New to loading .38sp / .357

[Walkalong]

Yes, due to less friction, lead or coated can be easier to work up a safe (Gets out of the barrel every time regardless of powder position) load. Powders make a difference as some are more position sensitive than other. With light loads the .357 case is large compared to the volume of the light charge.

I also like to stay above 600 FPS for any shot in any position, powder back or powder forward. That knocks out some loads that are OK powder forward.

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

Just skimmed through the thread so if it hasn't been mentioned already:
Coated bullets cost less and can be pushed to higher velocities than most plated. Coated are also available in different colors making it easier to identify different loads.

 

[CCWdownrangeP2]

ajandrs, PM'd you the MBC discount code. Enjoy! CCW

 

[ajandrs]

Thanks CCW, that code worked!!

But ... now I'm looking for further opinions on coated bullets. I was about to finish my MBC order of 500 non-grooved 158gr SWC from but they want $14 shipping which seems a bit excessive. Looking at ACME, their .38 grooveless 158gr is only $6 shipping which saves me $6 total on the order. Is MBC really worth the extra cost? The bullets look nearly identical, both are sized to .358, MBC lists the brinell as 18 whereas ACME only lists the alloy but not the brinell number.

Already ordered the brass from Starline so now just need to settle on a bullet.

 

[Walkalong]

ACME says 92-6-2 under the "Description" tab, and 16 BHN under the "Specification" tab.

I have shot some of these using 2400 and they worked just fine.

 

[ajandrs]

ACME says 92-6-2 under the "Description" tab, and 16 BHN under the "Specification" tab.

Man, didn't even notice that specs tab. The lyman manual lists a 92-2-6 ratio at 15 BHN so I figured the ACME was in the ballpark of that but good to see that listed. And good to see you've shot it with good results. Thanks again for your help!

 

[Rule3]

Thanks CCW, that code worked!!

But ... now I'm looking for further opinions on coated bullets. I was about to finish my MBC order of 500 non-grooved 158gr SWC from but they want $14 shipping which seems a bit excessive. Looking at ACME, their .38 grooveless 158gr is only $6 shipping which saves me $6 total on the order. Is MBC really worth the extra cost? The bullets look nearly identical, both are sized to .358, MBC lists the brinell as 18 whereas ACME only lists the alloy but not the brinell number.

Already ordered the brass from Starline so now just need to settle on a bullet.

It seems ACME is giving a USPS SMALL flat rate price for 500. How they can get 500 in a small box is a mystery??

Flat rate shipping MBC will pack 4 boxes of 500 in a medium box for the $16 price.

As far as the bullets they ally use the same casting machines so I doubt there is much difference. Heck I want to order some ACME just for the cool Wood box if they still use those!

ACME are 16BHN as shown here/

http://www.acmebullet.com/


** Our premium reloading cast bullets are made with certified 92-6-2 lead for a Brinell Hardness (BHN) of 16.

 

[ajandrs]

Well I googled around and found a 10% off code for ACME bullets so I went ahead and ordered 500 of their 158gr grooveless SWC. $45 shipped to my door, can't argue with that! I'll get some loaded up this week and will try and get to the range as soon as they're loaded!

Thanks again for the help and suggestions you all provided, it's much appreciated! I'll post back once I've gotten to the range with these loads!

 

[Walkalong]

Man, didn't even notice that specs tab.

Me either, took me awhile to find it the first time. Hidden in plain sight. I wonder why they don't put the alloy and the BHN together under the same tab.

ACME are 16BHN as shown here/

Right on the front page. Kind of like threads that are stickied. People look right past them. I have the coated bullet page bookmarked, not "home". Silly me.

 

[Rule3]

Me either, took me awhile to find it the first time. Hidden in plain sight. I wonder why they don't put the alloy and the BHN together under the same tab.
Right on the front page. Kind of like threads that are stickied. People look right past them. I have the coated bullet page bookmarked, not "home". Silly me.

Imagine if some folks actually read the first chapters of reloading manuals?

 

[MRH]

I don't mean to change the subject, but I was going to order a couple different bullets from Missouri. It's been a couple of years since I last ordered and have misplace the discount code. Can anyone help me out for the MBC discount code for THR?
Thanks,
Mike

 

[Ruger 15151]

Well I googled around and found a 10% off code for ACME bullets so I went ahead and ordered 500 of there 158gr grooveless SWC. $45 shipped to my door, can't argue with that!

What was the code?

 

[Ruger 15151]

I found one... enos10

 

[ajandrs]

I found one... enos10

Yep that's what I used!

 

[RealGun]

Hey all, I currently load 9mm and .223 but won a new stainless Ruger GP100 6" in .357mag at my county sportsmens banquet last weekend. I have very little wheel gun experience but when I picked the gun up from the shop yesterday it was an instantaneous love affair. I can't really explain it, but I imagine many of you understand what I'm talking about. Needless to say I can't wait to shoot this thing, but the off the shelf ammo is pricey so it only makes sense to add the caliber to my bench.

My plan is to load only .357 cases to eliminate mix ups or confusion between that and .38 cases, plus then i only have to worry about adding the one caliber instead of 2. That also does away with the carbon ring left with .38 cases in the cylinder. Even with that said, I think I'm going to get the LEE carbide 4 die .38 set even though i don't plan on loading .38 right now.

For now my only need is range fodder, simple plinking ammo to get familiar with the gun and have some fun, and probably at only .38sp / .38 +P power ... for now. Down the road I will look at adding a load for hunting deer and possibly even coyotes but the hunting will likely be done with a lever action that I plan on picking up now that I have the GP100.

On hand I have enough HP-38 and small pistol primers to load until both arms fall off so my plan is to start load development with those components. I also have some power pistol and bullseye I could play with if they are good for .357 ... I haven't even looked into those yet given my large supply of HP-38.

So given what I want to do with the cartridge right now, I'm wondering what would be a good bullet to choose to get me started in the .357 world? I've never shot lead and don't like the thought of scrubbing lead of out a barrel so I'd like to stick with plated / FMJ. Looking at Midway, they have both Rainier 125gr and 158gr plated hollow points at about $.10 a piece so that's where I'm looking at starting, along with some starline brass for about $.17 a piece. I was thinking about getting a couple hundred of each bullet weight to play with, but would I be better off with one or the other? 200 of each bullet plus a couple hundred cases can get me going for about $85 and like I said above, I seriously can't wait to get some range time with this gun!!

Thanks for any advice you can provide, again, with only needing some basic plinking rounds I'm trying to keep this pretty simple for now and go with the components I already have. Once I get into the caliber some more i'll look at messing with some different components to find the sweet spot for this particular gun.

Based on the mass of that gun, I would load the 158 grainer. I use 125 and the like in smaller 357s.

There is a gap in load data between 38 +p and minimum 357 using the same powder and bullet. That is where I find my range for more moderate shooting rounds in 357 cases, all with standard primers.