.38 Service Load Saeco #390/Lyman 358311

[101VooDoo]

Anyone interested in a .38 Service Load boolit?

Either a Saeco #390 or Lyman 358311 clone in a nice Swede 5 cavity aluminum mold?

Have it cast about .359 with WW.

Jim

[Outpost75]

In my view the LRN bullets are only good for punching paper and for nostalgia. For field or service use there are much better bullets out there.

A full charge wadcutter of traditional shape which positions most of the nose outside the case, leaving room for heavy powder charges, is a good choice in a sturdy revolver. I like a heavier bullet in .38 Special. My usual carry is a Ruger Police Service Six with 4" barrel, which digests a steady diet of +P equivalent handloads without issues.

The Accurate 36-180H shown below weighs 180 grains in wheelweights, gives an overall cartridge length of 1.55" when crimped in .38 Special brass. It closely mimicks the shape of the old Modern Bond flatnbosed bullets.

This design is a hard hitter which feeds more smoothly in a lever action than an SWC. Use published data for the #358429.

Attachment 99656

[Char-Gar]

The old RN 155-160 grain 38 Special service bullets when loaded with 3.5/Bulleye will shoot to the sights of most older Smith and Wesson and Colt service revolvers. It is a very accurate load for target shooting and plinking.

However as noted, it is a poor choice for anything with flesh, blood and nerves.

[338RemUltraMag]

I have thought about cutting that bullet, I have a little 1 cavity that casts large enough to use for plinkers in my 35 Rem. We could cut one in ~6-8 weeks

[Outpost75]

The old RN 155-160 grain 38 Special service bullets when loaded with 3.5/Bulleye will shoot to the sights of most older Smith and Wesson and Colt service revolvers. It is a very accurate load for target shooting and plinking. However as noted, it is a poor choice for anything with flesh, blood and nerves.

That is quite true. The #359429 and similar bullets DO shoot high in fixed sight revolvers, however, if you are into 100-yard gong plinking with your wheelgun, they are just the ticket. A charge of 3.0 grains of Bullseye is a standard-pressure load useable in any sound .38 Special, the 3.5 grain Bullseye charge, common for the 158-160 grain bullets, when applied to the heavier #359429 or the Accurate #36-180H is +P, but shoots very well in suitably sturdy revolvers. A charge of 10 grs. of #2400 at 1.55" cartridge OAL gives 880 fps from a 4-inch barrel and is a good full charge load in .38 Special brass which approximates the old .34/44 High Velocity rounds for use in N-frame .38 Specials, the Colt New Service and .357 guns only.

[338RemUltraMag]

Here are 2 images I made up, one is the standard 358311 and the other is a HP version I can do in a cramer style mold. Like I said, 6 to 8 weeks till they are cut and shipped

[Bardo]

I love this bullet (358311) I have a 4 cavity and 2 2-cavities. I was going to send one of the 2 cavities off to Erik to get hollow pointed. My smith model 15 loves them and my colt diamond back. the Mihec 359640 shoots just as good but I love shooting a classic boolit out of a classic revolver. There are slight variations of this boolit. I might be interested in this boolit. I am like outpost75 I use this to hit gongs at a distant. I prefer it over a SWC or HP for that. 3.5 gr of bullseye over about any boolit in the 38 seems to shoot great.

Bardo

[101VooDoo]

The old RN 155-160 grain 38 Special service bullets when loaded with 3.5/Bulleye will shoot to the sights of most older Smith and Wesson and Colt service revolvers. It is a very accurate load for target shooting and plinking.

This is the use I had in mind for this one. I've got a Model 14-3 and kind of like classic boolits for most things.

[101VooDoo]

Here are 2 images I made up, one is the standard 358311 and the other is a HP version I can do in a cramer style mold. Like I said, 6 to 8 weeks till they are cut and shipped

Looks like just the ticket. How many cavities can you fit into a mould?

[338RemUltraMag]

6 is max for that but 4 is max for a cramer

[101VooDoo]

Six would be ideal.

How many do you need to make it work?

Jim

[338RemUltraMag]

Six would be ideal.

How many do you need to make it work?

Jim

15 is where I like to be, the more the merrier though.

[hicard]

I would be interested in a 4 cavity Cramer. Any chance of adding GC's to 2 of the cavities for the magnum?

[tonyjones]

I'm interested. TJ

[SSGOldfart]

Hmmm I like the 358311HP any chance you could square up the lube groves? I think you said 4cavity is your maximum with the HP,so I'll jump in for a 4cavity

[Master_Mechanic]

I would be in for a 4 Cav hp. Still on the fence about pb vs gc vs combo in one mold. squared up lube grooves would get my vote too.

[Wayne Smith]

I'd be interested but not yet committed for a 4 cavity Cramer HP 2gc'ed. Commitment depends on price and timing. I'm tapped out at the moment!

[WallyM3]

Definitely interested.

[eezz]

The 358311 HP with squared up lube grooves, I'll jump in for a 4 cavity with GC if available Thanks, EEZZ