Molds for a S&W model 28?

[mcooper]

Hey guys, I'm a long time reloader but haven't cast one bullet yet...nor do I have the gear. I just got a Smith and Wesson model 28 understand and I'll need to accommodate the short cylinder length when loading; I also decided I want to start casting bullets for my shooting ammo.

What lee or lyman mold will do alright length wise when loaded in .357magnum brass? I'm looking for 158grain loads if I can.

Also here's another newbie question: Do I have to have a gas check to push a lead bullet 1200feet per second, how about 1400?

[NuJudge]

I like the 358156 from Lyman. It is a gas check design, and shoots well in every .357 or .38 I've ever shot it in, from 900fps up to 1400 fps.

Gas check designs take a bit more equipment than non-gas check designs, and the gas check itself costs about 3 cents apiece.

I like to load it with 2400 powder in the .357. I like Unique in the .38

CDD

[Bret4207]

I know for sure the 358156 works fine in my 28. You can use the longer boolits in the shorter cylinder by using 38 brass or seating past the crimp groove. Of course powder charges have to be adjusted accordingly.

Congrats on a fine handgun and welcome to the club!

[243winxb]

Smith and Wesson model 28 understand and I'll need to accommodate the short cylinder length when loading; Not a short cylinder, that i know of, same as the M27. Both are N frame revolvers. No gas check needed. Alliant 2400, 13.0 gr.,158gr bullet, in the 357mag. works guite well. Any 158gr cast should work just fine.

[theperfessor]

I don't have either a M27 or M28 (lots of other N-frames tho) but I think a lot of reference to a "short cylinder" refers to the use of a 358429 type bullet. I believe from reading other's comments that this bullet makes a round that is too long when crimped in the standard crimp groove and requires crimping over the front band. Too bad as this bullet at about 170 grs is a real champ in almost any .38/.357. Most 158s ought to be fine.

[fredj338]

Not a short cylinder, that i know of, same as the M27. Both are N frame revolvers. No gas check needed. Alliant 2400, 13.0 gr.,158gr bullet, in the 357mag. works guite well. Any 158gr cast should work just fine.

THe M27/28 do have shorter cyl. than even the M19/66. They will accept any 158gr bullet I have seen but not many of the 168gr-180grSWC styles.

[mcooper]

Thanks guys...now I gotta track down lead. I think I'll call local independent tire places and offer $20-$30 for a bucket of wheel weights. I'd like to get 200 pounds before the no lead WW thing happens.

[fourarmed]

I would not hesitate to buy a 358429 mold if you run across one. I crimp over the front band for my model 19 even though it isn't really necessary. Accuracy is outstanding - the best of any of my revolvers.

[Hurricane]

Any 158 grain bullet will work fine in your model 28. Lyman 358156 is a very good gas check SWC bullet. Lyman 357446 is almost the same thing except it is plane base (no gas check). The 357446 is no longer in prodiction but can be found used on various auction sites if you are patiant. Either one can be used at 1200 fps and the gas check bullet can be pushed to 1400 or even 1500 if your hand can take the punishment. Lyman also makes a 150 grain SWC which shoots very well. RCBS makes a gas check 158 SWC and a plain base 150 grain SWC. Lyman, RCBS, Lee and probably everyone else make a 158 grain RNFP bullet (Cowboy Bullet) that is really good. RNFP is like a round nose bullet with the tip cut off to give it a big flat nose. The RCBS 150 grain SWC is my favorite for all around use but the Cowboy bullet is my number 2 favorite. The only bullets that will not fit your gun are the bullets over 170 grains and then only if you insist in using the crimp gruve. You can use the heavier bullets it your crimp over the forward edge of the forward driving band.

[mcooper]

Any 158 grain bullet will work fine in your model 28. Lyman 358156 is a very good gas check SWC bullet. Lyman 357446 is almost the same thing except it is plane base (no gas check). The 357446 is no longer in prodiction but can be found used on various auction sites if you are patiant. Either one can be used at 1200 fps and the gas check bullet can be pushed to 1400 or even 1500 if your hand can take the punishment. Lyman also makes a 150 grain SWC which shoots very well. RCBS makes a gas check 158 SWC and a plain base 150 grain SWC. Lyman, RCBS, Lee and probably everyone else make a 158 grain RNFP bullet (Cowboy Bullet) that is really good. RNFP is like a round nose bullet with the tip cut off to give it a big flat nose. The RCBS 150 grain SWC is my favorite for all around use but the Cowboy bullet is my number 2 favorite. The only bullets that will not fit your gun are the bullets over 170 grains and then only if you insist in using the crimp gruve. You can use the heavier bullets it your crimp over the forward edge of the forward driving band.


With a 170grain bullet can I still get comparable velocities to normally loaded 170 grain bullets loaded in .357?


Thanks for the advice gentlemen!

[Leftoverdj]

Another vote for the RCBS 150 SWC.

I'd strongly suggest you get a plain base mould first. Even if you find that you need a GC mould for full house magnums, you can still do most of your shooting with PB bullets which are much simplier and cheaper.

[Hurricane]

From the Lyman 46th edition Reloading Handbook: loads for bullet 358429

Powder Starting load FPS CPU Max load FPS CPU
2400 9.7 gr. 879 15,900 13.5 gr. 1242 41,100
296 ---- --- ---- 15.2 gr. 1307 39,900
H110 11.8 gr 1,037 18,900 15.7 gr. 1318 39,800
Blue Dot 8.3 gr. 970 18,400 10.0 gr. 1233 39,200

Do not use reduced loads with 296

[machinisttx]

THe M27/28 do have shorter cyl. than even the M19/66. They will accept any 158gr bullet I have seen but not many of the 168gr-180grSWC styles.

Yep.

M28 Pinned and recessed = 1.620" overall. Subtract .050" for the recesses(what I measured mine to be) and you have 1.570" usable cylinder length.

Non pinned and recessed K and L frame magnums have a 1.625" long cylinder.

Edit: Howdy Mcooper!

[MtGun44]

Another vote for RCBS 150 SWC, excellent boolit. I also have had excellent
results with the 358477 150 gr (early design) and 358429. Lee 358 158 RF
also works well.

Bill

[243winxb]

Originally Posted by fredj338 View Post
THe M27/28 do have shorter cyl. than even the M19/66. They will accept any 158gr bullet I have seen but not many of the 168gr-180grSWC styles.
Yep.

M28 Pinned and recessed = 1.620" overall. Subtract .050" for the recesses(what I measured mine to be) and you have 1.570" usable cylinder length.

Non pinned and recessed K and L frame magnums have a 1.625" long cylinder.

Edit: Howdy Mcooper! My old Lyman 45th edition list bullet #358429 @ 13.0 gr MAX. Alliant 2400, 1180fps. No listing for 296,H110,Blue Dot. Maybe time for a new reloading book?;) Good to now about the "short cylinder" Who said old dogs can't learn new tricks. Thank you for the update.

[lylejb]

OK, I have to vote for the lee 358-158-rf. I have this mold in the 6 cav. version and really like it. This is a plain base boolit, no gas check. It casts well and shoots well.

Personally, i don't think you need a gas check at most pistol velocities.

As this is a lee mould, it's considerably less expensive than the RCBS or Lyman moulds. The 2 cavity version comes with handles and is about $20, the 6 cavity version is about $40 and requires separate handles, about $14. I like that.

I measured the COL of some rounds i loaded in WIN brass with this boolit, it's 1.553, crimped in the groove. That will fit nicely.

When I was considering this mold, i started a thread asking about it. see what others have to say about it.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=59597

hope this helps.

[machinisttx]

My old Lyman 45th edition list bullet #358429 @ 13.0 gr MAX. Alliant 2400, 1180fps. No listing for 296,H110,Blue Dot. Maybe time for a new reloading book?;) Good to now about the "short cylinder" Who said old dogs can't learn new tricks. Thank you for the update.

My Lyman third edition cast bullet handbook lists a few loads with those powders. I think there is a fourth edition out now.

[Dutchman]

I owned 3 Model 28 Hiway Patrolmen in the distant past, all 6" barrels. (I think I still have one S&W blue box for one of them).

I also cast 357446, 358156 and 35893. The 358156 is an outstanding bullet in the Model 28 capable of one hole groups with target loads such as 3.5 grs Unique in a .38 Special case.

Personally I wouldn't load handgun bullets over 1,200 fps without gas checks.

To think of the two new Model 28 I purchased were $115 each..... dang.... I think both were before 1980. I now have a very nice 6" Model 686 but haven't shot it much.

Dutch

[Matt_G]

I'd like to get 200 pounds before the no lead WW thing happens.

Your headed down a slippery slope. You'll probably become addicted like the rest of us.
Piece of advice: add a zero to that number... seriously. :razz:

[brian]

the 358429 works fine in my M27. should work in your M28

[theperfessor]

brian-

Just out of curiousity, where are you crimping the boolit? What is your OAL?

[Bret4207]

The 429 will work in the 28 if you use 38 brass or crimp over the front band in most 357 brass. You can up the 38's to mag velocity, but better keep those loads separate or otherwise marked.