38/357 bullet choice

[TommyD]

Hi Veral,

So far, I have 3 of your molds in 45 cal and I love them all. I am thinking of beginning to cast for my 357 revolvers as well. I have both a Ruger Blackhawk and a S&W Centennial 5 shot snubby in .357.

I am not planning to use this caliber for hunting. My 45's have proven entirely satisfactory for that task.

I am looking for an accurate general purpose bullet that will serve for plinking in .38 special (I have lots of brass) and self defense in my Centennial loaded into .357 brass.

What bullet would you recommend for this?

Tom

[mikedb]

I would like to know the answer too.   I am just learning about cast bullets and how effective they can be.  I like to carry my GP100 4 in.  in the woods (no big bears) for protection.  I also have a SP101 that I thought might work with a cast better than a jacket mag load.

[Veral]

  Since you aren't hot to get maximum power, I reccomend a 38 caliber 160 or 170 XS in plainbase.  I developed this bullet for my own 38 4 inch S&W and really like it's performance, as the meplat is maxim width which will shoot accurate and penetrate straight, so kill power is superior to any other cast design.

  This bullet isn't cataloged.  Just ask for it.  It will serve both of you very well.

[HHI 812]

Veral,
What is the meplat of this XS bullet? Want to calculate DV for use in a 357 Maximum 10" contender barrel. Got some 160 grain XS gas check bullets, and wondering max velocity I should aim for, and what would you consider max hunting range with this set up? Any advise on powder, and should I really push it to max velocities?
Thanks,
Dennis

[Veral]

  I would have to measure a bullet to know what meplat diameter is, but know it is around .300 or slightly over.  I designed it specifically for 38 specials and it handles 357 speeds very well, but I can't recommend it for  your 10 in Max, for long range use.  Far better to use a 180 or even 200 gr FN in that gun, if you want it to really snap and shoot flat out to the longest possible ranges with optimum killing speed. 

  The XS would be more of a reduced load bullet in that chambering, as the concept when I designed it was to get the most kill possible from the moderate velocites possible, or maybe fun to shoot loads, would be a more accurate wording.  The big flat isn't for long range high velocity shooting.

[HHI 812]

OK Veral. Which would be your choice for caribou, and whats the longest range you think I can use my 10" T/C to? what kind of velocities you think I can get with your 180 LFN and 200 LFN, both gas checked of course? I have access to both the 180 and 200 FN GC bullets. Not sure if its better to have a 180 FN going faster, or heavier 200 FN going slower? Any advise on powder as well as bullet weight in my 357 Maximum?
Thanks,
Dennis

[facetious]

I got a owc-150 from you in the early 90's and think it has been a good general purpose bullet. I load it over 15gr's of 2400 in .357 and 5gr's of herco in .38 , they have the same POI at 25yd's.

[Veral]

  Since your desire is to feed the 38 for general purpose use, which I assume would include loads with velocities as low as 700 fps, the 160 gr FN would be best.  It can be driven at full magnum velocities in the magnum, even in plain base, though a gas check design is best for full magnum loads, whiclh will be generating velocities upwards of 1600 fps.

  Meplat of the FN is .215 smaller than body diameter, while meplat of the XS is .90 smaller than body, which makes it a mean defense bullet, but it must be driven at full 38 +P power to get good stability.

  The OWC has a meplat .030 smaller than body, but I don't recommend using it where serious deep penetration is needed.  It's best use on live targets is when it is restrictied to body weights probably under 125 pounds or so.  It is the quickest killer with 38 velocities though.

  For larger game up to considerable larger than Carabou, I would recommend the 180 gr FN, gas checked, so it delivers the maximum velocity potential, and driven at magnum power levels.