I have decided to start shooting a revolver for IDPA matches. It is a 357 so I could shoot 38/357. I will be reloading and have brass for both and will be using cast bullets. What are you shooting 38 or 357? What are the advantages or disadvantages of both. Other than cost as I won't be shooting factory loads. I have been told that 357 are harder to eject, but haven't had that problem yet. As far as 38 the only thing I've heard is that over time you will get a burn ring in the cylinder from continuously shooting 38. Thanks for your input.
Calling all 38/357 revolver shooters
- Thread starter maliboy67
- Start date
.39spl cases are easier and faster to reload using speedloaders. Most revolver shooters go with the .38spl cases for that reason.
The ring you refer to can easily be removed by using copper Chor Boy pad strands wrapped around a cleaning brush. The ring is not permanent.
2.8 gr of Clays got me to 110 PF using 165 gr Lean RN boolits out of a RCBS mold
3.2 gr of Clays got me to 110 PF using Berry's Plated 158 gr bullets
3 gr of Clays under the AIM 155 gr RN plated bullet should get you over 105 PF.
Clays I found to be very clean burning in my GP - 100 4.2" Revolver
Shooting IDPA using a revolver changes the game completely. Enjoy.
Take Care
Bob
The ring you refer to can easily be removed by using copper Chor Boy pad strands wrapped around a cleaning brush. The ring is not permanent.
2.8 gr of Clays got me to 110 PF using 165 gr Lean RN boolits out of a RCBS mold
3.2 gr of Clays got me to 110 PF using Berry's Plated 158 gr bullets
3 gr of Clays under the AIM 155 gr RN plated bullet should get you over 105 PF.
Clays I found to be very clean burning in my GP - 100 4.2" Revolver
Shooting IDPA using a revolver changes the game completely. Enjoy.
Take Care
Bob
Years ago, when I shot IPSC I got bored with the attitude displayed by some of the shooters who were using the semi auto, so I decided to spend a season with a smaller group of shooters who used only revolvers. I had a hoot, probably the best season in the 10 years that I shot IPSC. I found that very few revolver shooters that have the attitude that they are gawds gift to the shooting world.
I used a 4" S&W M66 with .38 Special brass, a 160 grain LRN bullets with 4.4 grains of W231. I also purchased a Flex Hone in .38/357 from Brownells and polished the cylinder chambers if and when required. I highly recommend competing with a revolver, you'll shoot with a great bunch of guys who's main idea is to have fun, rather than win at any cost.
I used a 4" S&W M66 with .38 Special brass, a 160 grain LRN bullets with 4.4 grains of W231. I also purchased a Flex Hone in .38/357 from Brownells and polished the cylinder chambers if and when required. I highly recommend competing with a revolver, you'll shoot with a great bunch of guys who's main idea is to have fun, rather than win at any cost.
Well put.
If you want a much cleaner load try Clays. My GP-100 Stainless looked like a poorly blued gun after a match using 231. Are you still shooting IPSC or have you gone over to the dark side and now shooting IDPA?
Take Care
Bob
There is no question about the fun factor. I have had a GP100 4.2 for a couple of weeks and really like it. Before that I used a friends S&W 686, that is what got me hooked. He shoots a model 65 and does very well with it. He suggested I use 38 as well. I have a pile of 357 130gr lead loaded light that I will use up but may switch to 38. I look forward to my first shoot with the revolver and not just practice.
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I'd recommend using plated bullets; lead are just so messy. I think it's actually the lube on them that causes most of the mess; black soot and the like. Loaded with about 3 grains of clays gives nice pleasant shooting ammo, but, with the lead bullets it's still pretty dirty. M-Pro 7 works great for clean-up. Plated bullets, though, over the same load of Clays - much much cleaner. Don't even need to tumble the brass before reloading.
Clays is a good choice for clean, light loads. Titegroup is only a good choice for heavier loads; it's kinda dirty at lower pressures. But works well with loads somewhere between 38 spl +P and 357 magnum - only for use in 357 magnum rated guns.
Clays is a good choice for clean, light loads. Titegroup is only a good choice for heavier loads; it's kinda dirty at lower pressures. But works well with loads somewhere between 38 spl +P and 357 magnum - only for use in 357 magnum rated guns.
There's no doubt that cast boolits are certainly dirtier. And I'd say that the taste at the back of my throat when shooting cast indoors on occasion suggests that some of that cloud you see from the muzzle IS lead. As a result I do not shoot cast boolits indoors anymore.
I've only used my own revolver at a couple of our IDPA practice nights. But now that I've got some speed loader pouches I'll be trying out my Model 66 with the 4.25 inch barrel at one of our monthly matches soon. I just need to convince the other two with revolvers and the match gear to come out with them as well so I don't get an automatic win...
I've only used my own revolver at a couple of our IDPA practice nights. But now that I've got some speed loader pouches I'll be trying out my Model 66 with the 4.25 inch barrel at one of our monthly matches soon. I just need to convince the other two with revolvers and the match gear to come out with them as well so I don't get an automatic win...
I shoot cast lead out of a 4.2" gp-100 and 6" sw 14-2. I plan on shooting 38 spl this summer. Mainly because I am cheap and can see how shooting a match with full on 357 loads will just be straight out unpleaseant.
I found once I started using alox lube (dragon Lube a sponsor has excellent directions in a video on his site) for the bullets I cast it was nothing to swab out the revolver in a few minutes and be squeaky clean. The leading comes from poor lube and I dont seem to get much now.
I am using bullseye right now and like it and have used red dot as well. I hear good things about universal.
Revolvers are fun and even some of the bottom feeder enthusiasts have decieded to give them a try this summer.
As for Garand he went cowboy long ago.
I found once I started using alox lube (dragon Lube a sponsor has excellent directions in a video on his site) for the bullets I cast it was nothing to swab out the revolver in a few minutes and be squeaky clean. The leading comes from poor lube and I dont seem to get much now.
I am using bullseye right now and like it and have used red dot as well. I hear good things about universal.
Revolvers are fun and even some of the bottom feeder enthusiasts have decieded to give them a try this summer.
As for Garand he went cowboy long ago.
There's no doubt that cast boolits are certainly dirtier. And I'd say that the taste at the back of my throat when shooting cast indoors on occasion suggests that some of that cloud you see from the muzzle IS lead. As a result I do not shoot cast boolits indoors anymore.
I've only used my own revolver at a couple of our IDPA practice nights. But now that I've got some speed loader pouches I'll be trying out my Model 66 with the 4.25 inch barrel at one of our monthly matches soon. I just need to convince the other two with revolvers and the match gear to come out with them as well so I don't get an automatic win...
Shooting indoors using lead based primer compounds is going to expose you to lead using FMJ or plated bullets. The answer to eliminate lead exposure is to use lead free cartridges.
Winchester offer there Win Clean line. Otherwise you are going to have lead issues. Shooting at an indoor range with proper ventilation is a another solution.
Take Care
Bob
I certainly don't plan to shoot 357 full loads. I have a bunch loaded at just above
38+p velocity. I may decide to switch to a 38 case in the future I will have to see how reloads go under the clock. With the light loaded 357 there is no problem with sore hands or wrists. I have not found any problems with leading. Just a little smoke. I used to reload cast lead for my .40 when I was shooting an autoloader, the only problem I found was in a low light match as the smoke would sometimes cause visibility problems when using a flashlight.
38+p velocity. I may decide to switch to a 38 case in the future I will have to see how reloads go under the clock. With the light loaded 357 there is no problem with sore hands or wrists. I have not found any problems with leading. Just a little smoke. I used to reload cast lead for my .40 when I was shooting an autoloader, the only problem I found was in a low light match as the smoke would sometimes cause visibility problems when using a flashlight.
The advantage in using .38spl cases is they are shorter and faster to reload from speedloaders.
Take Care
Bob
