Looking for a bullet

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Mr_Flintstone

Mr_Flintstone

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I’m looking for a 158-162 gr .38 special bullet that has a groove so I can seat at .357 magnum length so it will feed properly in a lever action. It needs to be a commercial bullet as I don’t cast. Does anyone have suggestions? Thanks in advance for any help.

Please don’t answer with “Just load reduced .357 magnums.”
 
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Are you wanting to load 38 special cases, but seat the bullet shallower to reach the .357 mag recommended COAL?
I wonder if the bullet would have enough engagement / support in the case.

I am curious what rifle you are loading for that will not cycle 38 special rounds.
Is is not recommended for use in that rifle?

I have a few different manufactures cast bullets that are 158/gr.
Some are plated and some are coated.
They all have "grooves".

I'll have to see where I purchased them.
I believed the plated came from Xtreme.
 
Mr_Flintstone said:
I’m looking for a 158-162 gr .38 special bullet that has a groove so I can seat at .357 magnum length so it will feed properly in a lever action. It needs to be a commercial bullet as I don’t cast. Does anyone have suggestions? Thanks in advance for any help.

Please don’t answer with “Just load reduced .357 magnums.”
Click to expand...
This is made for what you want - I think? - but it’s out of stock temporarily.
https://statelinebullets.com/shop/cast-pistol-bullets/38-357-cast-pistol-bullets/38cal-150gr-tcfp/
 
Mr_Flintstone said:
I’m looking for a 158-162 gr .38 special bullet that has a groove so I can seat at .357 magnum length
Click to expand...

I'm assuming you want a bullet that, when seated in a 38 Spl case to the crimp groove, will locate the bullets ogive at the same distance from the base of the case as a 357.
(I'm also assuming your lever action is chambered in 357 and not 38 Spl.)

Can't say I've seen a bullet advertised for that application, but if you want it bad enough, ($$$$$) Missouri Bullet Co could most likely custom-make some for you. (Makes my billfold tremble just thinking about it!)

If the the location of the ogive relative to the lands is not on your list of concerns, but reliable feeding is, perhaps the previous recommendation's would be the way to go.
 
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dredd said:
Are you wanting to load 38 special cases, but seat the bullet shallower to reach the .357 mag recommended COAL?
I wonder if the bullet would have enough engagement / support in the case.

I am curious what rifle you are loading for that will not cycle 38 special rounds.
Is is not recommended for use in that rifle?

I have a few different manufactures cast bullets that are 158/gr.
Some are plated and some are coated.
They all have "grooves".

I'll have to see where I purchased them.
I believed the plated came from Xtreme.
Click to expand...

I have a Henry that will shoot .38 Special, but it doesn’t really like them. 158 gr RN works, but sometimes hang up. I just really want something a little longer to increase the feeding reliability.
 
Mr_Flintstone said:
I have a Henry that will shoot .38 Special, but it doesn’t really like them. 158 gr RN works, but sometimes hang up. I just really want something a little longer to increase the feeding reliability.
Click to expand...
You have the option of using the lube grooves for crimping if you shoot coated bullets.
I've done this in the past. I've even done it with lubed bullets. Your milage may vary.
 
Jim Watson said:
lots of CAS want to use cheap .38 brass long loaded for .357 lever actions.
Click to expand...

CAS - A shooting style I have never seen nor pursued, but when in Rome,,,

I might have found one version of a bullet like that,,,

Will definitely take more research than the info posted below, and it appears to be (eventually/sometime soon?) commercially available.
Unfortunately, this particular bullet is a SWC, so 'reliable feeding' isn't a given.

But,,, it's 'a place to start',,,

I found an opinion on a particular bullet mould. Take it for what it's worth:

I have owned this mould before midway existed it is a classic. I have casted many bullets with it and the real beauty of the slug is that you can crimp it on the lower crimping groove in 38 special cases and shoot it in 357s

I found that opinion by researching the mould number associated with a interesting bullet I found at Montana Bullet Works.

https://www.montanabulletworks.com/product/357-lyman-358156-155gr-swc-gc-dc/

(I couldn't find 'a smoother feeding' version of this on the same site, but it does give hope!)

 
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Crimping a coated cast bullet in the upper grease groove sounds like the easiest way to get 357 magnum length ammo out 38s with commercial cast products.

For a lever gun, you are more worried about a bullet being pushed into the case than having it creep out of the case. Having the case mouth completely covering the upper grease groove and extending up another 0.005" to 0.010" with a light crimp will let the case "bite" into the bullet just a little and make it a little bit more secure.

This one was previously recommended above, is in stock and looks about right for seating as described above.
https://www.badmanbullets.com/Onlin...and+357+Caliber+157+Grain+RNFP+Polymer+Coated
 
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