.38 SPL and MBC's 105gr coated TCFP

[Palladan44]

I have some beautifully cleaned .38 Special cases laying around. I wanted to try out Missouri Bullet Co.s 105gr TCFP coated bullets in them. Thinking on using WW-231 for em. I want them light and accurate.... any suggestions or experiences with these?
Any suggestions on other online bulletmakers that could be of competition to these?
Thanks.

 

[Soonerpesek]

Coated Bullets - .38/.357 - snscasting

Give these guys a look...............................fast shipping also............

 

[Thomasss]

Why so light a bullet? I find .38 cal. bullets on the heavy side to be more accurate and shot with minimum load are more fun to shoot.
And I can't find a load for yours. The only that is close is a jacketed Hdy. XTP.

 

[fxvr5]

Why so light a bullet? I find .38 cal. bullets on the heavy side to be more accurate and shot with minimum load are more fun to shoot.

Have you tried the 105 grain bullets with light charges?

 

[Thomasss]

Nope. I load 125, 140, 148, 150 and 158 and do just fine.

 

[fxvr5]

Nope. I load 125, 140, 148, 150 and 158 and do just fine.

Then how do you know the 105s won't be just as good if not better?

 

[brewer12345]

I ended up trading for a pile of 105 grain Lee SWCs for 38 that were cast out of kind of hard alloy. I coated them and sized and then started playing with loads. I found an accurate load kind of at the top of my ladder and loaded some up. I would say they are not as accurate as 148 grain DEWCs or 158 grain SWCs, but they are good enough. With the small bullet and higher powder charge they aren't high recoil, but they are "blasty" if you know what I mean. Maybe if they were cast out of something a little softer they would shoot well with a lighter charge. Although I ended up with a 30 cal ammo can of these bullets, I don't feel compelled to go buy a mold for it and will just shoot them up and move on.

 

[mdi]

FWIW; and not really an answer, but the lightest weight, lightest recoiling 38 bullet I've used is a cast 125 g. LRNFP. The most accurate reload I've tried is a fairly soft 150 gr. DEWC over a light load of Bullseye. I have only read of reloading 105 gr bullets in a 38 Special but never tried, but some folks even reload 35 cal. balls...

 

[Catpop]

Never tried 105s or 125s. But I am quite satisfied with 148-150 wadcutters over 2.7 BE.
I, being quite frugal to put it politely, may give 105s a spin if I ever use up the pounds of 150s I have on hand.
Hey 45 gr is quite a savings in lead! I did mention I was tight didn’t I?

 

[lordpaxman]

I’ve had good luck with these guys:

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

I like the 138gr BNWC, but they have some at 95gr if you’re looking for really light. They may make a really nice steel load. What’s your intended application?

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I have some beautifully cleaned .38 Special cases laying around. I wanted to try out Missouri Bullet Co.s 105gr TCFP coated bullets in them. Thinking on using WW-231 for em. I want them light and accurate.... any suggestions or experiences with these?
Any suggestions on other online bulletmakers that could be of competition to these?
Thanks.

The Lyman’s 44th has data for light cast .38Spl loads.

I have some Saeco SWC 115’s cast in WW and lubed w/ Alox that I use in .380, 9mm and .38Spl. They feed lousy in semi autos but are very accurate when they do chamber. They fit fine in a revolver but are just undersized enough not to be very accurate but they are fun! No recoil with just 2gr of Bullseye. Good enough for popping soda bottles.

 

[Random 8]

I think you're on the right track with W231 if that's the fastest powder you have. It really shines with the ACME 125 TC that I shoot a lot of for IHMSA silhouette, but I am running a fullish power .38 load here at 4.5 gr. MIne are BHN15. The bullet is stable and accurate to 100m+ as fired in my 10"TC Contender. If you could find someTG, Trailboss, WST or Bullseye, those might be a better fit. Fast is your friend here. I personally haven't felt the need to go that light, but wouldn't be above some experimentation. My TC 10" tends to hit very high with anything heavier than 125s unless I stomp on them. 105s would give me an option. Penn bullets made a TC in this ballpark, but I'm not sure if they are still in business.

 

[dannyd]

The only load data I have been able to find so far is in Lyman Cast bullets manual for the 105 SWC. I use W231 and they are fairly accurate with light recoil.

 

[Thomasss]

Many articles from experts that are way more knowledgeable than me have shown the 150 to 158 grain bullets are the most accurate. In addition the gain twist in S&W and many Colt revolvers would lend themselves to be more precise with heavier bullets.

 

[Rule3]

Then how do you know the 105s won't be just as good if not better?

I think if you took a survey of revolver shooters you would find that not many use 105 gr bullets. Must be a reason. But they make them so there must be a reason for that as well.No I have not and don't plan on it.

Guess it depends on what they are used for?
Most snub 38 hand guns shoot the 158 grain point of aim.

Yes HP38 (W231) is a excellent powder for any 38 special. Hence the name HP38

https://www.badmanbullets.com/OnlineStore/105.php

 

[brewer12345]

The only load data I have been able to find so far is in Lyman Cast bullets manual for the 105 SWC. I use W231 and they are fairly accurate with light recoil.

View attachment 1128476

For a lead saver, lots of people have had good success with the Lee 125 grain RNFP in revolver and lever. Works in 9MM too if you fiddle around with seating.

 

[fxvr5]

Many articles from experts that are way more knowledgeable than me have shown the 150 to 158 grain bullets are the most accurate.

Interesting. Do you know of any sources you can direct me to? Thanks.

Many articles from experts that are way more knowledgeable than me have shown the 150 to 158 grain bullets are the most accurate. In addition the gain twist in S&W and many Colt revolvers would lend themselves to be more precise with heavier bullets.

Does S&W use gain twist rifling in the 38/357 revolvers?

 

[fxvr5]

I think if you took a survey of revolver shooters you would find that not many use 105 gr bullets. Must be a reason.

Probably because they don't know they exist.

 

[mdi]

I went to the Missouri site and saw they listed the 105 gr. bullets under "Cowboy shooting". Steel plate accuracy and quick (no recoil) follow up shots are the important aspects needed of these bullets...

 

[ms6852]

Don't have experience with light weight bullets. I only use 158 grainers on my .357 magnum. I do have experience with Missouri coated bullets and I am pleased with them.

 

[dannyd]

For a lead saver, lots of people have had good success with the Lee 125 grain RNFP in revolver and lever. Works in 9MM too if you fiddle around with seati.

Definitely, I have shot 23,754 of the Lee 125's; just got the 105 mould and it works too, but limited load data.

 

[gwpercle]

I cast my own with a Lee double cavity mould .
Size them .357" they work well in light 38 Special loads w/ 3.0 to 3.5 grains W-231 ...
... or my pet load of 2.7 grs. Bullseye ... save on alloy and powder .
This little bullet works exceptionally well in light loads for 9mm Luger . I have an old WWII era Walther P-38 that loves this bullet when loaded with just enough Unique to cycle 100% ... soft shooting and soft recoiling ... and accurate as all get out .
If you have a 9mm Luger ...try it , I size mine .357" for the 9 mm .
Gary

 

[dannyd]

I cast my own with a Lee double cavity mould .
Size them .357" they work well in light 38 Special loads w/ 3.0 to 3.5 grains W-231 ...
... or my pet load of 2.7 grs. Bullseye ... save on alloy and powder .
This little bullet works exceptionally well in light loads for 9mm Luger . I have an old WWII era Walther P-38 that loves this bullet when loaded with just enough Unique to cycle 100% ... soft shooting and soft recoiling ... and accurate as all get out .
If you have a 9mm Luger ...try it , I size mine .357" for the 9 mm .
Gary

Because of the number of rounds I shoot a year have two 6 cavity Lee 125's to keep up.

 

[Series70]

I have some beautifully cleaned .38 Special cases laying around. I wanted to try out Missouri Bullet Co.s 105gr TCFP coated bullets in them....
Any suggestions on other online bulletmakers that could be of competition to these?
Thanks.

I was very satisfied doing business with T&B Bullets for their 38 sp coated. https://tbbullets.com/bullets/polymer-coated-handgun/38-357/

 

[rfwobbly]

I think if you took a survey of revolver shooters you would find that not many use 105 gr bullets. Must be a reason.

Probably because they don't know they exist.

IMHO, your assumptions are incorrect. True: I did not know they existed. Why? Because I never went looking for a bullet to complicate my enjoyment of shooting.

From my experience it's known that very light bullets are not very fun to shoot. I know their quick acceleration gives them a very Sharp!, snappy recoil, which for me is uncomfortable. They will also have a higher velocity which will change their POI on the target. Whereas the slow, steady acceleration of a standard weight bullet hits exactly where I want and can be shot by the hundreds.

I could shoot 95 and 100gr bullets in my 9mm, but I never have. I dislike shooting 115gr bullets, why would I want to pile-on the pain ? In the same way, I already occasionally shoot 125gr in my 38Spcl. But if I'm going to shoot with friends and want to enjoy my outing I shoot 148gr DEWC or 158gr.

You asked for our opinion. You're getting feedback from experienced 38 shooters. And yet you seem to be arguing. I don't get it.