.38 Special / .357 Loading with Plated Bullets

[ExtremeX]

[ireload]

Flat point - makes a tad cleaner hole than round nose. General use.
Wad cutter - makes really clean holes. More for target application.
Semi-wad cutter - cross breed between wad cutter and a flat point. Perfect for hunting application and defense.
Round nose flat point - popular with cowboy action events. General use.


I would try all of them to see which one your particular gun would like. I use flat point for mine since that is what I have my gun dialed in. I like more velocity so I stick to a lighter weight bullet 125 gr. If you like to stretch your powder then load the 148 gr wad cutter or 158 gr round nose flat point or semi-was cutter.

[M27]

personally I like flat points.

when it comes to plated you have to stay (usualy) under 1200 fps

with a 125gn bullet in 357mag 1400fps is not unreasonable.

I also don't like to under power my 357mag loads (that is what 38 is for), so when it comes to plated in 357 I like to stay with 158gn. That way I still have full power loads but under 1200 fps.

all this said I have shot 125gn plated in a lever action 357 at around 2000fps with no negative effects, try at your own risk

finally, usualy with 357 a tight roll crimp in the cannelure is used. Many plated rounds don't have a cannelure so you must uses a taper crimp to avoid cutting through the plating. A good chamfer can also help avoid cutting through the plating. I use my hornady 9mm crimp die to taper crimp 357 and 38.

[Bill Steele]

I prefer lead to plated in .38 and .357M target loads. For .38spl I load 148Gr WC, for .357M target loads, I like 158gr SWC's.

[ExtremeX]

Just curious, why do you like lead cast over plated Bill?

I have some lead and I plan to try my hand at casting, but I figure I pick up some plated bullets until I get a chance to get that off the ground.

[Bill Steele]

Just curious, why do you like lead cast over plated Bill?

I have some lead and I plan to try my hand at casting, but I figure I pick up some plated bullets until I get a chance to get that off the ground.

It really is a personal preference thing. I have had issues with plated bullets and consistency in the past. The guy I buy my lead bullets from does a superb job at consistency and his prices are less than most plated.

The good news with plated is any issues of leading are usually eliminated.

[J-cat]

Standard dies expand and flare the case mouth. I recommend not expanding the case. Plated bullets are often undersized and you need all the case tension you can get. I use a Lee universal expander die that only flares the case mouth. It does not expand the case at all. It's $15. Get one.

I also recommend not crimping into the fake cannelure. Instead, seat the bullet deeper and crimp over the shoulder of the bullet. Reduce your load accordingly. Why? Depending on your case tension and recoil, plated bullets tend to pull out easily. Crimping over the shoulder eliminates that issue.

[3006mv]

i use the plated in my lever action rifles and lead for revolvers. semi wadcutters best of both worlds?
nice pictures, what brand?

[357shooter]

I like to use the 158 swc and Unique 7.2gr.
For the 45 I use 200 swc and B.E 3.6gr.
I like X-Treme bullets, I have never had a problem with them.