I am really thinking of going to LSWC for all uses

[Eb1]

I don't see a disadvantage of using a LSWC be it for personal defense, hunting or plain fun.

You have deep penetration. Good permanent cavity trauma, and good accuracy and availability.

Any thoughts? This is for .380 to .44 Mag. I don't shoot anything but lead in .44 Magnum anyway, but for .380, 9mm, and .32 H&R Magnum I see no disadvantage really

 

[David E]

Many guns choke on SWC's

That's kind of a disadvantage.

 

[OptimusPrime]

The .380 WC always stays .380" wide. At least a HP might expand to a bigger size. So it's not a DISadvantage per se, but rather a lack of possible advantage. But if they feed well for you, more power to you.

 

[tubeshooter]

I've always thought that SWC is a good general purpose bullet profile for revolvers.


For semis that don't like them... David E does have a point.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I see no problem with loading only LSWC bullets for the 38/357. That's what I mostly load over the past few years.

 

[Eb1]

For the .44 Magnum only LSWC or Round Nose Flat Point. I do have some 240 grain XTP HP loaded over 2400.

I am finding that for my general purpose and hunting purpose I don't think a HP would give me any advantage accept for spending more money. I think for self-defense the LSWC would be a good choice. Nice permanent cavity for stopping the treat. Good penetration, accurate, and is the same bullet I'd be shooting during practice. I don't carry the 9mm for SD. I do carry the .380. I'd have to test it out in that platform. I haven't had issues with the XD feeding anything.

 

[Nomad]

I really like the cast SWC design and while they work well in most guns I know some autos wont function well with them. For example a friend has an XD that wont feed them at all.

 

[Twiki357]

I tend to agree with you. I cast my own for 38/357 and up, including 45ACP. Never considered it for 380 or 9mm; mainly because I don’t have any molds for small enough bullets.

 

[87hurricane]

I've been working towards that same conclusion for a while now. I shoot lead for all my target loads, and although I do have a few XTPs floating around, I rarely use them. I have tried any swc in my .45s yet as I had a lot of Truncated cones left, but I burn through most of them this summer. My plan is to pick up some 200gr swc, and if I can make them run in my semis I will be set.

 

[StrawHat]

Last time I was competing, everyone was using 185 or 200 grain LSWC in the 45 ACP except me. I can't imagine having a problem getting them to feed.

 

[plateshooter]

I am with Eb1. Lead is what I practice with a couple times a week. My 2 45s (M&P 45c and a G21 gen 4 Glock) shoot my loads without any feeding or accuracy problems. What I practice with is what I carry. 185 SWC in 45acp.

I use home cast 158gr round nose flat point bullets or 158gr SWCs in my 38/357 guns. Been shooting them for years and have complete confidence in them. I carry lead in my revolvers too.

 

[Sam1911]

One problem with LSWCs in revolvers is that they are slow to reload. They don't funnel smoothly into the chamber mouths, especially if you're loading 6 (or more!) at a time. That's why "go fast" guys in the practical shooting games don't use them. Too many square shoulders grabbing too many chamber mouth edges at the same time.

However, if you're taking your time and your fastest reload isn't critical, they're pretty awesome.

 

[calaverasslim]

I have to agree with SAM1911. That is a big problem. However, if I were hunting or for self defense and wanted to use LSWC, I would certainly look at the Keith style SWC. Love that huge meplat.

 

[plateshooter]

Ease of loading is where the round nose flat point bullets shine. They weigh the same and shoot the same in my guns.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/18...e-38-s-and-w-358-diameter-158-grain-flat-nose

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I love LSWC bullets too but I don't shoot competition where quick reloads are important. If I did, I'd go with a round nose bullet.

I've heard that they hang up in a lot of autos but my Sig 2022 in .40 feeds them flawlessly.

 

[MrBorland]

One problem with LSWCs in revolvers is that they are slow to reload. They don't funnel smoothly into the chamber mouths, especially if you're loading 6 (or more!) at a time. That's why "go fast" guys in the practical shooting games don't use them. Too many square shoulders grabbing too many chamber mouth edges at the same time.

Yup. Plus, lead runs dirty, so not only do my hands and gun get filthy, it doesn't take long for the chambers to get cruddy enough to slow the reload even more. When I wanted a lead target load for a revolver, I've opted for full wadcutters. Since switching to plated bullets, I rarely use lead anymore: Matter of fact, for a good target bullet, I'd now consider a Hornady jacketed hollowpoint.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Plus, lead runs dirty

The last time I shot a lot of lead, it got very smokey, very quickly.

The guy I was shooting with said he practiced with lead for the economy, but shot jacketed in competition to hold down the smoke. Said in humid conditions with not much wind (LA) it made seeing the targets quick enough at 50 yards a bit of a problem

 

[wally]

The last time I shot a lot of lead, it got very smokey, very quickly.

Very true. I shoot steel plates and when the wind is zero and the sun behind the plates it can be very hard to see the last two plates after taking out the first ten, but practicing under adverse conditions can be very helpful, so I cuss a bit, do some side steps and keep shooting!

 

[Deaf Smith]

My standard field load for revolvers is around a LSWHP (close enough.)

For the .44 magnum a 240 gr Speer LSWHP half jacket at 900 to 1000 fps.

For my .357s a 158gr LSWC gas checked at 1000

For self defense I use JHP factory loads.

Deaf

 

[BYJO4]

A LSWC is great for any use. However, some semi autos wont feed them reliably so testing is important to see if they work. I'm lucky and all my handguns work well with LSWCs.

 

[MrBorland]

The last time I shot a lot of lead, it got very smokey, very quickly.

Yessiree. The chemical formula for smoke is, in fact, "lead + W231".

 

[Crunchy Frog]

Elmer Keith would approve!

I use a LSWC in my .45 ACP. I have settled on a truncated cone flat point bullet for my cowboy action loads; the bullet shape feeds well in the lever action rifle (even better than the round nose flat point in my rifles).

 

[BCRider]

Some of you "nancys" should man up and try shooting proper black powder in some events. It'll make you stop lamenting about how smoky your lead ammo is....

You haven't lived until you've had to shoot 10 rounds of proper .44 size cap and ball loaded with proper black on a calm and heavy air morning round of CAS. Targets? WHAT TARGETS? ! ? ! ?

Back on topic..... I really like my SWC bullets as long as I don't need to feed them into a gun under timing. It doesn't matter if it's a swing out DA/SA revolver fed by a speed loader or a single action. The SWCs just hang up much too often to feed them while on the timer.

On the other hand both my 1911's LOVE 200gn LSWC loads. They cycle smooth as a fresh caught fish on a wet cutting board.

 

[rcmodel]

All of the above.

If you have semi-auto's that will feed them, gofer it.

The .44 Mag is another matter though.

A typical 240 grain LSWC out of almost any .44 load will shoot through two bad guys stacked prison lover style.
And the pony they rode in on.
And that includes the .44 Special, let alone a .44 Magnum.

Over-penetration would be a very major worry for me.

rc

 

[Lucky Derby]

My first question is, will the autos function with this load? You will have to test this, and if so I see nothing wrong with it.
Second question is, with a wheelgun, will it slow the reload from the speedloader? Again, you need to test this and decide for yourself, with your weapons, and your skill set.
As far as the bullet design itself, it is about as good as a general purpose bullet design can be.