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Re: Favourite 38Spl or 357 Mag loads

Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2014 9:15 pm
by DavidRees
Dougan wrote:Tried a 10 shot group at 25m tonight, sitting with the front end rested on a bag...
VERY nice. Any idea what the load chronographs at? I tried a 158gr LRNFP pushed by 3.3gr N320 in a .357 case a while back. Group size was not wonderful, and the load gave 846fps, and 251ft-lbs, so I went over to different powders. 4.1gr N320 may well get the bullet close to 1,100fps, but the accuracy is well worth having...

I'll certainly put some of this load together, and see how it works out for me - that is a very, very nice group! Numbers to follow...

Re: Favourite 38Spl or 357 Mag loads

Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2014 9:48 pm
by Dougan
I'd love to know what they chrono at - I borrowed one a while back, but couldn't get it to work under the range lights...

...According to the Vhit data; the load should be similar to the max 'cowboy action' load for the same bullet weight and powder in 38 special...the book gives 840 fps, which sounds about right...I wouldn't call it pokey, and it's no where near a factory round for noise and kick.

I really like the boolit* I'm using at the moment, which is softer than ones I've used previously and has a nice shape - If you're going to 'replicate' the round then a 158gn TC would be closest.

*My boolits come from Rog (Dodgyrog on here) - He's probably getting a bit p*** off as I'm starting to sound like an advert for them...but I recon they're way better than any other cast bullet I've tried (and it doesn't bother me that he uses the pubic hair from a Brazilian waxing salon for flux or what ever it is... razz )

Re: Favourite 38Spl or 357 Mag loads

Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2014 11:54 pm
by DavidRees
158gr LTC it will be, then; GM bullets are all I have. I might be able to do some testing this Sunday -- depends how busy the range is.

Re: Favourite 38Spl or 357 Mag loads

Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2014 7:59 am
by Tony-c
anyone recomend a decent priced shop that will ship bullets, .358 158gr TC lead, I used to buy in bulk from a guy at phoenix, but having not been up there for a bit I find Im suddenly looking at rather low stock and need at least 1000 more

Im prepared for a shock as the last time I bought them I paid £45 per 1000

ok just found them on Kranks, flippin eck £70 a 1000 delivered

wish I had bought a lot more of them back then LOL

Re: Favourite 38Spl or 357 Mag loads

Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2014 8:22 am
by DavidRees
I use Kranks, mainly because their £4 postage fee is not too bad spread across several boxes of bullets. I tend to get 2000 at a time.

I was at the Phoenix last month, but prices for GM bullets in the trade tents were actually worse than Kranks. The UK Gallery Rifle Squad had a tent near Melville, though, and they had GM bullets at more reasonable prices.

Re: Favourite 38Spl or 357 Mag loads

Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2014 8:30 am
by Tony-c
will try and find out what the GR boys are charging and then maybe just buy 500 to get me through till the next Bisley event and then do a decent buy

Re: Favourite 38Spl or 357 Mag loads

Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2014 8:41 am
by DavidRees
I paid £50 cash (negotiated down from £52) for 2 boxes of 500 GM 148gr DEWCBB. I think Kranks ask £60.40 for the same quantity, plus delivery.

I can see why you might want to keep your order low, but another technique might be to see if others in your club would like to join you in an order, then go to Kranks and try to get a discount for a reasonable quantity.

I get through quite a few bullets per year, and though buying cheap at Bisley feels good, I'd rather not reduce my shooting due to lack of the bullets I need. So Kranks gets quite a bit of business from me. At least the extra I pay helps keep a good gunshop going, and they often have bits I cannot get locally (in fact, there's very little I CAN get locally, come to think of it).

Re: Favourite 38Spl or 357 Mag loads

Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2014 11:21 am
by Mike357
Shellhouse Bullet Company might be worth a try.

Re: Favourite 38Spl or 357 Mag loads

Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2014 7:11 pm
by Steve
9 grains of 2400 with a 158g RNFP (my own made from range lead) is an accurate load in my Winchester 94ae and chrono'd its doing around 900fps.Apart from the flier-im happy with this.
Image

However,recently i changed to Blue Dot which seems alright,but just need to tweek it a bit till im happy.

Re: Favourite 38Spl or 357 Mag loads

Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2014 7:50 pm
by dodgyrog
Mike357 wrote:Shellhouse Bullet Company might be worth a try.
Wash your mouth out - traitor!