What 38 caiber lead bullet questions

[pool67]

I have been reloading 9 mm and 45 ACP plated bullets for about five years with no problem, My question is loading 38 caliber lead bullets should I order .357 or .358 dia. I see mainly .357. Beside lugging the barrel and find it maybe oversized is there another reason for the two different sizes, looking for suggestion on the best dia. to order.... THANK YOU

 

[Michigan Slim]

Lead bullets should be .358. Softer so it needs that extra .001". Jacketed will run .357.

 

[pool67]

Lead bullets should be .358. Softer so it needs that extra .001". Jacketed will run .357.

Thank You very much just do not want to order wrong size..

 

[OHOIAN]

Both .357 and .358 will shoot safely, the .358 will likely leave less lead behind in the barrel.

 

[tranders]

I have had good luck getting my lead projectiles from Missouri Bullet Company. They have coated and uncoated at reasonable prices.

 

[NKBJ]

Lubed lead bullets oversized for the cylinder throats and cylinder throats larger than groove diameter are what I have found to generally give the best results.

 

[Fullmag]

Are planning on shooting 357mag or 38 special?

 

[Falconpuch]

I load 158gr .358 RNFP in 357/38 same bullet for lever guns, snubby and blackhawk

 

[noylj]

Lead bullets are NOT a one-size-fits-all item.
For auto-loaders, the bullets must be at least 0.001" larger than the actual (not the assumed) groove diameter of the barrel.
For revolvers, the bullets must be as least 0.001" larger than the actual (not the assumed) groove diameter of the barrel, plus they must be at least a snug slip-fit in the cylinder's throats. If the cylinder throats are 0.357" and the actual barrel groove dimeter is 0.358", no matter what size bullet you use, the throats will swaged it down to 0.357" and the bullet will suffer gas cutting the barrel.
Thus, if you don't want to measure anything, you use 0.359" and hope for the best.
If you want to go by SAAMI, then the lead bullet should be 0.359" (+0.000/-0.0030) to fit all guns. The cylinder's throats should be 0.3580" (+0.004/-0.000) and the groove diameter should be 0.355" (+0.004/-0.000). However, that is for ammunition to fit all guns and not ammunition tailored for YOUR gun(s).
As you can see, you could have a gun that meets all SAAMI specifications with throats that are 0.362" and a 0.355" groove, or one with throats that are 0.354" and a groove diameter of 0.359".