

 

[saenzrich]

Thanks again....all input is heard and respected.....

 

[S$W66]

W231 is good powder and can enjoy shooting some of milder loads and after get as old as i am mild is better for shooting paper. Unique works well too, might be a tad dirtier but then cleaning weapon never bother me anyway.