I would like to ask the members here for a suggestion of a mold for heavier than standard weight bullets for the 38 special. I have followed with interest the topics on the 38 S&W/38 Colt New Police. I do not own a revolver in that caliber but have several and mostly Colt in 38 Special. As a summer project I would like to try heavier bullets, 170 to 200 grains in the 38 special. I prefer Accurate Molds or NOE and I am looking for one with the best chance of success.
Keith DVM
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Accurate 36-193D was very good in my 357 rifle in 38 special brass.
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I like the NOE 360-180-FN. If using any heavier than normal CBs (175-200) in Colt revolvers, take caution. Depending on the model, they are not as durable as S&Ws when firing +P loads or a steady diet of heavy bullets at anything other than light - medium loads.
David Reiss - NRA Life Member & PSC Range Member Retired Police Firearms Instructor/Armorer
-Services: Wars Fought, Uprisings Quelled, Bars Emptied, Revolutions Started, Tigers Tamed, Assassinations Plotted, Women Seduced, Governments Run, Gun Appraisals, Lost Treasure Found.
- Also deal in: Land, Banjos, Nails, Firearms, Manure, Fly Swatters, Used Cars, Whisky, Racing Forms, Rare Antiquities, Lead, Used Keyboard Keys, Good Dogs, Pith Helmets & Zulu Headdresses. .
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RCBS 38-180-SIL This has a longer nose that semi-wadcutters that requires the bullet to seat deeper in the case. The longer nose will require careful loading, start low and work up due to decreased case capacity and higher pressures. loading. It is a gas-check mold.
I've shot it in a .357 T/C barrel in .357 Magnum a long time ago (at least three decades) and do not have access to the data. I recall it shot well to 100 yards as I was looking for a silhouette load and to carry in the Mojave Desert.
Farm boy from Illinois, living in the magical Pacific Northwest
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In .38 Special brass http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=36-190T-D.png works well for me, also in the .38 S&W.
73 de KE4SKY In Home Mix We Trust From the Home of Ed's Red in "Almost Heaven" West Virginia
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Keith, I recommend the one from Accurate with the longest bearing area for the bullet length. Size this bullet for ink verified sliding contact on chambering and you will have the best stability for a good start. Any less contact subtracts accuracy potential and this bullet has the longest contact area:
http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=36-210C-D.png
A simple tumble lube will be fine for this bullet
.
Gary
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I'll agree with David in the heavy bullet class, the NOE 360-180-FN. I have loaded the NOE 360-200-FN in 38spl brass but with it's C.O.L. it will have to be fired from a 357 revolver or rifle. My 35 Blackout (not an official name) is the NOE 200 over 4 or 4.5gr. Unique fired from a 357 Handi rifle. Gp
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wimilkman
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pat i.
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Tom Acheson
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Aaron
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BRatigan
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MarkinEllensburg
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Ed Harris
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mashburn
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porthos
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MP1886
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