.38 125-grain Coated Lead Bullets for a Snubby

[revchuck38]

I recently got an S&W 642-2 and am enjoying shooting it. I found that it shoots to POA with 125-grain bullets, so the >2k of 158-grain RNL I have loaded will remain K-frame fodder.

Looking at different websites, it seems that there are two main flavors of 125-grain .38 bullets, an RNFP and a TC. I know there are companies that will size 9mm bullets to the proper diameter, but I want to stick with revolver bullets because I prefer to roll crimp revolver loads. I don't have a .38 lever gun so I don't need the RNFP design, but I wouldn't mind it. My instinct is to go with the TC bullet solely because it'd cut prettier holes in paper. Velocity will be about 800-850 fps from the snubby to duplicate carry ammo.

Has anybody tried both designs and found a significant difference? Thanks!

[BN]

http://www.bayoubullets.net/categories/hi-tek-supercoat-bullets/38-357.html

Bayou has a 124 grain round nose.

edit to add: I've been shooting Bayou's 138 grain wad cutter over 3.0 grains of Bullseye. Does 750 FPS in my 4" Model 10.

[fatdog]

Cannot comment on the comparison, but I have loaded many thousands of the truncated cone 125gr lead flat point bullets from Missouri bullet company and been very satisfied. I started loading them for CAS competition with 3.3gr of Titegroup or Trailboss, but then increased the charge a bit to be J frame and D frame practice loads. They have worked very well and the MO bullet company product has been very consistent. I don't know if their rnfp is better or equal. I switched to the coated version for the snubby practice loads and I believe it has reduced leading slightly.

[revchuck38]

http://www.bayoubullets.net/categories/hi-tek-supercoat-bullets/38-357.html

Bayou has a 124 grain round nose.

edit to add: I've been shooting Bayou's 138 grain wad cutter over 3.0 grains of Bullseye. Does 750 FPS in my 4" Model 10.

Their 124-grain RN is a 9mm bullet sized to .358, looking for a revolver-specific bullet; my 642 is finicky as to bullet weight and POA - there's an obvious difference between 148s and 158s, and both are above POA at five yards, the 158s more so.

[willie]

Logic says that both 125 grain bullets would shoot to same point of aim. Missouri Bullets has a great reputation. I have some of theirs not yet loaded. They are filled out properly.

[revchuck38]

Just ordered 1k of the TC bullets from Missouri Bullets. I have about 900 rounds of .40 S&W 180 RNLs to load, then I'll switch the 550 over to .38 Special.

Thanks for the replies, all!

[revchuck38]

Update: I've loaded those bullets and have gone through about 300 of them so far. I loaded the first 100 with 6.2 grains of CFE-P, Hodgdon's max standard pressure load for that powder. It wasn't a happy combination, resulting in smoked cases and okay accuracy. CFE-P works really well in .40 S&W, I guess it just needs more pressure. Then I tried 4.8 grains of HP-38, again Hodgdon's max standard pressure load, and this worked much better. It burns pretty cleanly, gives good accuracy, and chronographs right at 800 fps, which is about what the 130-grain factory hardball does. 100 rounds in a range session is no big deal. I've got most of a .30 cal ammo can of it left.

I just got a thousand of their 125-grain RNFPs to see if they work differently. I'm going to use the same powder and charge but add some more crimp to see if I can get it to burn more cleanly. I'm going to finish that pound of HP-38 and then open the new eight-pound jug of BE-86 and see how that works out.

[358156hp]

Consider trying Reddings "Profile Crimp" die. The profile crimp is a combination of a taper crimp and a roll crimp. I use it a lot on semi-wadcutters, but haven't tried it with stubby little TCs.

[Spartan1980]

Update: I've loaded those bullets and have gone through about 300 of them so far. I loaded the first 100 with 6.2 grains of CFE-P, Hodgdon's max standard pressure load for that powder. It wasn't a happy combination, resulting in smoked cases and okay accuracy. CFE-P works really well in .40 S&W, I guess it just needs more pressure. Then I tried 4.8 grains of HP-38, again Hodgdon's max standard pressure load, and this worked much better. It burns pretty cleanly, gives good accuracy, and chronographs right at 800 fps, which is about what the 130-grain factory hardball does. 100 rounds in a range session is no big deal. I've got most of a .30 cal ammo can of it left.

I just got a thousand of their 125-grain RNFPs to see if they work differently. I'm going to use the same powder and charge but add some more crimp to see if I can get it to burn more cleanly. I'm going to finish that pound of HP-38 and then open the new eight-pound jug of BE-86 and see how that works out.

I think you'll like the BE-86. It's a great powder. Extremely versatile.


Consider trying Reddings "Profile Crimp" die. The profile crimp is a combination of a taper crimp and a roll crimp. I use it a lot on semi-wadcutters, but haven't tried it with stubby little TCs.

The Redding profile crimp die is the best thing since sliced bread as long as you have a groove to crimp into.

[camsdaddy]

I ordered some coated 125 from acme. I loaded them on top of 3.5 of bullseye. I like them but think I prefer the 148 DEWC over 3.0 of bullseye.

[revchuck38]

I think you'll like the BE-86. It's a great powder. Extremely versatile.

I'm hoping it'll work like Unique, but meter better and give more consistent velocities. The goal is to have "one powder to rule them all."



The Redding profile crimp die is the best thing since sliced bread as long as you have a groove to crimp into.

I had set the crimp die up when I was loading 158 Berry's RNs seated to where the ogive just begins to curve in. That's the bullet I used when I was shooting IDPA SSR and the goal was to have the case mouth follow the ogive so the round would smoothly slip into the chamber on reloads. I just loaded 100 rounds and adjusted the crimp so the case mouth is almost to the bottom of the crimp groove. It was a pretty big adjustment. The profile crimp might do better - I have one for my .41 Mag die set - but I think this should work fine.

[Spartan1980]

I'm hoping it'll work like Unique, but meter better and give more consistent velocities. The goal is to have "one powder to rule them all."


In that case you'll love BE-86. I consider it an almost direct replacement for Unique. I don't know if it'll go into small rifle cartridges like Unique will but in handgun calibers it covers basically EVERYTHING. Metering is great in my experience.

[Tokarev]

They are not coated but appear to be the style you're looking for:

https://rimrockbullets.com/xcart/-38-357-swc-fb-125-gr-per-500.html

Another possibility:

http://www.gtbullets.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=35
Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

[revchuck38]

They are not coated but appear to be the style you're looking for:

https://rimrockbullets.com/xcart/-38-357-swc-fb-125-gr-per-500.html

That's exactly the style I'm looking for, but for me having the coating is more important. Thanks!

[Tokarev]

That's exactly the style I'm looking for, but for me having the coating is more important. Thanks!


I wish GT would offer coating as an option.

Here's another possible option. I have not used these so can't comment on the quality, etc.

https://www.badmanbullets.com/OnlineStore/categories.php?cat=38+and+357+Caliber+Polymer+Coat ed+Bullets

[tankpondman]

Https://Gallantbullets.com

:cool:

[Borderland]

This is all I use in my S&W 36 for paper.

http://www.acmebullet.com/bullets-reloading-brass/38-CAL-Lead-Cast-Bullets?product_id=479

I've tried a few others but like these the best. Check POA/POI before you buy a large quantity.

Good luck.

[Alpha Sierra]

I don't know about you guys but I'm about done messing with coated bullets. The only one that I have found to reliably not leave any lead behind are Blue Bullets. And for what they charge, another 5 - 10 cents a bullet more gets me a plated bullet of the same weight which leave my barrels spotless.

[Spartan1980]

I don't know about you guys but I'm about done messing with coated bullets. The only one that I have found to reliably not leave any lead behind are Blue Bullets. And for what they charge, another 5 - 10 cents a bullet more gets me a plated bullet of the same weight which leave my barrels spotless.

Well try out a hand full before you go buying them in cases. My 686 runs the 147 Extreme plated well enough for USPSA but my 625 absolutely refuses to shoot their 230s. No matter how many loads I work up it's a 12" shotgun pattern at 25 yards with no tumbling, just craptastic grouping. Any 230 coated is 10 ring all day long with about whatever powder I grab.

[LittleLebowski]

I don't know about you guys but I'm about done messing with coated bullets. The only one that I have found to reliably not leave any lead behind are Blue Bullets. And for what they charge, another 5 - 10 cents a bullet more gets me a plated bullet of the same weight which leave my barrels spotless.

I should check my barrels...

[Alpha Sierra]

Well try out a hand full before you go buying them in cases. My 686 runs the 147 Extreme plated well enough for USPSA but my 625 absolutely refuses to shoot their 230s. No matter how many loads I work up it's a 12" shotgun pattern at 25 yards with no tumbling, just craptastic grouping. Any 230 coated is 10 ring all day long with about whatever powder I grab.

Roger that. I always buy a sample pack (usually 100) to try before going in the whole hog.

[Alpha Sierra]

I should check my barrels...

I've used coated bullets from SNS, Blue Bullets, Missouri Bullet, Bayou Bullets, and Brazos Precision.

Worst I've ever seen are Brazos. They are crazy cheap but the mess they leave behind isn't worth it to me.

[Borderland]

I don't know about you guys but I'm about done messing with coated bullets. The only one that I have found to reliably not leave any lead behind are Blue Bullets. And for what they charge, another 5 - 10 cents a bullet more gets me a plated bullet of the same weight which leave my barrels spotless.

I've ditched the coated bullets for my autos. The prices aren't that much different than Speer FMJ. Probably has something to do with sales volume. I watch for sales and stock up when I find those. Sometimes I shoot indoors in the winter and those ranges don't like coated bullets. I still shoot coated in my revolvers outdoors.

[Alpha Sierra]

I've ditched the coated bullets for my autos. The prices aren't that much different than Speer FMJ. Probably has something to do with sales volume. I watch for sales and stock up when I find those. Sometimes I shoot indoors in the winter and those ranges don't like coated bullets. I still shoot coated in my revolvers outdoors.

I have 100 more loaded rounds of coated lead 9 mm. That's it. The other 900 that I keep ready loaded at all times now has 147 gr RNFP plated bullets from Rocky Mountain Reloading.

All my 38 Spcl loads are topped with 158 gr RNFP plated from Everglades Ammunition.

[jtcarm]

I’ve never used it, but Brazos Precision has a coated 125 TK.