View Full Version : 38 super
Is anyone casting for 38 super, and what bullet are you using?
Thanks Scott
skeettx
12-28-2017, 12:34 PM
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
Thanks Mike, I know about the cartridge Have been reloading for it with jacketed, just looking for cast ideas.
Kraschenbirn
12-28-2017, 09:17 PM
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
12-28-2017, 11:18 PM
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
12-28-2017, 11:21 PM
.356 or .357 depending on who made the barrel
vzerone
12-28-2017, 11:40 PM
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
12-29-2017, 06:20 AM
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.
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
12-29-2017, 11:04 AM
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
12-29-2017, 01:39 PM
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.
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
12-29-2017, 03:39 PM
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.
Thanks guys you give me some good ideas.
Gunslinger1911
12-30-2017, 08:45 AM
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
12-31-2017, 04:34 PM
Lyman 358311, sized to 356.
vzerone
12-31-2017, 04:51 PM
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
01-01-2018, 11:46 AM
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.
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.
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