Penn Bullets 158gr Truncated

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trentcwwilson

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I recently came into a bunch of lead for my 38/357. 500 148 grain wadcutters which shoot wonderfully over 2.7 grains of Bullseye. I'm having issues getting the 158 truncated to shoot well. I've got some 105s from a friend that shoot amazingly. I've tried the classics such as Bullseye, Unique, Bluedot,and Clays, and the newer stuff such as Titegroup, Trail Boss, Clean Shooter D032(great for 357s, lots of umph). Any recommendations for the 158s?
 
TimSr said:
Please expand on this a little bit.
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Sized 358 out of a 66-8 Smith. I've tried every powder charge with every grain within recommended range and they just won't shoot for me. Everything else I shoot, 148 wc and 105 truncated shoot accurately. I just can't get these to shoot. High end of powder charge, low end, middle, every .1 of a grain, nothing works. Maybe time for a new selection of powders?
 
I just can't get these to shoot.
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Again, I don't know what this means. you've listed a lot of powders you've tried, but no other information. If you've tried 7 powders wither every listed charge, then I doubt another powder is going to help.

For anybody to help, you're going to need some specifics, and a definition of "won't shoot". I'm assuming you mean accuracy, but I don't know what you're getting or expecting. In other words, list some loads and groups sizes and at what distance from each. How are you testing and at what distance? Are you using a rest? Are you using a chronograph? Do you know what the hardness of these bullets are? Do the wadcutters that shoot well measure the same 358 diameter? Aside from the 148gr WC, are there other loads or factory ammo that have worked well in the past?
 
All my bullets mic at 358, if not, they get returned for replacements. Testing is 10 yards, off hand, no chrono as speed does not matter(accuracy does), hardness was not listed but they can be pushed to 1600fps, all factory ammo shoots well. Federal 130gr RTP 38 specia, perfecta 158gr 357, Prvi 158gr 38 specials. With the wadcutters over 2.7 gr of bullseye, I'm getting one ragged hole at 25 yds. I don't expect that accuracy out of every round I load, but 3 inch groups at 10 yards isn't acceptable.
 
hardness was not listed but they can be pushed to 1600fps
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Then you have the 'premium' grade, and they are pretty hard (18-22 Brinell?)

See if you can get a sample pack of the regular grade to try...Softer bullets often are the key to accuracy, as they will 'bump up' and fill the grooves in the rifling better upon firing...

Ignore the velocity ratings on Penn's page, and see what happens...

My pet load for those bullets is 5gr Red Dot in a .357 mag case with whatever primer I have at the time...
 
I'm short on 357 cases at the moment. Loaded them all with what was left of my lrn to get rid of them. I'll try that load. And as previously stated, I don't aim for velocity. Accuracy is #1 when I do my reloading. Hell, my 105 truncated loaded with 2.5 grains of clays you can watch take a dive at 25 yards. But at competition distances, it's like a k frame .22 revolver.
 
Then you have the 'premium' grade, and they are pretty hard (18-22 Brinell?)

See if you can get a sample pack of the regular grade to try...Softer bullets often are the key to accuracy, as they will 'bump up' and fill the grooves in the rifling better upon firing...
Click to expand...

That's what I was thinking, but having a heck of a time extracting specific information as to what was tried, and trends in results.

If those bullets are that hard, they will likely respond best to full power magnum loads. Something around 10gr Blue Dot or 7.5gr Unique.

If you are looking for accurate, light, 38 spl level target loads you'll do better with 12BRN or cold swaged bullets, and they will be more forgiving if not a perfect fit.
 
TimSr said:
That's what I was thinking, but having a heck of a time extracting specific information as to what was tried, and trends in results.

If those bullets are that hard, they will likely respond best to full power magnum loads. Something around 10gr Blue Dot or 7.5gr Unique.

If you are looking for accurate, light, 38 spl level target loads you'll do better with 12BRN or cold swaged bullets, and they will be more forgiving if not a perfect fit.
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My 38s are decided. 148gr wadcutters over 2.7 of bullseye and 105 gr truncated over 2.5 of clays. I'm assuming the Bluedot was in 357 cause 10 gr is the max load. I'll try those. The 148s I loaded in the 357 over 9 of Bluedot. Quite accurate.
 
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