38 super

[sac]

Is anyone casting for 38 super, and what bullet are you using?

Thanks Scott

[skeettx]

Same a 9mm, just a bit faster, and on some guns size a bit larger.
And a bit harder alloy, wheel weights just fine.
Mike

[sac]

Thanks Mike, I know about the cartridge Have been reloading for it with jacketed, just looking for cast ideas.

[Kraschenbirn]

Mike, what do you size to for the Super? Don't have one myself but a buddy recently acquired an older Springfield Armory 1911 and will be beginning to reload for it before long. Haven't had a chance to slug his barrel or throat but have a 147 gr. RN mold that, sized correctly, should work okay for subsonic plinker loads. I trade with him: boolits for scrap lead/solder and, occasionally, linotype and he reloads using his own brass, powder, primers, and dies.

Bill

[Cherokee]

For 38 Super I primarily use Lyman 356402 sized .356, my barrel is .355. I also use Lee 356120 TC. The 146 gr bullets I used years ago were commercial cast from KEAD bullets in Coppell Tx.

[skeettx]

.356 or .357 depending on who made the barrel

[vzerone]

Now you're talking about one of my favorite pistol rounds. I have quite a few 1911's in 38 Super. Recently I built a 1911 using a Caspian 9mm ramped frame and a Colt slide and what cool for me is it has a Kart Easy Fit Match barrel in it, but the part that is cool is I was partly instrumental in getting Freddy Kart to groove his 38 Super barrels to .356. With that said I shoot the fattest bullet that will still let the cartridge chamber. In my case that's usually .358 to .358. I've used quite a few different bullets in my Supers. I've even loaded the RCBS 150 grain SWC for the 38 Special and 357mag. I also have Lyman's 133 gra SWC I like a lot and of course Mihec 9mm hollow point. I swage 148 grain hollow base wadcutters and shoot them from my Super too. Two powders I like in mine is Herco and Win AutoComp. The AutoComp is great in both it and my 10mm. I have a bunch of Super brass from Starline, to Sig, to S&B, AA, and JAG. Some Aquilla too. All of it runs fine and is durable.

[Thin Man]

I have been loading the Lyman 358480 boolit in the Super for several years. Lyman states this is a 133 grain design but mine always drop at 138 grains. When loaded to a correct COL for a proper "plunk" test and feed-up this boolit will do anything I ask of it. Loaded near the top of the pressure allowance for the pistol it will be fired in (pre-70 Lightweight Commander) all shots regulate well with the sights. Groups are tight and my smile is wide. I have a single cavity mold that is speaking to me, saying "hollow-point me, please", and a double cavity mold for routine casting. Sizing diameter is 0.357" and alloy is ACWW, would use a softer blend for HP casting should I ever have the need.

[RobS]

A mihec mold https://www.mp-molds.com/e-shop/molds/hollow-points-molds/mp-359-125-hp-pb-2-cavity

I may work up some with the Lee 358-125-RF that I have around the garage.

I been sizing to .357"

[vzerone]

I have been loading the Lyman 358480 boolit in the Super for several years. Lyman states this is a 133 grain design but mine always drop at 138 grains. When loaded to a correct COL for a proper "plunk" test and feed-up this boolit will do anything I ask of it. Loaded near the top of the pressure allowance for the pistol it will be fired in (pre-70 Lightweight Commander) all shots regulate well with the sights. Groups are tight and my smile is wide. I have a single cavity mold that is speaking to me, saying "hollow-point me, please", and a double cavity mold for routine casting. Sizing diameter is 0.357" and alloy is ACWW, would use a softer blend for HP casting should I ever have the need.

thinman an interesting note. I have more then one of those molds and another friend has a couple also and we're beginning to think that Lyman never cut two exactly alike! LOL The one mold I have the bullet has a very very large meplat, the other one is smaller. The both feed and work however.

[reddog81]

Thanks Mike, I know about the cartridge Have been reloading for it with jacketed, just looking for cast ideas.

I'm pretty sure everything he said was in reference to cast bullets.

[sac]

I'm pretty sure everything he said was in reference to cast bullets.

It might have been, but was asking for bullet info not cartridge.

[Larry Gibson]

It might have been, but was asking for bullet info not cartridge.


I've found the Lee 356-120-TC to be an excellent bullet in the 38 Super. I cast them of alloy close to 96/3/3, size at .357 and lube with BAC.

[sac]

Thanks guys you give me some good ideas.

[Gunslinger1911]

I'm with RobS, Mihec 125g hp, sized .358.
Same as I use in 9mm, I just add a plain base gas check for the super.
Wheel weight alloy prob wouldn't need the gc.

[dsh1106]

Lyman 358311, sized to 356.

[vzerone]

I'm with RobS, Mihec 125g hp, sized .358.
Same as I use in 9mm, I just add a plain base gas check for the super.
Wheel weight alloy prob wouldn't need the gc.

Gunslinger I do the same thing I put a freecheck on my bullets cast from some rather pretty soft alloy. They are like varmint bullets on small critters and no leading at all. I also do it for 38 Special, 357 Mag, 9mm, 10mm, and 45 acp. I'm not a fancier of shooting the lighter bullets in the 38 Super because I feel the 9mm Luger shoots those more efficiently, although I do shoot that 125 grain Mihec hollow point because it's so devastating. 45 2.1 sure designed a good one there. With the pins to make it a solid I believe it's about a 129 grain depending on what alloy you cast it from. The bullet was designed to shoot in the 9mm Largo and others. I do love that 133 grain Lyman SWC though.

[Thin Man]

vzerone, thanks for the heads-up. I have this pattern in both a double cavity mold and a single. I got the single with the plan to HP it. Your note will drive me to compare these molds to see if they appear the same or different. I have cast with the double cavity mold frequently, but not the first time with the single due to my HP plans. Again, thanks for the tip.

[KCSO]

I use and old Ideal mould that from WW/Lino casts 138 grain rn bullet and I size to 357. A very good shooter in my RIA 1911 with a Wilson Barrel.