Horible accuracy .38 SWC

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  • Neutron

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Nov 20, 2014
    1,538
    severna park
    I bought these 158g SWC at a gun show and have had no luck with any kind of accuracy out of my .357 bolt gun. My other reloads are fine, round nose, flat point, all fine and I can get about 1.5" at 50 yds which is about all I'm good for. These things are all over the place. Aiming at the center of a paper target I'll get one 6-8" high and the next will be 6-8" low or to the right or left. I can barely keep it on paper. No telling where the rounds will hit. This is from a bench rest with scope! I'm using 3.3g of Bullseye. I've never used this type of bullet before so maybe I shouldn't expect much accuracy but these are useless. Any suggestions?
     

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    E.Shell

    Ultimate Member
    Feb 5, 2007
    10,306
    Mid-Merlind
    1) Weight some, they may be poorly cast and contain voids that would cause imbalance and poor precision.
    2) Check diameters, they may be under size for your gun. While you're doing that, measure a few across the diameter in different directions - they may be unsized and out of round.
     

    SavageShooter

    Active Member
    Jan 10, 2014
    644
    Arbutus, MD
    Never used them and never will. I've always gotten good accuracy with all lead or copper jacketed lead also. Revolver and lever action. You gave it a test. Now you know. Thanks for the results. Happy handloading to ya!
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,903
    Socialist State of Maryland
    They may be made of a hard alloy and your light pistol load is not working in a rifle. What rifle are you using? For my rifles, I use powders such as Unique and blue dot and get better results than with the fast powders.
     

    MaxVO2

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    1) Weight some, they may be poorly cast and contain voids that would cause imbalance and poor precision.
    2) Check diameters, they may be under size for your gun. While you're doing that, measure a few across the diameter in different directions - they may be unsized and out of round.

    *****Yes. IME #1 is a biggie. I shoot cowboy action sometimes and we use SWC like in the pic sometimes. Poorly cast leaves voids that might seem acceptable accuracy wise at 5 yards shooting steel but are waaay off at much over 15 yards. We underpower everything to begin with, but the bad casting only makes things worse. I can't imagine shooting at 50 yards with poorly cast bullets.. Almost might as well be shooting out of a gas piped barrel gun without rifling! :lol2:
     

    Neutron

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Nov 20, 2014
    1,538
    severna park
    Just measured and came up with a range of weight from 157.7 to 159.2 for six bullets tested. Diameter was very consistent at .3585. as was the length (forgot measurement but very consistent for all six). I don't think the difference in weight would make much difference. I only tested six so there could be a bigger difference with others. Rifle is a Ruger 77/357.
     
    Last edited:

    Oswaldo87

    Active Member
    Feb 1, 2020
    151
    Frederick County
    My 77/357 didn’t group well with Bullseye and 158gr cast. I was loading 357 not 38. Switched to IMR4227 and W296. Wild improvement. Went from 8” to 1.5” with iron sights.
     

    Neutron

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Nov 20, 2014
    1,538
    severna park
    Have you called the phone number on the bag?

    No haven't tried that. Not sure what they would have to offer in the way of advice. I'd try a different powder but Bullseye is the only pistol powder I have right now and from what I'm hearing powder is a little hard to come by now.
     

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