Bullet Recommendation - 38 SPL

Karl · 08-20-2018, 04:42 PM

Thanks to all for the advice. I will use .357 mag brass and will try out a few types of 158 grain bullets.

As for using .38 bullets in 9mm, technically they could be swaged down to .355 but there are many truncated cone-like 9mm bullets available. See Graf & Sons.

KFS

Rick W. · 08-20-2018, 04:57 PM

My local indoor range has removed any lead bullet other than 22 rimfire from their ok list.

I have ventured into the Berry's arena of plated bullets. Not so bad in price but so far I have not experienced the accuracy had before with lead bullets. I have tried them in 38 special in a 52, a midrange, and a K38, all like the lead more better, but when in Rome.......

I suspect that tis a loading parameter that I am missing with the plated bullets. I tend to reserve nice jacketed bullets for faster cartridges, too expensive for me just plinking around.

In the 38 or 357, I do favor the 125 gr bullet, fast and no recoil really, but there is some blast with the 357. I have tried both the hollow base and double ended wadcutters plated to no real avail yet........again just my load needs to be improved I am sure.

I finally had enough of the short cases in the longer cylinder routine, so got a few M14 Smiths and reserved the 38's just for them. Brushing out the ring is not my favorite things to do. One can reload the 357 down some, and not have the short ring problem in the chambers if you so wish. You could do worse with the powders you mentioned............

Major Tom · 08-21-2018, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karl

Thanks to all for the advice. I will use .357 mag brass and will try out a few types of 158 grain bullets.

As for using .38 bullets in 9mm, technically they could be swaged down to .355 but there are many truncated cone-like 9mm bullets available. See Graf & Sons.

KFS

GT BULLETS (not our GT), has 115gr. 9mm lead bullets that look like the old German truncated ones. They are $9+ per/100

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08-20-2018, 04:42 PM	#1
Karl Lifer - Twice Over Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Savannah Posts: 530 Thanks: 0 Thanked 280 Times in 123 Posts	Thanks to all for the advice. I will use .357 mag brass and will try out a few types of 158 grain bullets. As for using .38 bullets in 9mm, technically they could be swaged down to .355 but there are many truncated cone-like 9mm bullets available. See Graf & Sons. KFS

08-20-2018, 04:57 PM	#2
Rick W. User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 339 Thanks: 81 Thanked 359 Times in 198 Posts	My local indoor range has removed any lead bullet other than 22 rimfire from their ok list. I have ventured into the Berry's arena of plated bullets. Not so bad in price but so far I have not experienced the accuracy had before with lead bullets. I have tried them in 38 special in a 52, a midrange, and a K38, all like the lead more better, but when in Rome....... I suspect that tis a loading parameter that I am missing with the plated bullets. I tend to reserve nice jacketed bullets for faster cartridges, too expensive for me just plinking around. In the 38 or 357, I do favor the 125 gr bullet, fast and no recoil really, but there is some blast with the 357. I have tried both the hollow base and double ended wadcutters plated to no real avail yet........again just my load needs to be improved I am sure. I finally had enough of the short cases in the longer cylinder routine, so got a few M14 Smiths and reserved the 38's just for them. Brushing out the ring is not my favorite things to do. One can reload the 357 down some, and not have the short ring problem in the chambers if you so wish. You could do worse with the powders you mentioned............