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leadhead
10-17-2020, 04:09 PM
Has anyone ever shot the RCBS 38-162 SWC bullet, and how did it shoot?
Is it a gas check bullet and if so, how does it shoot without the check?
Thanks for any info.
Denny

beagle
10-18-2020, 08:47 PM
One of my favorite .38/.357 moulds. Naturally, I have to modify things a little. Reamed the GC shank off and hollow pointed one cavity. Gives me a nice heavy bullet with a HP. Then, I got one of Pat Marlin's PB GC rigs and seated PB pop can GC's on it.
The nose is shorter than the 358429 and seated in the seating groove in a .357 case, it feeds through my Marlin M1894 and the 358429's too long. With this success, I tried it in the Ruger Blackhawks. Does great in my 4 5/8 and also in the 6. Got a Herco load that shoots well in all three and that's where I am now. The big ogive makes a loud slap when it hits and the HP cavity is a bonus.
In .38 cases, it shoots well in the M15 Smith and also works well in lower powered loads in .38 cases in the Marlin.
Now, I'm a dyed in the wool fan of the 358429, and I love the 358156 with a HP and the GC shank removed with a PB GC, the 358477HP is good too. If I had to have one, it would be the modified 38-162-SWC. Works in everything./beagle

oldhenry
10-18-2020, 10:19 PM
I've had that mold for about 25 or 30 years.

It is a gas check mold.

I find it to be accurate, but I don't use it very much simply because I shoot very few gas checked boolits.

I've never loaded it w/o the check.

leadhead
10-19-2020, 08:32 AM
Thanks guys.... I have one coming, and don't like using gas checks either.
I have a machinist buddy that can remove it if need be. I'll try it without
the check first. I don't shoot balls to the wall loads, so we'll see how it goes.
Denny

sghart3578
10-19-2020, 10:58 AM
I use it in my 1894CS. The bullets drop at .360" which is perfect. It is very accurate for me.

leadhead
10-19-2020, 08:17 PM
With or without the check?
Denny

sghart3578
10-20-2020, 12:42 AM
With the check, about 1500 fps. (12.5 gr of 2400)


Steve

leadhead
10-20-2020, 07:59 PM
Does RCBS even make the 38-162 SWC anymore?
I can't find it on there bullet chart.
Denny

sghart3578
10-20-2020, 10:47 PM
I don't know. I lucked into mine used on Ebay.

Steve

cowboy4evr
10-21-2020, 10:41 AM
Tom @ Accurate Molds makes a copy of the Ray Thompson swc , double crimp grooves . He has it w/ gas check and plain base . The plain base bullets come out weighing 162-163 grs . I have literally cast a ton of them using 2/ 4 cav molds . It gets a lot of use in my 357's , very very accurate . regards Paul

leadhead
10-21-2020, 11:48 AM
Yea Steve.... I got mine on E-bay too. It looked a little rusty but
I bought it anyhow, and it cleaned up like new. Cast some bullets
with it yesterday and they came out of the blocks perfect. I have
a buddy that's going to remove the gas check for me. I just don't
plan on pushing them that hard.
Denny