Bullet weight for fast twist .38 Spl rifle

[COLT45SA]

I have a single-shot rifle in .38 Special, What is the heaviest cast bullet available~? Would you but coated bullets if you could find them in this weight~?

 

[DocDoc]

Cast Boolets will have guys with the information you need.

 

[GLShooter]

Lots of 180/190's are shot in the Special and no coating is needed.

 

[fkimble@charter.net]

What is your twist rate?

Frank

 

[COLT45SA]

What is your twist rate?

Frank

1:10

 

[GLShooter]

being.

That'll handle anything you can stuff in it.

 

[fkimble@charter.net]

Opening multiple threads for basically the same question if frowned upon. Maybe a moderator can merge them together for you.

Frank

 

[COLT45SA]

Opening multiple threads for basically the same question if frowned upon. Maybe a moderator can merge them together for you.

Frank

I put it here because after posting in "reloading" I was told it was in the wrong place and should be put in "buying ans selling".
Have I committed a cardinal sin~?????

 

[dellet]

I put it here because after posting in "reloading" I was told it was in the wrong place and should be put in "buying ans selling".
Have I committed a cardinal sin~?????

No, but it does get confusing and harder for people to help. Not too mention there seems to be some confusion over the chambering.

This is unfortunately going to some trial and error until you know how long you can seat a bullet in the chamber. The H&R Handi Rifle has a reputation for being able to seat bullets to 357 Maximum length, and with a single shot you can get away with very little bullet in the case. That made 250 grain bullets easy to use.

If your chamber is actually 38 special, then you may be limited to 180 grains depend on bullet shape and how much case capacity you have left for powder, and how high the pressure gets due to diminished capacity. Your 22,000 psi limit is very high for a 38, low for a 357.

It probably fair to say that most people with a 1/10 357 barrel would be chasing velocity. It is/was a reasonably popular single shot pistol configuration. Those folks chased velocity and did not really concern themselves with pressure since most actions are rated well over 50,000 psi.

It’s pretty clear people want to help, but difficult and frustrating when there are so many threads with conflicting information about what you are trying to do. Not being 100% sure of the chambering in an antique rifle with a known weak action, is a real good way to have someone give you a load that will have catastrophic results. That would be another reason people are hesitant to share all but the most basic suggestions.

I hope that helps some. Without knowing exactly what your chamber is, and what can be loaded into it, it’s tough to know how to help.

I would probably start with 200-210 grain cast and see how the cartridge can be loaded in the chamber, then look for a powder using Quickload or Gordon’s reloading tool to find a load around 1000 fps that meets your pressure needs.

At Tripp over to ASSRA and finding someone who shoots a 38 long or extra long in a Ballard would be time well spent.

.38 Special in a rifle

I'd like to know what you've found to be the best cast bullet to shoot in a .38/.357 single shot rifle. How much does barrel twist rate have on the weight of the bullet and it's accuracy~? Rifle has a 26" barrel and the bore has a 1:10" twist rate.

forum.accurateshooter.com

Reloading .38/.357 magnum for rifle

Do any of you reload .38/.357 Magnum for a rifle? What is the heaviest bullet you use and what powder do you use behind it? What is the twist rate of your barrel

forum.accurateshooter.com

Best .38/.357 rifle bullet

I'd like to know what you've found to be the best cast bullet to shoot in a .38/.357 single shot rifle. How much does barrel twist rate have on the weight of the bullet and it's accuracy~?

forum.accurateshooter.com

Loads for .38 Spl in a v-e-r-y long barrel

I have a long barreled firearm (single shot) and want to know what powder(s) you have found to be most accurate with a 158 gr. lead bullet~! Really, really interested in your findings~!! Thanks~!

forum.accurateshooter.com

Bullet recommendations

I have an early 26" barreled 1885 Winchester that has has the barrel relined to .38 Spl with a 1:10 twist. I'm looking for the most accurate bullet I can find and am looking for recommended bullets both in lead and jacketed. Thanks for any responses~!

forum.accurateshooter.com

Heavy .38 caliber rifle bullets

I'd like to buy some coated heavy cast bullets for a rifle in .38/.357 caliber, preferably over 200 gr. I'll buy as few as 50 if you've got them. I have an 1885 Winchester with a relined barrel, and I'd like to find a bullet that it likes.

forum.accurateshooter.com

.357 Magnum SS rifle

While I can't tell you what will shoot best in that one-of-a-kind rifle, most of the research I have done seems to focus in on 2400 and Bullseye powder as the best alternatives. My Rossi R92 definitely prefers 125 grain bullets but it has a 1:30 twist. Are you going to shoot targets or hunt with...

forum.accurateshooter.com

.38 cal for 1:10 twist barrel

Getting ready to load some cartridges for my 1885 Winchester (single shot) relined with a rather fast 1:10 twist. What weight bullet should I begin with to get some semblance of accuracy~?

forum.accurateshooter.com

Bullet weight

Getting ready to start reloading for my single-shot rifle and need help picking a bullet. The rifle has had the barrel relined to .38 Special and has a rather fast twist ( 1:10 ). I'm looking on GB and have only found one bullet over 158gr. I'm thinking that with this fast twist I need a...

forum.accurateshooter.com

 

[DGP4]

I shoot 180 grain hard cast bullets from rim rock bullets. Not sure why you would want to load anything heavier in a 38 spl. Perhaps you can elucidate?

 

[COLT45SA]

No, but it does get confusing and harder for people to help. Not too mention there seems to be some confusion over the chambering.

This is unfortunately going to some trial and error until you know how long you can seat a bullet in the chamber. The H&R Handi Rifle has a reputation for being able to seat bullets to 357 Maximum length, and with a single shot you can get away with very little bullet in the case. That made 250 grain bullets easy to use.

If your chamber is actually 38 special, then you may be limited to 180 grains depend on bullet shape and how much case capacity you have left for powder, and how high the pressure gets due to diminished capacity. Your 22,000 psi limit is very high for a 38, low for a 357.

It probably fair to say that most people with a 1/10 357 barrel would be chasing velocity. It is/was a reasonably popular single shot pistol configuration. Those folks chased velocity and did not really concern themselves with pressure since most actions are rated well over 50,000 psi.

It’s pretty clear people want to help, but difficult and frustrating when there are so many threads with conflicting information about what you are trying to do. Not being 100% sure of the chambering in an antique rifle with a known weak action, is a real good way to have someone give you a load that will have catastrophic results. That would be another reason people are hesitant to share all but the most basic suggestions.

I hope that helps some. Without knowing exactly what your chamber is, and what can be loaded into it, it’s tough to know how to help.

I would probably start with 200-210 grain cast and see how the cartridge can be loaded in the chamber, then look for a powder using Quickload or Gordon’s reloading tool to find a load around 1000 fps that meets your pressure needs.

At Tripp over to ASSRA and finding someone who shoots a 38 long or extra long in a Ballard would be time well spent.

.38 Special in a rifle

I'd like to know what you've found to be the best cast bullet to shoot in a .38/.357 single shot rifle. How much does barrel twist rate have on the weight of the bullet and it's accuracy~? Rifle has a 26" barrel and the bore has a 1:10" twist rate.

forum.accurateshooter.com

Reloading .38/.357 magnum for rifle

Do any of you reload .38/.357 Magnum for a rifle? What is the heaviest bullet you use and what powder do you use behind it? What is the twist rate of your barrel

forum.accurateshooter.com

Best .38/.357 rifle bullet

I'd like to know what you've found to be the best cast bullet to shoot in a .38/.357 single shot rifle. How much does barrel twist rate have on the weight of the bullet and it's accuracy~?

forum.accurateshooter.com

Loads for .38 Spl in a v-e-r-y long barrel

I have a long barreled firearm (single shot) and want to know what powder(s) you have found to be most accurate with a 158 gr. lead bullet~! Really, really interested in your findings~!! Thanks~!

forum.accurateshooter.com

Bullet recommendations

I have an early 26" barreled 1885 Winchester that has has the barrel relined to .38 Spl with a 1:10 twist. I'm looking for the most accurate bullet I can find and am looking for recommended bullets both in lead and jacketed. Thanks for any responses~!

forum.accurateshooter.com

Heavy .38 caliber rifle bullets

I'd like to buy some coated heavy cast bullets for a rifle in .38/.357 caliber, preferably over 200 gr. I'll buy as few as 50 if you've got them. I have an 1885 Winchester with a relined barrel, and I'd like to find a bullet that it likes.

forum.accurateshooter.com

.357 Magnum SS rifle

While I can't tell you what will shoot best in that one-of-a-kind rifle, most of the research I have done seems to focus in on 2400 and Bullseye powder as the best alternatives. My Rossi R92 definitely prefers 125 grain bullets but it has a 1:30 twist. Are you going to shoot targets or hunt with...

forum.accurateshooter.com

.38 cal for 1:10 twist barrel

Getting ready to load some cartridges for my 1885 Winchester (single shot) relined with a rather fast 1:10 twist. What weight bullet should I begin with to get some semblance of accuracy~?

forum.accurateshooter.com

Bullet weight

Getting ready to start reloading for my single-shot rifle and need help picking a bullet. The rifle has had the barrel relined to .38 Special and has a rather fast twist ( 1:10 ). I'm looking on GB and have only found one bullet over 158gr. I'm thinking that with this fast twist I need a...

forum.accurateshooter.com

Thanks for your response. Lots to think about.
I don't know the depth of my chamber, but wouldn't a heavier bullet seated more deeply onto cartridge make up the difference if I do have a short chamber? The reason I want a heavier bullet is the twist rate of the barrel. I've learned from reading threads in other forums that a fast twist does better with heavier loads. For instance, my .223 has a 1:12 twist rate and won't shoot accurately with projectiles weighing over 55 grains. Took lots of reading and lots of questions to find that out and put me successfully into lighter 50gt to 53gr bullets. I now have an accurate rifle. Shooting the heavies takes a 1:7 to a 1:9 twist. When I apply that logic to my .38 Special barreled 1885 rifle I deduced the need for a heavy slug.
I don't cast my own bullets, don't want to buy swaging equipment, an don't want to buy 100's of bullets to see if one or two might work. I thought that if I asked enough questions I might get an answer or two that would narrow my search.
Your response has helped me greatly, and I appreciate you a lot. Thanks~!
How about coated vs uncoated lead bullets?

 

[dellet]

Bullet choice is simply that, a choice. Plus and minus to everything.
Example a powder coated or plated cast bullet eases the lube issue, and also will give the the heaviest bullet for length. A copper solid will weigh around 80% less than the same exact shaped bullet made of cast lead. Jacketed will be in between bit closer to cast weight. A lead bullet without lube grooves would be the heaviest bullet given same shape available.

Where this applies to you specifically, will seated depth limited by your chamber. You can put more bullet in the case, but that will raise pressure. You can probably get a 200-220 grain bullet safely to 1300-1500 fps and stay under 22,000 psi, but finding some else who has done it might be harder to find.

If you look at spin rates, there is a controversial number of 144,000 rpm for a max with cast bullets. With a 1/10 twist, 2000 fps is exactly that. So in theory you won’t be over spinning too many bullets.
Twist/12 X velocity X 60 = bullet rpm.

Oddly enough Sierra data is mostly 1/10 for 357 magnum.

What you’re doing isn’t all that special, just the action is more
Limiting to pressure.

If you look at Hodgdon data for 38 Special +P loads, they have about a half dozen for a 230 grain bullet. Max pressure is roughly 20,000 psi. As well as many other bullet weights under 200 grains. Those might be a good place to start.
For what it’s worth, those are all Accurate powder loads, Hodgdon never developed +P loads.

Hope that gives you a few more ideas.

 

[COLT45SA]

Bullet choice is simply that, a choice. Plus and minus to everything.
Example a powder coated or plated cast bullet eases the lube issue, and also will give the the heaviest bullet for length. A copper solid will weigh around 80% less than the same exact shaped bullet made of cast lead. Jacketed will be in between bit closer to cast weight. A lead bullet without lube grooves would be the heaviest bullet given same shape available.

Where this applies to you specifically, will seated depth limited by your chamber. You can put more bullet in the case, but that will raise pressure. You can probably get a 200-220 grain bullet safely to 1300-1500 fps and stay under 22,000 psi, but finding some else who has done it might be harder to find.

If you look at spin rates, there is a controversial number of 144,000 rpm for a max with cast bullets. With a 1/10 twist, 2000 fps is exactly that. So in theory you won’t be over spinning too many bullets.
Twist/12 X velocity X 60 = bullet rpm.

Oddly enough Sierra data is mostly 1/10 for 357 magnum.

What you’re doing isn’t all that special, just the action is more
Limiting to pressure.

If you look at Hodgdon data for 38 Special +P loads, they have about a half dozen for a 230 grain bullet. Max pressure is roughly 20,000 psi. As well as many other bullet weights under 200 grains. Those might be a good place to start.
For what it’s worth, those are all Accurate powder loads, Hodgdon never developed +P loads.

Hope that gives you a few more ideas.

It does, and I thank you~!

 

[divingin]

I have a single-shot rifle in .38 Special, What is the heaviest cast bullet available~? Would you but coated bullets if you could find them in this weight~?

Bear Creek Bullets has a 230 WC. They use a tumbled-on moly coating.

I shoot a lot of their 32 and 38 HBWC's, and 45 SWC's.

 

[COLT45SA]

Bear Creek Bullets has a 230 WC. They use a tumbled-on moly coating.

I shoot a lot of their 32 and 38 HBWC's, and 45 SWC's.

Thank you~!!

 

[COLT45SA]

Opening multiple threads for basically the same question if frowned upon. Maybe a moderator can merge them together for you.

Frank

Yes, I would like to see my questions merged as I think of more questions. I'm seeking the correct load for my relined barrel (1:10 twist) on an original 1885 Winchester originally built in 1892. I've read that I should stay with a load that has a max pressure of 16,000 psi. I'm looking for a load that is both accurate and safe. I have no particular bullet preference either lead or jacketed bullets as long as they meet the goals of accuracy and safety.

 

[3Ackleys]

So you haven't shot this rifle in the 15 months, since you first posted this?

 

[COLT45SA]

So you haven't shot this rifle in the 15 months, since you first posted this?

Not yet. I've been slowly, artfully, and carefully refinishing the stocks. The stock refinishing will be the last modification as I have no plan for refinishing the metal.