Help Settle Debate

[Rooster931]

I have a Lyman mold it is either 357446 or 358446 I cannot remember off the top of my head. The mold drops a great boolit at exactly 158 grains with wheel weights. The lyman material states it should drop a 162 grain boolit. Question or rather debate I have with my friend who reloads with me is............do you use the data for 158 grain boolits or use the data to include C.O.A.L . for the listed 162 grain boolit. I say use the data for the 158 grn boolit. What do you think? More details I usually load these light for .38 spl every know and then light in 357 mag.

[Harter66]

My thought is that 162 data is the safe route however the likely lighter charge and likely longer seating will stack or mine, to lower velocities to some degree. Personally I would use half the 158 load window and call it a maximum .

[runfiverun]

neither really.
use the data for the boolit.
5 grs light or heavy don't matter.
you are gonna start and end somewhere anyway right?
might as well start on the low end and work up to the accuracy node that best suits the gun.

[exdxgxe4life]

if it drops 162 why wouldn't you use the 162 data?

[338RemUltraMag]

if it drops 162 why wouldn't you use the 162 data?

Because he said it drops exactly at 158.......

Me personally would use the 162 data, ONLY because in a pistol there is limited powder space. It may only weigh 158 gr but it is AS LONG as a 162.

[Guesser]

The one I had dropped a consistent 165 grains at .359, I sized it to .358 and could only get it to perform well when I pushed it really hard. Sold it here at CB.

[Hogdaddy]

Either or,, Does'nt make much differance one way or another ; )
H/D

[mdi]

I'll tell you what I'd do; Use data for the mold. If it's a 158 gr. mold I'd use 158 gr. data. My alloys vary and unless I weighed each bullet, each batch of alloy, I would rarely be spot on as per weight per powder charge. Besides, I generally use wheel weight (or there about) alloy and the molds I use are generally designed for #2, or linotype. All my revolver bullets get crimped into the crimp groove, so I don't measure OAL.

[ku4hx]

Every Lyman mold I have has the number rolled/stamped on an outside surface. runfiverun has the firing solution.

[searcher4851]

For a 158 gr bullet, use 158 gr data. What the literature with the mold says is just that, literature. Reality is that if the bullet weighs 158gr, then 158 gr load data will be much more in tune with what you really have. Certain mold manufacturers (not mentioning any names) will also tell you that their mold is dropping a .358 diameter bullet, but a micrometer measures it at .357Would you believe the literature (or label in this case) or the micrometer. I think I'll believe the micrometer. Reality and facts just seem to be so much easier to deal with than the alternatives.

[grampa243]

use the data for the boolit.



Me personally would use the 162 data, ONLY because in a pistol there is limited powder space. It may only weigh 158 gr but it is AS LONG as a 162.

Run and 338 are both right you have the space in the case to go with the pressure of the powder charge. the boolits weight may change the speed it leaves the barrel and the pressure some, but the seating depth is what's changing the pressure the most.

depending on the design of your bullet(number of lube grooves; size of nose; size of grooves) can all change the inside case volume. so try to find data that is for that mould or close to the same.

[Rooster931]

Thanks to all who have replied to this question!

[rintinglen]

A 2 1/2 percent variation in boolit weight? I suppose you could lower the load to 97.5% and be good, but looking in my Lyman 3rd Edition CAST BULLET HANDBOOK I see that the recommended start and max loads for the 158 grain 358-311 and the 162 grain 357-446 are Identical for Bullseye, and vary only .1 grains for Unique, PB and Blue Dot. The only powder that has a significant difference is the Max Load for WW-231. And even there, provided you are not loading max, you'd be OK. Some loads list a higher max for the heavier boolit. Provided you are not loading plus P+ loads, it won't make a noticeable difference. (unless you are launching them from an 11 oz. revolver, in which case any reduction in recoil is to be greatfully grasped.)