Swaged lead; cast lead: how to choose for a .38spl plinker

[Thirties]

When it comes to lead bullets, I have loaded and shot successfully only swaged lead bullets: 148g HBWC, and 158g SWC. [I've also done plated and jacketed, but that is not my topic here.]

I am using my ammo for informal shooting (plinking). I shoot it in 4" and 2" barreled revolvers.

I've got a few boxes of cast 148g DEWC, and some 158g cast SWC, but not yet loaded any.

Do the cast bullets require any extra powder compared with the swaged lead equivalents? Loading books do not leave me with a clear answer to this question. Also, is there a difference between lead bullets marked "Cast" and those marked "Hard Cast"?

I assume Hard Cast bullets stand up better to higher velocities, and leave less lead in the barrel. Am I right? And are swaged lead bullets intended for slower velocities? Where does that leave those "cast but not hard cast" bullets?

This is a beginner's question to be sure, but I have been loading ammo for a couple of years now. I just never got into the cast stuff yet.

 

[Steve C]

I've had leading with hard cast at .38 spl velocities that I don't get with a swaged bullet. With cast the leading is at the back end of the barrel and forcing cone that I understand is caused by the bullet not sealing and gasses blowing by the base melting the lead from the bullet sides. These same hard cast bullets shoot with little leading from a .357 mag at 1,200 fps plus.

The best thing would be to try a box and see how the hard cast works in your guns before going into large scale production. I have also recently found that an application of Lee's Liquig Alox to the cast bullets on top of their hard lube effectively eliminates all leading.

 

[Hutch]

IMHO, cast bullets don't REQUIRE more powder, but they PERMIT more powder, and thus velocity, before leading occurs. If you are shooting really mild loads, swaged will serve fine, and may produce better results as a result of better obturation (bullet being expanded to seal the throats of the chambers.

I've never seen anyone marketing cast bullets that wasn't really proud of how "hard cast" they were. That by way of saying I don't think anyone markets "soft cast" bullets for general use. You may find some muzzle loading projos or something similar, but I'd bet all those are swaged.