What's your bullet shape / type?

[John Barleycorn]

I have been thinking about switching from a RNFP bullet to a TC any comments or thoughts on either?  Yeah I know,  shoot both and see how they feed and perform in my firearms lol.  Thanks... JB

[hellgate]

Ya sorta did answer your own question. Basically, I shoot only one weight of bullet (158gr) in the 357/38 and have tried several shapes. I currently like & use the SWC shape but for a couple of years used the RNFP. Some RNFP are like a Truncated RN in shape. They were not as accurate. The newer RNFP Desperado bullet did not shoot as accurately as their old style RNFP shape as usually seen in most ads (like the Bear Cr. bullets). Whenever I pick a new bullet shape I make up some dummies (5) and gradually reduce the OAL a few thou at a time and then rack them through my rifles at a rapid speed to find the "sweet spot" OAL that smoothly & reliably feeds at a rapid pace. THEN I go to work finding the powder charge that is most accurate. Reliable feeding trumps everything. I so looked forward to using the Snakebite bullet, even had the mold in my hand but could not get it to feed reliably in both my Rossi '92s. If I cant get the new bullet style to feed & don't get any more. I cast my own. I have the OALs that each bullet shape needs and they are all about the same in accuracy: SWC, RNFP, RN.

[Silver_Rings]

I normally shoot rnfp in 45 Colt, but when I ran out of those some time ago I loaded some 200 grn truncated cone bullets I had for 45 ACP.  These rounds worked fine in both my pistols and my rifle.  Function and accuracy were about the same.

SR

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[Tensleep]

I have switched to TC for all of our 38/357 loads but haven't found one that I like for 45s. Still using RNFP for that.

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

I can't take the poll because I use several different types of bullets.

For my 45 Colt pistol loads, I use the PRS 250 grain Big Lube bullet. It's basically a RNFP bullet, but it's been adapted to carry a huge amount of lube for Black Powder. On the rare occaision I load Smokeless for 45 Colt, I'll use a conventional 250 grain lead RNFP. I only shoot 45 Colt in pistols, so bullet shape does not matter.

For my 44-40 rifles I use the Mav-Dutchman 200 grain Big Lube bullet. Again, a BP RNFP bullet. I have also used 200 grain RNFP bullets for Smokeless in the caliber.

For Mrs Johnson's 38 Sp pistol and revolver loads I've been using the 125 grain Truncated Cone recently. Her Marlin gobbles them up with no problem, and they don't cause too much recoil in her Vaqueros. But I have also bought cheap 38 Sp reloads for her guns with 158 grain Semi-Wadcutters. Her rifle gobbled these up too, but I wanted to arrive at a slightly lighter load for her pistols.

[Arcey]

Marked RNFP because if I could only have one it would be the Lyman 358665.  They’ve been used for rifle rounds for some time now.

Pistols.  I like to play.  Right now it’s a round ball in .357 Magnum cases.  My ‘Heap Bad Medicine’ loads.  When I get tired of messin’ with those I’ll go back to Lyman 358091 wadcutters.

For stages callin’ for a reload I use an out of production Lyman RN in .38 Special cases.  Plated brass I can leave in leather forever.

Usin’ Goex ‘n fiber wads.  No foulin’ problems.  I can shoot one or fifty ‘n the barrels look the same.  They’re all loaded on a single stage so I don’t have to adapt my technique(s) to what a progressive wants.  Castin’ myself, I’m not dependant on a bullet vendor.  Usin’ a Lee Factory Crimp die I can crimp ‘em where I want ‘em crimped.

I will say I was happy with TCs I was buyin’ a few years ago when I was shootin’ smokeless but the vendor quit. 

[John Barleycorn]

Papahoss,
  This poll may have some helpfull info for your friend...JB

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I checked "Other" because I use both TC and RNFP. For my 38/357 loads I use 125 gr TC in light loads and 158 gr RNFP in higher loads. For .45lc, I load 165 gr RNFP in my pistols (1858 Remingtons) and 205 gr RNFP in my Lightning Rifle and also in my 1911. When I run out of the 165 gr RNFP, I'll switch over to the 205's in my pistols, as well.