lead for 38 smith and wesson

If you know anyone who casts, you could ask them what their .358" moulds drop bullets at before sizing. Many molds drop a bullet @ 359 - 361". Another other option is to shoot jacketed .357" bullets. A common problem is that commercial lead ammo is both too small and too hard for these old guns, resulting in leading.

http://www.reloadammo.com/38sw.htm

There was a group buy on castboolits.com for a proper mould for the old .380-200 military load that was designed for the 38 S&W. I don't know if it is still open, but I was tempted to order one of the moulds, so I could cast bullets for folks like you. I don't own a S&W 38, although I had a 38 Enfield Tanker years ago. I did not cast then and had the same problem as you do now.

Have you considered casting? I am always trying to pull people into the hobby, heh heh,
 
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I checked the group buy on Castbullets and it is now closed. However, I see that one of the people that placed a order is from Stony Plain AB. If you don't have any success with any of my other suggestions, I can ask the guy if he is willing to cast some bullets for you.
He may have to wait a while until the mold comes in, though.
 
As mentioned above, the group buy at CastBoolits closed as of mid Sep I believe. That was for the heavy 200g original bullet, one which not a lot of folks like to shoot. Often we see lighter bullets as the preferred. Western Bullets in MT casts .360's but shipping may be a killer.
dB
 
Kohen: I was in on the first group buy of the .38/200 Lee mold and the honcho that was running the show incorrectly positioned the crimp groove. It works fine in the colt or S&W revolvers but if you crimp in the groove for the Enfield/Webley revolvers then the over all length is to long.

I still use the mold as is because honestly you don't need a crimp groove for the low pressure that the 38 S&W runs at anyway. Just seat to the correct depth with a slight crimp and they run just fine.

It drops from the mold at .363 with just normal WW's and I know I have a .360 lyman die that I had made up and I also think I have a .361 also.

I think I have some made up and will look in the garage tomorrow morning. I moved a couple of months ago and things kind of got spread around so hopefully I find them. If not I know where the mold is.

The wife visits Lloydminster about every other week to see the step son so we can probably work something out.

Are you set up at all for casting?
 
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