38 Special 150gr SWC

[Scout308]

Ive got a big service match coming up at the end of the month and have decided to use my Python. Ive been researching loads and will be using a 150gr SWC projectile in a 38 Special case. Going through this article here http://www.handloads...fault.asp?id=24 and came up with this

Best SWC for the .38 Special
Putting a GC on .38 Special bullet is kinda like putting a frilly lace dress on John Wayne -- it just doesn't belong there! As mentioned above, my personal favorite bullet for the .38 Special is the original 150 grain version of the Lyman 358477. Any number of good loads will generate 950 fps with this bullet, and do so quite accurately, but my favorite is 5.4 grains of Unique. As far as what is available today, the RCBS 38 150 SWC (they call it a "Keith" but it's doubtful that Elmer actually designed it) is an excellent mould and gets my vote for the best bullet currently available for the .38 Special. The lighter weight of these two bullets allows the sixgunner to get optimum performance out of a .38 Special revolver.

I have Unique on hand and would like some thoughts on this load of 5.4g Unique with a 150gr SWC 38 Special

[runfiverun]

i'd be more inclined to go with 5 grs.

[Scout308]

Thanks mate

[MtGun44]

I use 5 gr Unique under that or even a bit heavier boolit (maybe 158-160) with
just excellent results. Powerful but not excessive and with the HP 358429 it
shoots accurately and to the fixed sights of a 342 that I have.
Great load, and 477 is one of the really good designs.

Bill

[rintinglen]

I think highly of that 38-150 SWC that RCBS makes, I just wish it came in a 4 banger. I have shot thousands using 5.0 grains of Unique or 3.5 grains of Red Dot. I have not used heavy loads with this boolit, but I doubt that 5.4 grains will make any difference to your Python.

[Scout308]

Thanks for the replys guys! long time lurker just getting into casting. Will try out the 5.0gr of Unique

[bobthenailer]

I have shot many diffrent bullet styles & weights from 148 to 200 gr including the RCBS 150 swc out of perhaps 15 different 357 mag handguns over the years and in every one accuracy was excellent as good as 1 inch at 50 yards and that good at 25 yards in most . loaded in the same lot or brand of 357 mag cases,
4.0 to 4.5 gr of BE with a Fed spp approx 800 to 850 fps

[2shot]

i'd be more inclined to go with 5 grs.

+1
That 5 grain load is more powerful that you would thing and an accurate one too! Also use the same load with Lyman 358429 with great success.

2shot.

[Larry Gibson]

I used that very 358477 for many a police revolver match. I would load it over 3.5 gr Bullseye (what I used quite successfully) to 4 gr max.

Putting a GC on .38 Special bullet is kinda like putting a frilly lace dress on John Wayne -- it just doesn't belong there!

I do have to disagree with that line....not the part about putting the dress on John Wayne.......I wouldn't have wanted to try that[smilie=l:.... However, the GC'd 358156HP when cast of almost pure lead and loaded to +P is more accurate, faster and expands better than the vaunted "FBI load" from Federal or Winchester.

Larry Gibson

[km101]

I shoot that bullet over 5.1 gr. Unique, or 3.6 gr. Bullseye and get good accuracy and no leading.

[Houndog]

I'll second the 5.0 Unique under that boolet in a 38! That and the 158gr Lyman version of the same profile is all I use in a 38 any more. It's WAY more accurate than I am.

[Papa smurf]

5.0 is the number . Unique that is .

[Scout308]

Thanks guys really appreciate the advice. Will let you know how I go.

[Calamity Jake]

If you don't have to make power factor then this is the load:"I used that very 358477 for many a police revolver match. I would load it over 3.5 gr Bullseye (what I used quite successfully) to 4 gr max."

[Cadillo]

My standard load with the 358477 is 3.6 grains WW 231. Nice soft target load that shoots well in all my guns.

[David2011]

WW 231 burns WAY cleaner than Bullseye, too! I still like 2.8 grains of BE with a .38 boolit in that weight range for target shooting, though. That was my first cast boolit load.

David

[Scout308]

I find W231 to be a very drity smokey powder. Ive never liked it

[John in WI]

I use 5gr Unique and a Lee 158gr SWC and my S&W loves them. I played with other combinations, and 5gr Unique seems to be the ticket. I go through a lot of Unique because I run a lot of it in my 12 gauge too.

[LtFrankDrebbin]

I can add a local spin for you,
I use 150gn Lyman BNWC over 2.3gns of ADI AS30 for ISSF CF plus 25 yard service match with good results in my Colt Diamondback.
Bullet seated to first lube groove not the crimp groove. Takes a little thumb presure to seat in the cylinders.
For service with speed loading and powerfactor requirements I found the 158gn RNFP over
3.4gns of ADI AP50 a good load.
Both will group in 35mm @ 25meters off the bench. If I do my part..

[smkummer]

I used to load 5.4 Unique and that 358477 bullet. It was my first 2 cavity mold for a 38 and .357. I would probably still be using it today but I switched to the Lee 158 SWC 6 cavity as I shoot thousands of 38 (900 FPS) and .357 (1150 FPS) now days. I am now using about 5.1 grains unique and the 158 bullet. That load is comfortable out of medium frame guns that one can shoot all day.

[Shiloh]

My LEE 140 gr SWC (142.6 lubed) loaded at 4.5 gr. Unique gives 840 fps. average.
fine accuracy for me sized at .358. 5 gr. should not be an issue at all. Work up to it and definitely past that point.

Shiloh

[Wally]

My LEE 140 gr SWC (142.6 lubed) loaded at 4.5 gr. Unique gives 840 fps. average.
fine accuracy for me sized at .358. 5 gr. should not be an issue at all. Work up to it and definitely past that point.

Shiloh

I use this same bullet...they cast quite large (.361")...when sized down to .358 the grease grooves are mighty small---I now size mine with a .359" sizer die. Was curious, what do yours run "as cast"?

[gwpercle]

My standard 38 spcl. load is the Lyman # 358477, 150 grain , cast of air cooled wheel wts, lubed with just about any decent lube, over 5.0 grs Unique. Every 38 and 357 mag. I have shot it out of seemed to like it.

A lighter load of 3.5 grs Bullseye is also accurate.

gary

[Char-Gar]

5.4/Unique in inching up toward +P pressure.

Like others 5 grains of Unique is the way to go.
I also like 3.5/Bullseye

[Shiloh]

I use this same bullet...they cast quite large (.361")...when sized down to .358 the grease grooves are mighty small---I now size mine with a .359" sizer die. Was curious, what do yours run "as cast"?

.3603 or a hair more depending on alloy. Experimented with some straight range lead and they were .3595. The ones I have found and cleaned up still have lube in them.

Shiloh

[nicholst55]

I have shot a lot of Unique in .38 Spl and .357 Mag. For this application - as long as there's no power requirement - I think I'd load 4.5 grains of Unique with a 358477. It will most certainly do the job, and will be quite mild in a Python.

[jdgabbard]

Now, I think I'm going to have to break down and load some 358477 over 5g Unique.... Never loaded that boolit in special cases... I've always used the Lee 158g TL over 4g of Unique, which is my go to load. Maybe I'll give that one a try.

[fecmech]

I shoot the Lee TLSWC taper crimped at the first groove in a number of .38 spl and .357 guns. My standard load is 5.0/Unique for 900 fps out of a 6" bbl. Accuracy at 50 yds is 2" or less( revolvers) and at 100 yds out of my 94 Winchester .357 it will average just under 3 moa and 1100 fps. I tried the 358477 in my guns and while accurate it was not quite as accurate as the Lee TL design so I sold the mold. The TL also has the advantage of not needing to be sized as mine drop right at .358 so I just use "Recluse" lube and shoot.

[oscarflytyer]

I use 5gr Unique and a Lee 158gr SWC and my S&W loves them. I played with other combinations, and 5gr Unique seems to be the ticket. I go through a lot of Unique because I run a lot of it in my 12 gauge too.

Specific Lee mold #?

[oscarflytyer]

I used to load 5.4 Unique and that 358477 bullet. It was my first 2 cavity mold for a 38 and .357. I would probably still be using it today but I switched to the Lee 158 SWC 6 cavity as I shoot thousands of 38 (900 FPS) and .357 (1150 FPS) now days. I am now using about 5.1 grains unique and the 158 bullet. That load is comfortable out of medium frame guns that one can shoot all day.

Specific Lee mold # pls? Is this the GC mold. I do NOT want to mess w/ A GC for 38 SPC. Thanx

[oscarflytyer]

I shoot the Lee TLSWC taper crimped at the first groove in a number of .38 spl and .357 guns. My standard load is 5.0/Unique for 900 fps out of a 6" bbl. Accuracy at 50 yds is 2" or less( revolvers) and at 100 yds out of my 94 Winchester .357 it will average just under 3 moa and 1100 fps. I tried the 358477 in my guns and while accurate it was not quite as accurate as the Lee TL design so I sold the mold. The TL also has the advantage of not needing to be sized as mine drop right at .358 so I just use "Recluse" lube and shoot.

Specific Lee mold #? Spooling up for 38 Spc. Thanx

[fecmech]

Specific Lee mold #? Spooling up for 38 Spc. Thanx

Booilt # 90295 in 6 cav. A 158 tumble lube SWC.
http://leeprecision.com/bullet-casting/hand-gun-bullet-molds/bullet-mold-6-cavity/

[smkummer]

Fed Ex Mech got it right. I use the last tumble lube groove as a crimp groove. 900 FPS plus out of a 6 in. Officers Model Match and I can hit any pistol target out to 100 yards with it. It works up to about 1200 FPS out of a .357 but you will get a little leading. I am running about 1100-1150 with Unique out of the .357 also. Accuracy still good.

[GLL]

NOE 360-145 SWC + 5.0gr Unique.

http://www.fototime.com/9DBD9C975E91F3A/standard.jpg

Al's photo
http://www.fototime.com/4EB3DD1AB707654/standard.jpg

Jerry

[Hardcast]

NOE 360-145 SWC + 5.0gr Unique.

http://www.fototime.com/9DBD9C975E91F3A/standard.jpg

Al's photo
http://www.fototime.com/4EB3DD1AB707654/standard.jpg

Jerry

Jerry,

Those boolits are as purty as if they wuz made from sterling silver. :) I assume they have a good bit of tin in the alloy. Anyone know?