Wadcutter.s

[Tenbender]

I got in a trade a 160 gr. , .358 wadcutter mold.
Anyone have a good load for this ? Will be using a Ruger Blackhawk.
I have a 141 gr. mold that I use in my 2" 38 Spl. I love that mold. If this 160 gr. boolit is worth fooling with I will use 357 brass.
Looking for input.

[Scharfschuetze]

It should work a treat over 2.7 grains of Bullseye, 3.0 grains of 231 and numerous other fast pistol powders in 38 Special cases.

I've never found a need for 357 brass when loading wadcutters in a 357 Magnum revolver. 38 Special brass does just fine and accuracy is as good as when using the longer magnum cases.

If you do use the magnum brass in a 357 revolver, up your load a few 10ths of a grain to compensate for the greater volume of the longer case. That way your velocity will stay the same as with the 38 Special cases.

[runfiverun]

I think you'll like the longer wad cutter in the Blackhawk.
Scarf's loads should shoot well.
other loads I have had good luck with is 4grs of 231, and 3grs of red-dot.

[gwpercle]

If it's in fact the discontinued Lyman 358432 160 grain mould you have a much overlooked boolit.
over 2.8 grains of Bullseye it makes 15 shot , one ragged hole groups about 1 1/4 inches wide from my Ruger Blackhawk.
This boolit has consistently proved to be the most accurate design out of all the other moulds , flush WC , SWC , RF and TC in all my other 38/357 revolvers and with just about any powder.
I have a 38 special target gun set up with heavy barrel , trigger job and a red dot sight just to try different boolits and powders. The 358432 and Bullseye are one heck of a combo, I can get 1 inch 15 shot groups . I haven't found any other that will out shoot it.
Read what PB says , I've had the same experience with A No 5 in 357 magnum in my Ruger Blackhawk. That 15 hole group spanned 1 1/2 inches but the gun has iron sights and my eyes are not new any more.
Give that boolit a good chance, it will perform.
Gary

[Tenbender]

The mold is a 358495. I have a 358495 in a 141 gr. and a 358495 in a 160+ . Made on Monday I guess ?

[gwpercle]

The mold is a 358495. I have a 358495 in a 141 gr. and a 358495 in a 160+ . Made on Monday I guess ?
If that 358495 will cast a 160 grain boolit, seat it out of the case a band or two and see how she does.....you might just have a winner !

[Thumbcocker]

I shot a pile of that boolit over 4.9 of 231 in a model 27. that was a max .38 special load that I put in .357 brass. Shot real well and was pretty potent on varmints. That load also taught me that shooting a possum in a small feed room with a tin roof without hearing protection was not the best idea I ever had.

[runfiverun]

I know that sound.
it's hard to describe, but unforgettable.
I torched a pine martin in our old silo where we kept the fire wood,, once.....once.
the 41 mag stoked with 16+grs of 2400 is handy to have around the place but it might have been a little over kill inside that metal building.

[Ed_Shot]

Really like my 358495 (142 gr.) seated far enough out to kiss the forcing cones in my Rugers. My favorite load for this boolit in a .357 case is Red Dot/Promo 5.0 gr.

[Tenbender]

If that 358495 will cast a 160 grain boolit, seat it out of the case a band or two and see how she does.....you might just have a winner !

I have got a winner! The mold is throwing 163 gr. I'm using 357 brass w/ 6gr. Unique. In my 6" Blackhawk it was grouping 2" at 15 yrd's off hand. At 25 yrd's resting my arm on the back of my pickup still 2".
We had a warm dry day here . I thought I needed to test this boolit. Very happy. I'm looking forward to spring. I tested a new load for my Glock 23 and it was better. By better I mean a lower powered load. It shot well. It is going to be a good year. I feel it coming.

[Thumbcocker]

Glad things are working for you.

[wonderwolf]

Tenbender if you ever get a chance to get a 358432 with HP options and you are looking for a "do all wadcutter" don't hesitate. NOE makes a copy that has worked very well for me so far. Would like to see pics of your 358495 if you get the chance.

[wonderwolf]

Double tap

[Tenbender]

Tenbender if you ever get a chance to get a 358432 with HP options and you are looking for a "do all wadcutter" don't hesitate. NOE makes a copy that has worked very well for me so far. Would like to see pics of your 358495 if you get the chance.
185664
The one on the left is a 141 gr and the right is 163. They are button nose and look alike. Both are stamped Lyman 358495. Both shoot great. I use the 141 in a 2" revolver w/ 3 gr. HP38 and I'm going to use the 163 in a Blackhawk w/ 6gr. of Unique. I'm all through with hand numbing loads. My old bones won't take it anymore ! lol

[gwpercle]

That 160 grain mould must have been made back in the day when they would make a special order for you. Yes that one is definitely a keeper , don't let it get away.
Load some with 2.8 to 3.0 grains of Bullseye , shoot them off a steady bench at 15 yards , the one ragged hole is so satisfying to see , fun to shoot too.
My 1970 RugerBlackhawk just loves this load.

Another load it likes is 6.1 grs. AA#5 ( Accurate Arms No. 5) in 357 cases
and 5.5 of AA#5 in 38 special cases.
Nice score on the mould !
Gary

[Tenbender]

Load some with 2.8 to 3.0 grains of Bullseye , shoot them off a steady bench at 15 yards , the one ragged hole is so satisfying to see , fun to shoot too.
My 1970 RugerBlackhawk just loves this load.


Gary[/QUOTE]

Bullseye is a great powder. Takes a small amount so that makes it cheap to shoot. My only problem is that it is dirty. I have about 500 rounds loaded with Bullseye. I was going to shoot them up but after shooting a hand full I think I will pull the boolit's. Unique, AA5 and HP38 for me . Guess I'm lazy ! lol

[wonderwolf]

Interesting, would love to know the story about how the original owner came to the conclusion a 160gr was the way to go...he was sure on to something.

I really like the 160's for the 38/357 esp in a wide meplat format. The only downside is they don't load all too easy with speedloaders. Can't have it all I guess. http://wonderwolfs.blogspot.com/2015/12/intro-to-group-buy-custom-bullet-molds.html
http://wonderwolfs.blogspot.com/2015/12/intro-to-group-buy-custom-bullet-molds.html

[s1120]

I load a 358495 with 2.8gr of 231/hp38. I mount it flush in the case with a slight roll crimp over the top. Its my go to bullseye shooting load from my model 19 smith. I tested from 2.8 to 3.8gr in 2 grain ladders, bolth flush, and at the crimp grove, and it liked 2.8 flush, or 3.2 at the grove. Its a great bullet. I shoot hundreds of them.

[Shiloh]

I think you'll like the longer wad cutter in the Blackhawk.
Scarf's loads should shoot well.
other loads I have had good luck with is 4grs of 231, and 3grs of red-dot.

You make like the longer .357 case as well. I've done it both ways.

SHiloh