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Posted: 12/9/2010 7:47:05 PM EDT
| .38 special and .357 mag use the same bullets right? And the same dies? Do the dies need to be adjusted differently or is everything the same for both? Also, if I buy lead bullets do I need ot add a gas check to them? I currently load .308, .223, 3006 and .40, is there anything particular to .38 and or .357? Or is it just like loading .40? |
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.38 special and .357 mag use the same bullets right? Yes And the same dies? Yes if you use 38 dies. Do the dies need to be adjusted differently or is everything the same for both? Have to adjust for the different length of cases. RCBS used to have a washer in their die set that made this easy. Also, if I buy lead bullets do I need to add a gas check to them? Depends on velocity, below 1,000 fps no. I currently load .308, .223, 3006 and .40, is there anything particular to .38 and or .357? Loads must be taper or roll crimped. Roll crimp being what comes built in the dies. Taper crimp is normally a separate die you add to the set. I prefer to seat bullets and crimp in separate dies. Or is it just like loading .40? No comment, I don't load 40. eta, corrected die selection that I had mixed up. |
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Bullets are the same. Buy .38 SPL dies––I have seen sets specifically made for .357 and the were too long for .38 cases. The resizing/depriming die setting will be the same for both. The expander/bell and seater/crimp dies will have to be adjusted up/down when going from .38 to .357 or vice versa. You can buy cast bullets with a gas check, but pricewise they're pretty much on par with jacketed bullets. I probably shoot several hundred cast bullets for every jacketed bullet, and I don't use gas checks. Gas checks, as a general rule, aren't needed unless you're shooting 1800 fps+. Revolver cartridges require a roll crimp. The .40, being a bottom feeder cartridge, uses a taper crimp. Make sure you buy dies with a roll crimp––-both types are available for .38/.357. Cast bullets for .38/.357 and .44 that haven't been sized or lubed yet.   Solid version of the .357 bullet  |
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If I buy lead bullets do I need to lube them? YOU don't usually need to lube your store bought lead bullets. They usually come already lubed. If so, how do you do it? IF....you must do it. There is a luber/sizer machine (expensive and time consuming). But, FORGETABOUTIT............just buy your lead bullets already lubed. BTW, some lubes are better than others and some bullets are better than others. Think: Purpose. I remember seeing lube dies so I assume you don't just slather some on there, right? It could be done in various ways with various success. But, since you're starting out..........as I said..........FORGETABOUTIT (buy them already lubed). Why do you lube lead bullet? Usually when a lead bullet speeds down the bore of your firearm it will probably deposit some amount of lead and over time the lead deposits will degrade accuracy. In order to minimize the lead deposits and keep accuracy...........we like to play with things. The main factors (not in any particular order) are: 1) speed of the bullet 2) hardness of the lead 3) lube 4) bullet size in relation to the bore size Hope that helps to explain things. Aloha, Mark |
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On the subject of gas ghecks, I spent a lot of time shooting and reloading 38/.357 catridges for several different handguns years ago. I cast my own bullets and carefully inspected, weighed, sized and lubed every one as though it was my only bullet, I was very picky. I dicovered that no matter how careful I was in making un-gas checked bullets, they would not shoot as good /accurately as the gas checked bullets. I also discovered that in short barreled revolvers (2"-4"), 38 special,+P or +P+ was preferred over .357 Magnum and only used .357 Magnum loads in 5" through 10" barrels like the T/C Contenders and such. I worked at a gunshop/indoor range for a while and I would sweep up piles of un-burnt powder laying on the floor (I believe) from short barreled guns and take it out back and burn it.
10mm, when you care enough to send the very best. |
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If I buy lead bullets do I need to lube them? If so, how do you do it? I remember seeing lube dies so I assume you don't just slather some on there, right? Why do you lube lead bullet? if you buy lead bullets, they will be lubed. If you cast them yourself, then you should size and lube them. Some Lee designs of cast bullets are the exception. |
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Redding sells the spacers also.
Lee also manufactures a liquid alox that you use when lubing. Place bullets in a small tupperware container, drizzle some lube on them, shake them around a bit and lay then out to dry. When you do this the entire bullet is lubed, not just the grooves. Some shooters don't like this. Also, some guys dillute the alox with mineral spirits IIRC. Check out castboolits.com, there's a ton of good info over there on casting, reloading and shooting cast bullets. |
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Redding sells the spacers also. Lee also manufactures a liquid alox that you use when lubing. Place bullets in a small tupperware container, drizzle some lube on them, shake them around a bit and lay then out to dry. When you do this the entire bullet is lubed, not just the grooves. Some shooters don't like this. Also, some guys dillute the alox with mineral spirits IIRC. Check out castboolits.com, there's a ton of good info over there on casting, reloading and shooting cast bullets. Thanks. I am not looking to cast bullets, but I was looking around at .38/.357 bullets and lead is a lot cheaper than plated or jacketed so I figured that was the way to go. I load a lot of other calibers but have never used lead for any of them so I didn't know the procedure. Thanks for the info fellers. |
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I have settled on two lead bullets in 357.
148 gr HBWC, (hollow base wad cutter), Hornady in the bulk packs. I load them to about 750-800 fps. Great target load. For more power, a 158 gr SWC, Hornady loaded to 950-1,000 fps. Both of these Hornady bullets are soft swaged bullets, so keep to below 1,000 fps with them. For more speed and power a hard cast 158 gr SWC at 1,200 fps is good also. These bullets can also be loaded in 38 Special. |
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