Lubeing a 358156 Thompson Bullet

[Rex]

Anyone besides me worry about the tiny grease groove on these bullets? I've been using White Label 50-50 lube and it seems to work but there sure can't be much on those things. I generally ration these bullets out and use them in loads that run a bit over 1200 FPS.

[9.3X62AL]

I've used these for 30 years in 357 Magnum revolvers, and haven't had a problem in handgun-length barrels. No accuracy issues well past 1500 FPS in a 7.5" Blackhawk barrel.

I recall seeing an officer from a nearby agency shooting his 4" Model 29 at our local range years ago. At 25 yards, his handloaded #429421s were still slinging boolit lube all over his B-27 target at 25 yards. At the end of a 30-round string, his target looked like it spent the night under a British car.

[ku4hx]

This is my favorite Lyman mold. Since I bought it circa 1970, I've cast tens of thousands of boolits with it. Back when I was immortal and felt no pain, I loaded most of those thousands to 1,490 fps (13.2 Bluedot/6" Ruger BH/PACT2 Chrono) and never had a problem.

[cf_coder]

I just got this particular mould earlier this year... I lube mine with a little lanolin based case lube to size (to .359) and seat the gas check then use some Recluse 45-45-10, ranch dip style and a .361 cake cutter to remove the excess. Stuff nearly fills the lube grooves.

I shot a few of these (with a gas check) through my Marlin 1894 this past weekend while doing some load development using Lil'Gun. I'll have to check my chrony results when I got home, but I was pushing them easily at j-word velocities and there was zero/nada lead in the barrel. Some shmutz from the Recluse lube was all that was left. Great boolit!!!

[Rex]

I like the boolit to, it just doesn't seem like much lube. I load a modified version of Skeeter Skelton's load. I only use 13 grains of 2400 with a Mag primer.

[TCFAN]

I use a Lyman hollow point 358156 in my 1894C marlin at 1750fps lubed with BAC and gator checks sized at .359.No leading at all.I put the lube in the lube groove and the bottom crimp groove..............Terry

[Char-Gar]

Anyone besides me worry about the tiny grease groove on these bullets? I've been using White Label 50-50 lube and it seems to work but there sure can't be much on those things. I generally ration these bullets out and use them in loads that run a bit over 1200 FPS.

Why would you worry about a bullet that has been in use for almost 70 years and has worked well for many thousands of shooters including yourself?

[GP100man]

I loobed the bottom crimp groove on these just to see if I could . But not needed , I also run em 1200+ (even barebottomed) & only get leading when I overspeed my alloy!

http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx110/GP100man/102_0012.jpg

[Larry Gibson]

tiny grease groove on these bullets

???? Hmmmmmm......I never considered them "tiney" and have never had a problem with them in 40+ years........always works for me with Javelina lube and I push them very hard in .357 revolvers, Contenders and rifles.

Larry Gibson

[rockrat]

I lube even the crimp groove and have shot them in a 357max rifle at nearly 2,600fps, without any leading.

I don't see where the slower speeds would be a problem

[9.3X62AL]

I like the boolit to, it just doesn't seem like much lube. I load a modified version of Skeeter Skelton's load. I only use 13 grains of 2400 with a Mag primer.

It's not "as much lube" as some of the Keith clones carry, but there's enough to do the job. My "default" load is similar to yours, Rex--CCI 500 primer, 13.5 grains of 2400, and the #358156 with Hornady check and the bottom three grooves filled with Javelina (including the "default" groove formed by the check and its shank). These duplicate W-W 158 grain factory JHP loads that my old agency has authorized for years. It runs at 1235-1250 FPS from a 4" 686.

[Rex]

9.3x62AL, I load the bullet long with 13 grains 2400 and the CCI Mag primer with the same check as you, out of my 4" 686, over my chronograph it runs just over 1200 FPS and is very accurate.

[JDL]

I use both the HP and solid versions lubed with FWFL in my .358 at 1650 fps and have never had a problem except, trying to wipe the smile off my face after shooting them!:-)