reloading 38specials

[clovishound]

I loaded some rounds with X-treme plated RNFP and plated SWC. They were all over the place - too fast for plated bullets.
.

Yep, you've gotta use a faster powder for those. If you step up to the heavy plate Xtremes, and use a non magnum powder like Universal, Unique, or even the really fast stuff, the speeds should be down to where they need to be. The accuracy should be somewhere close to the full house magnum loads, although maybe not out at the 100 yd ranges.

With a good look at the data, you should be able to find a powder that will stay under 1200 fps. You will have to do some interpolation, as the .357 Hogdgon data for rifle only lists a jacketed and a lead bullet for 158 grain. Speeds for plated will likely be lower than lead speeds given the same powder load. A trip past the Chrony will tell you for sure. Or, just load them with lead data and stay under 1200 fps by the book, and they should be slower than listed.

[larry7293]

Could I use the Missouri Bullet "358158RNFP .358 Diameter158 Grain RNFPBrinell 12For Tubular Magazines" to reload in a .357 case? Missouri Bullet has these listed under 38specials not in the 357 magnum section? If I could use these what powder would you say to use{maybe Bullseye} and how many grains? Wouldn't the powder load be different for the 358mag than using the 38sp case or could I load the same powder amount in either case?

thanks

[DWD445]

Could I use the Missouri Bullet "358158RNFP .358 Diameter158 Grain RNFPBrinell 12For Tubular Magazines" to reload in a .357 case? Missouri Bullet has these listed under 38specials not in the 357 magnum section? If I could use these what powder would you say to use{maybe Bullseye} and how many grains? Wouldn't the powder load be different for the 358mag than using the 38sp case or could I load the same powder amount in either case?

thanks

Yes on MBC bullets, 38 & 357 are same diameter and .358 will work also.
38spl and 357mag powder charge will be less in 38s, but the bullets should work for both.
Don't have specs. for bullseye, you'll have to look it up.

[larry7293]

Keeping with the lead bullets from Missouri bullet, Alliant BE86 powder seems like a possible choice. 38sp 4.6gr and 357mag 8.1gr. If I can find the BE 86 powder. What do you think of this idea using the RNFB cowboy 15 bullets? Not sure about the Ranger 1 bullet at Missouri bullet - maybe to hard??

[Steve51]

I loaded some rounds with X-treme plated RNFP and plated SWC. They were all over the place - too fast for plated bullets.
.

Yep, you've gotta use a faster powder for those. If you step up to the heavy plate Xtremes, and use a non magnum powder like Universal, Unique, or even the really fast stuff, the speeds should be down to where they need to be. The accuracy should be somewhere close to the full house magnum loads, although maybe not out at the 100 yd ranges.

With a good look at the data, you should be able to find a powder that will stay under 1200 fps. You will have to do some interpolation, as the .357 Hogdgon data for rifle only lists a jacketed and a lead bullet for 158 grain. Speeds for plated will likely be lower than lead speeds given the same powder load. A trip past the Chrony will tell you for sure. Or, just load them with lead data and stay under 1200 fps by the book, and they should be slower than listed.

I am not sure what you mean about the "heavy plate Xtremes." When I look at the X-treme website, I only see copper plated and FMJ bullets and their FMJ bullets are not available in .357 or .358. Maybe it was another website that sold heavy plated bullets.

[clovishound]

Their hollow point plated bullets are heavier plate and are rated at 1500 fps rather than the 1200 the others are.

OK, after rereading their info, it appears that only the concave base are heavy plated. It does recommend either the heavy plate concave base, or the hollow points for velocities over 1200 and up to 1500.

[Steve51]

Their hollow point plated bullets are heavier plate and are rated at 1500 fps rather than the 1200 the others are.

OK, after rereading their info, it appears that only the concave base are heavy plated. It does recommend either the heavy plate concave base, or the hollow points for velocities over 1200 and up to 1500.

Okay. I did find that info in their "bullet/load data" section. Thank you.

I am pretty happy with my current .357 rifle load and I really don't want to drop velocity, so I will use my plated bullets for .38 spl and .38 +P loads.