200 grain .38 Special?

[PJgunner]

Not sure which 200 gr. RN bullet we're talking about but my best guess would be the Lyman #358430. You can duplicate the ole Winchester and Remington heavy police load with that bullet by using 3.5 gr. of Unique. That's one of the bullets I cast and right this moment there are five of those bulleted load in the chambers of the S&W M60 that I carry. At the distance the load would be normally used, hitting a bit high wouldn't hurt anything but the bad guy.
That was one of the loads I used to make up when I was loading ammo on a commercial basis. A deputy sheriff liked the old police load for his back up gun so I made him up 100 rounds. He was happier than a hog in mud. I've cast up some of those bullets as gifts to friends and they're always asking for more.
The Brits dropped the .455 Webley in favor of what they called the .38/200, the ols .38 S&W (not the .38 Spl.) with a 200 gr. bullet. They felt it was a fine manstopper. Me? I'd have stayed with the .455 if I had a choice. The load I gave should hit pretty close to point of aim. It does for me in my snubbies.
Paul B.

[Rapier]

Paul,
I use the cast 200gr RCBS FP GC or at times, the 200 Rem RN. But I prefer the 200 FP as it allows a bit more case capacity due to the flat point.

I too have loaded the 200 FP for friends in the department for their backup guns. It usually takes one trip to the range for the process to really take root and be appreciated.
Ed

[PJgunner]

Originally Posted by Rapier

Paul,
I use the cast 200gr RCBS FP GC or at times, the 200 Rem RN. But I prefer the 200 FP as it allows a bit more case capacity due to the flat point.

I too have loaded the 200 FP for friends in the department for their backup guns. It usually takes one trip to the range for the process to really take root and be appreciated.
Ed

Are you talking the RCBS #35-200-FP bullet? You'd have to really deep seat that one to make it fit. It, along with the Lyman #358315HP, anther bullet in the 200 gr. range made a round that's a bit too long for my S&W M60. They just barely clear in my S&W M28 .357 mag. using ,38 Spl. brass. I dunno if Lyman even makes the #358430 mold anymore although I did see loads for it in their #4 manual at Sportsman's warehouse. They were showing it as a plinking bullet for the .358 Win. as I recall. I have all three of the bullet molds mentioned as well as some other .35 caliber molds for rifles that arre way too heavy and too long for handgun use.
I've been giving some consideration to working up a stiff .357 mag. load with #358430 as I can seat it properly and have room for it in the cylinder without it's being too long. Might be a very interesting project.
Paul B.

[Rapier]

"Are you talking the RCBS #35-200-FP bullet? You'd have to really deep seat that one to make it fit."

Yes and yes you do. There are two items one must pay attention to, seating to the cylinder length and crimping the bullet over the ojive, without refrence to any manual, if using the 357 case. Now the 38 spl can be crimped into the crimping groove if trimmed correctly.

The other item is the choice of brass. Usually the RCBS FP bullet requires the use of brass / brass as even the thickness of a nickel coating will cause a bulge at the web that will prevent the loaded cartridge from fitting in the chamber.

I use H-110 in my loads and Federal 205m primers with a hard crimp. This is not a loading process for a novice.
Ed

[PJgunner]

"This is not a loading process for a novice."

I'll buy that.
Paul B.