springer99

If you've not reloaded before, TC gave you good advise. The Lee Classic Cast Turret press is highly regarded by most that have used it, and it's considered to be the best value for the buck for starting out. It'll put out quality ammunition as well as much more expensive presses, and can even easily be converted to run as a single-stage press. I used my LCT that way when loading 30-06, as I charged the cases off press and this simplified the operation a lot. Buying inexpensive, spare turrets make caliber changes about a 1 minute task. If you are happy with loading 150-175rounds per hour, then you can't go wrong with a LCT. IF you need to load at a much higher rate, then Dillon or a LnL is what you need. Load quality will be the same for all of them.

MBC is a great source for coated bullets. I've used them in the past and the service has been great. Just made the move from cast/lubed to coated and so far, I like them a lot. FWIW, going from plated to cast or coated, you'll probably see an increase in accuracy.

Went with a LnL. Coming from a Lee Turret, I just couldn't bring myself to go back to a manual indexing press like the 550, and the 650 was not in the budget. Just set it up and ran a couple 100 38Spl's thru it so far. Seems like a real solid press I will like a lot.

I've been using only nickel plated cases for 38Super and have used them in the past for 45ACP. I've found that they seem to clean up more quickly than brass in my tumbler, and the 38Super's are definately easier to pick out at the range between all the 9mm laying around. I don't flare my cases very much so haven't seen any problems with case mouth cracking, etc.

Sounds like the same problem I ran into with the 200Gr. XTP's. Found out I had to load them to 1.198 to pass the "plunk" test in a RIA Compact. Started low and worked my way up, and didn't have a problem even at the max. published in my manual. YRMV

Thanks for the suggestions guys. MC confirmed that they can size some of these down to .356 when they run their next batch of 9mm. I think that I'll give them a try and see if I run into any feeding issues.

Thanks for the info. Bamboo and yes, I was really interested in trying a full WC design if possible. I saw that Mastercast in Pa. was offering a 100-105gr. DEWC(based on a Magna Engineering mold design) which really sounded like a possibility. I just am wondering a bit about any fedding issues. I know that some have modified 1911's to shoot .38Special, but haven't heard of anyone trying the same with a 38Super.

Yea I know this is doing it the hard way, but I just might try my hand at bullseye shooting. One of our local clubs shoots 1800 matches with .22 and centerfire and thought I might use my 1911 in 38Super for the centerfire portion. Has anyone ever tried shooting LWC in 38Super? I'm thinking that the case capacity should be enough for the light powder charges used in this game, but I'm guessing that I may need to "fiddle" with feeding issues.

For some "Service Pistol" matches using an M9, we're not allowed to use reloads but must use what is considered to be standard ball issue ammo. Plus, Federal AE goes on sale from time to time at just over $10 a box which makes it pretty reasonable. Otherwise, you're right, a good reload would be a bit cheaper.

I find that WWB and Federal American Eagle brass to be very good and about equal for reloading. The S&B brass does tend to have tighter primer pockets than those two, but other than that, I've had no problems using that as well. I also tend to buy bulk ball ammo to use for practice and save the cases for reloading. In that case, I try to get the Federal AE as that's been the most accurate factory ammo, by far, that I've found. YMMV