What bullet maker do you like?

[mike6161]

What bullet maker do you like the best for .38 cal jacketed bullets? I am going to load some 357 mag and need some help picking the bullet. I hear that Speer is good but What about the other makers out there like
Sierra, Winchester, hornaday, should I just go with Speer or some other company?

Thanks for listening to a new reloader

 

[Ben Shepherd]

Winchester, speer, or hornady depending on application. Typed it all out for you over yonder at TFL.

 

[tlen]

Whatever is cheapest; buy in bulk to keep costs down.

 

[rcmodel]

Speer Gold-Dot, Hornady XTP, and Remington Golden-Saber are as good as it gets performance-wise.

I can get Golden-Sabers in bulk at Cabala's down the road for about half what Gold-Dots & XTP's cost, so I have been shooting more of them lately.

But most of my shooting is done with cast lead bullets I make in the basement out of free wheel-weights!

rcmodel

 

[Jimfern]

lead cast

I just started using lead cast bullets this year. I found a few places that had them very cheap, like .02-.05 a piece for .355, .358, .428 and .451 sized bullets, and have been very pleased so far. I just recieved 150 145gr SWC and 400 148 gr WC for 38 spl from Tombstone Arms, in MO, for $25 shipped.

I'm begining to think that leading isn't as bad an issue as I first assumed it was.

 

[Slamfire]

I'm begining to think that leading isn't as bad an issue as I first assumed it was

It's not. As long as the velocities are reasonable, the lube good, you won't get leading.

And if you do, just use the cheapest JHP's to shoot the stuff out.

And that is my preference, cheap JHP's.

Now if I was hunting Cape Buffalo I might be more particular.

For self defense ammo, I buy premium factory.

 

[kostner]

If shooting indoors try Rainier or Montana Gold. For outdoor shooting lead is just fine. Try casting you might find you like it and will lower your costs of shooting. When using lead try to keep you fps below 1100 fps. Won't lead your barrel as much. Gas checks have become expensive.

 

[cbm1948]

Whatever is cheapest; buy in bulk to keep costs down.

I concur unless you are shooting for a specific purpose, hunting, self defense. I do not like to load for my own SD rounds, or anyone else s, too much to go wrong in a critical moment. If you miss that buck, squirrel, rabbit etc you get to go home and cuss about it. Not so with a SD round.

 

[Blind Bat]

Speer Gold-Dot, Hornady XTP, and Remington Golden-Saber are as good as it gets performance-wise.

Sorry for the n00b question. Are hollow points the most accurate bullet design? What do the professional bullseye shooters use?

 

[lgbloader]

357 MAG - I like to shoot 125 gr Hornady XTP's backed with H110. B O O M ! ! !

 

[clarence2005w]

Its hard to beat hard cast bullets for accuracy and cost. I just found a company called dardas cast bullets who make some very accurate and reasonably priced bullets. I like to load soft shooting target loads and I can get 1 inch groups at 50' from a glock with an aftermarket barrel (if I have my reading glasses on).

dardascastbullets.webs.com

 

[Ky Larry]

A friend of a friend of a friend bought out a commercial reloader last year. Then the buyer had a heart attack so he decided to retire. We've been buying Rem 125 gr JHP's for $4.00 per hundred. So far I've reloaded 1000 and have another 3000 under the bench so looks like Rem will be my favorite .38 JHP's for a while.

 

[DWARREN123]

Rainier plated and Magnus jacketed
I get Rainier from MidwayUSA and Magnus from MidSouth Shooters Supply.

 

[XD-40 Shooter]

Remington SJHP's are good bullets and are close to Ranier cost wise.

 

[Pumpkinheaver]

I like XTPs from Hornady for hunting. Whatever is cheapest for everything else.

 

[scrat]

Scott bullets

oh wait thats me

yep.

i like my own bullets

 

[NotSoFast]

When they have the caliber bullets I am loading for I buy from Montana Gold. Right now they are showing $113/1000 for .357 CMJ.

 

[ziggy222]

hornady xtp 125gr are very hard to beet in a 357.i use w296

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Like the others have said, I shoot whatever I can get cheap unless it's for a hunting round. For hunting rounds I like Hornady XTP bullets especially for my 1894C Carbine. I also like 180gr Hard Cast bullets from Cast Performance.

 

[ranger335v]

"What about the other makers out there like Sierra, Winchester, hornaday, should I just go with Speer or some other company?"

They all make good products or they would not have survived in the market.

 

[The Bushmaster]

I use Remington, Winchester, Hornady, Sierra, Speer and Rainier. Or any other bullet manufacturer that works in my fireams...Not particular who makes it as long as it works...

 

[FlyinBryan]

ive used winchester, hornady, nosler, and speer for rifle. for pistol hornady, winchester, and some cast bullets for my .45 kimber.

 

[rcmodel]

Sorry for the n00b question. Are hollow points the most accurate bullet design? What do the professional bullseye shooters use?

No, not necessarly more accurate.

However the best bullets from the bullet makers are often JHP designs like the Gold-Dot & XTP.
The Hornady XTP for instance will almost always shoot very accurately in any gun.

Bullseye Match shooters often use jacketed or lead SWC for clean holes in targets that make scoring easier. Not necessarly because they are any more accurate then other bullet designs.

rcmodel

 

[buck460XVR]

I use a lot of Hornady because they are the most readily available for me and generally the cheapest. I buy Remmy JSP's/JHP's in bulk when I can and also shoot GD's for SD. They all shoot well and with no difference in accuracy over the same powder outta my 686. For hunting I prefer JSP's/XTPFP's and for targets/bowling pins, JHP's.

 

[LotI]

I buy a lot of Hornady because I have their reloading manual and I can stick to their C.O.L. I also have the Speer manual but they seem to cost more and my local dealer doesn't stock them. I have been know to buy Remington when the deals are good.

I buy Hornady locally over the counter for less than my dealer price at MidwayUSA.