Need advice on 38 special cast dia.

[mikeh3]

This is my first cast for pistol bullets. I have a Lyman 358212 mold which yields bullets several thousands larger than .358 dia. What is the largest bullet dia. should I try to load? I was trying to get out of sizing since I don't have a sizer.
Thanks,
Mike

[Wally]

See if the will chamber first. I load mine sized to .359~.360".

Wally

[runfiverun]

measure the inside of one of your fired cases.
that will tell you how large you can go and still chamber them.

[Echo]

Load one in a case and see if it chambers (in all chambers) - if it does, press on. If it doesn't, use a softer alloy, as it will shrink more post-cast. Not much, but maybe enough so that your round will chamber.

[mikeh3]

Thanks for all the advice.
I seated a couple of bullets and both failed to chamber.
Looks like I'll have to try a Lee Sizer in .358.
Thanks again
Mike

[Down South]

Sometimes I wish that I had that problem. Some of my moulds cast undersize. A Lee sizer is cheap and works well. You won't be disappointed.

[Bret4207]

Get the .358 sizer and see if they shoot. If not you can open the sizer a bit with abrasive cloth. I'd figure you'll end up in the .358+ range for best shooting.

[Leftoverdj]

If you have a can of spray graphite mould release around, try that. It usually reduces bullet diameter by about .002 besides working pretty good as a mould release. I get mine from a NAPA (auto parts) store as DGF 123 in the lubricants section. Buying a sizer is a better long term solution, but you are likely to have trouble finding one quickly.

[DLCTEX]

I size my boolits for my Charter Bulldog 38 special to .359, but with the tollerances found in manufacturing you have to check. When I do 9MM I have to go .356.

[Jack Stanley]

I've used .359" in just about everything and it's worked very well . I think perhaps I could open the die just a touch and still have good results .

Jack