38 SPL bullet for CMP competition?

I am working on loads for a pre-war Colt Officers' Model heavy barrel. I must use a 158 grain RN or SWC.   I have tried two so far, the cast Zero SWC with the bevel base and a swaged 3-D SWC.   Sof far 4.00 grains of 231 is working best.  In my control gun, an 8" S/W M14, the 3-Ds group in a 1" cluster.  The Colt is more like 2 1/2" at the same 25 yards.  

What is a good bet to buy?  Plastic coated?  

How about getting a gang mold from Accurate Molds?  I have been casting for over 50 years and do not mind.   I was thinking the 36-155K looks promising.  https://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=36-155K

It has been my experience that bevel base bullets are not as accurate as flat base.  Thoughts? 

Any opinions are appreciated. 

Thanks
Scot

I could be wrong but I think 158gr bullet is a requirement for only the NRA DR matches, for CMP you can use pretty much anything. I like Brazos coated bullets, they have a selection of 38 bullets of different weights.

For NRA rules, 158gr Brazos RN.
Fo CMP rules 148gr hbwc. zero, speer, or hornady work well for me.

4.4.  Pistol Ammunition.  The requirement to use “metal-jacketed or metal-plated bullets” in Service Pistol Matches was deleted.  “Any safe ammunition” may now be used in any CMP pistol event.

That is huge!  2023 rules update.  

So imagine a jacketed bullet is the way to go? Maybe a HBWC blooper load?

I have a lot of 130 gr LRN, I wish they shot more accurately.

Scota4570 wrote:4.4.  Pistol Ammunition.  The requirement to use “metal-jacketed or metal-plated bullets” in Service Pistol Matches was deleted.  “Any safe ammunition” may now be used in any CMP pistol event.

That is huge!  2023 rules update.  

So imagine a jacketed bullet is the way to go? Maybe a HBWC blooper load?

I have a lot of 130 gr LRN, I wish they shot more accurately.

I shot jacketed in some CMP service revolver matches, they worked well. Downside is cost is higher. I had similar performance with lead and jacketed. 

Depending what matches you tend to shoot (CMP or NRA if chasing points) is what would dictate the direction of load development. I developed a good load with the Brazos 158 for DR matches before the CMP revolver match. I also have some HBWC on hand so I shoot those too.

Most of what I've read recently regarding 38 is that a 158 RN will whip the pants off a SWC. Which kinda sucks ... based on my current inventory ...

Not that it really matters, I shoot pistol EIC matches for no other reason to make noise and pad the points.

Are any of the Lee molds worth experimenting with?  

They have 6-cavity molds in 158 gr RN and 148 wad cutters.  You can get the tumble lube or regular grease grooves. 

   358-158-1R
TL358-158-2R
   358-148-WC
TL358-148-WC

 I do not use luber sizers any more.  I tumble lube and shoot as cast or, if needed use a push through size die.  My cast bullets are much higher quality than commercial cast.

Well, I was just at the CMP Western Fall Classic and I shot the Revolver EIC.  I used 148 Wadcutters.  It’s any safe ammo.

To cloud the waters; I think Bianchi cup is under the cmp now, that has a moderate to low power factor requirement, but probably hotter than hbwc. Occasionally they have stages that call for reloads where a round nose would be a near necessity.

Merick wrote:To cloud the waters; I think Bianchi cup is under the cmp now, that has a moderate to low power factor requirement, but probably hotter than hbwc. Occasionally they have stages that call for reloads where a round nose would be a near necessity.

I'm pretty sure the CMP version of Bianchi Cup/NRA AP rules dictates a 120,000 PF still. Bullet weight X velocity must equal or exceed 120,000 . For a 148 gr bullet that's over 810 fps. For NRA AP 1,000 fps is a common bar without lead compensation of some type, since that equals 9" of lead on the mover at 25 yds, which is at target edge at 25 yds. Anything slower has one holding in air ahead of the target at 25 yds yards.

Holding on air for movers shouldnt be a big problem, I already hit air most if the time.