38 Special with 158 grain SWC Loads for DR

Per topic's title, I'm soliciting suggestion on loads for DR and recommendations for projectiles.
I intend to use coated bullets, but open for suggestions.  Nowadays there are couple of options per my research:

1. regular grooved semi-wadcutter with beveled base.  Example - bullets by Brazos Precision, - https://www.brazosprecision.com/38-158gr-SWCBevel-BaseGroove-664ct-00632bullet_p_14.html

2. grooveless with beveled base. Example - ACME Bullets, - http://www.acmebullet.com/38-158-SWC-NLG

3. grooveless with plain base (or as it looks on pictures, I'm yet to confirm this).  Example - Missouri Bullets - https://missouribullet.com/details.php?prodId=415&category=20&secondary=9

4. regular grooved with plain base.  I have not found manufacturer for such yet, however looks as SAECO #382 mold allows for casting exactly that - https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/72937

As with all individually cast projectiles, alloy varies.  So what is allowed deviation from the 158 grain weight? Any opinions on what is more accurate beveled base versus plain base for 38 Special.

Thank you,
AP

I get incredible accuracy from Brazos 158 RN with 3.5 Bullseye.

David

David R wrote:I get incredible accuracy from Brazos  158 RN with 3.5 Bullseye.

David

That’s a pretty warm load. I’ve been using 3.0 BE with cast bullets from a friend.
Jon

I prefer Magnus swaged 158 SWC.  The softer lead of a swaged bullet tends to obturate better, contributing to better accuracy.  My K38 likes it over 3.5 Titegroup and 4.3 Unique. 
Finding a good 50 yard DR load is difficult, so you have your work cut out for you.

Jon Eulette wrote:

David R wrote:I get incredible accuracy from Brazos  158 RN with 3.5 Bullseye.

David

That’s a pretty warm load. I’ve been using 3.0 BE with cast bullets from a friend.
Jon

3.0 grains of BE and the Lyman 358311 seem to be the sweet spot for my M-14.  That load seems good with just about any 158 grain RN out of the M-14's I've seen, accurate and soft shooting too.

Virgil

25 yd load - 158g Zero bullet over 2.9g Titegroup - just about holds the x ring from sandbags
50 yd load - Magtech factory because life is too short :-)

No sight change needed from long line to short line

That got me my badge

I will try 3.0.  I was just trying some different bullets.  Coated BNWC,  DEWC  125 RF  and the trusty  swaged HBWC.   The 158 Coated RN really shocked me. It shot almost as good as the HBWC @ 25 yards.  This is in a 4" K 38 with a dot sight.

David

4”?
Special run?

15-3. 38 sp.

David

K38 confused me
K15 I understand!

straybrit wrote:
50 yd load - Magtech factory because life is too short :-)

Please clarify which Magtech load you referred to - Lead-RN or Lead-SWC? 

1. - https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/10974
2. - https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/10980

Thank you,
AP

I used both at times but I preferred the SWC. I'd hate to claim either was 'better'.

I spent some time trying to develop a reliable 50yd load and decided that it wasn't worth it just for DR.

The round nose. Hands down in most guns

How do you know what’s too much or not enough crimp by the way?

I just compare to a factory round.

Tim:H11 wrote:How do you know what’s too much or not enough crimp by the way?

With my M-14 I crimp to .372 on the front driving band of the Lyman 358311 sized .358 and Remington brass. With 3.0 of BE it doesn't take much crimp because it doesn't recoil much with that load.  I have tried more crimp and also crimping in the crimp groove on the 358311 but it didn't do as well accuracy wise. YMMV

Virgil

Tim:H11 wrote:How do you know what’s too much or not enough crimp by the way?

Load and crimp so the round looks like this.

The round pictured has a different bullet but the crimp area is perfect.

The test is to load a “sixth round in your revolver and then shoot 10 full power loads in the other five cylinders.  If the bullet moves at all you need more crimp.

I used factory Federal 158 roundnose for the long line and Zero swaged 158 SWC with 3.3gr WST for the short line. 1.445 COL taper crimp.

So, is there a different projectile for DR vs police revolver?

SWC vs HBWC?

V

DR is 158gr projectile RN or SWC. As of the current rule book jacketed is now permissible. Not sure on police revolver.

(e) Ammunition- Any safe .38 caliber ammunition using the 158 grain round nose or Semi-Wadcutter bullet only. 

It does NOT exclude jacketed in the  2020 rulebook

https://compete.nra.org/documents/pdf/compete/RuleBooks/Pistol/pistol-book.pdf

I'm searching for a DR round for my SW 14-3.  My big question is do I go with a RN or SWC??  Or is this just a matter of trying both and see what performs best?  I'll probably stick with Zero or Brazos brand.  Thanks for any and all help.

3.1 of WST with a 158 Zero SWC shoots wonderfully for me.

Robuc wrote:I'm searching for a DR round for my SW 14-3.  My big question is do I go with a RN or SWC??  Or is this just a matter of trying both and see what performs best?  I'll probably stick with Zero or Brazos brand.  Thanks for any and all help.

Getting anything to shoot well at 50 yards in .38 Special 158gr is a waste of time in my opinion. At least for me(and I wasted a lot of time trying…). As I posted earlier 158gr RN Federal is tough to beat at 50 yards. At 25 yards its not hard to come up with a load that will clean a target. I use Zero SWC just because they're easier to score. Zero and Brazos are both excellent choices.

I went distinguished withWinchester 158 rn police loads. They were pretty stiff but shot well at 50 yards. Just about every factory load had over 3 gr powder. Winchester had 3.7 of what looked like (WLL) 231( l know they don't use cannister grade powder) Velocity was 738 fps. Remington velocity was 792 with 3.5 of WLL bullseye, and Federal had 3.3 gr WLL bullseye, velocity unknown.