best place to find load info for lee boolit moulds

[4rdwhln]

I am curious as to where you folks find load data for the lee molds. I have a dozen load manuals from the mid 60's to the last three from Hornady and none have specific load data for the lee molds. I have the Lyman 3rd edition and find it a great read with lots of information on the lyman molds. I used the info for the 31141 for my lee 309-170 and unique powder with great success. Over 50 rounds shot and a spotless bore. I have received several more lee molds for the 38 special the 358-140 and the358-158. I am more interested in the semi wadcutter. the other is more than likely going to be trading stock someday. I plan to use bullseye powder and cci primers. I also wonder if I should use the wadcutter style brass that I have or if it matters. Some really good info in the Lyman #42 and the #44 is my go to starting point for my Lyman molds. I also have a copy of the Handbook of cast boolits that I have been thumbing thru since childhood, at dads loading bench. MY thanks to all in advance.

[waco]

Lyman cast bullet handbook, 4th edition

It lists lots of load data with Lee molds.

Waco

[DrCaveman]

Im with Waco, the lyman cast 4th has the most data for lee molds ive seen.

I do wish for a more comprehensive load chart for their boolits, but with enough digging on this site im pretty sure you can find discussion of every single one

As for using wadcutter brass, i think that is for full wadcutters that seat much deeper than the SWC. I havent heard of much harm from using it, but no benefit. Others should correct me here

[runfiverun]

just use load data from a similar shaped and weighted boolit.
all you are doing is creating a volume of air for the powder to sit in.
so look at how deep the base of the bolit seats in comparison to what is shown in the book and you'll be fine.

[DR Owl Creek]

I would trust the info in Lyman's Cast Bullet Handbook No 4 more I would the data in the Lee manual.


Dave

[prs]

I do pretty much the same as Runfiverun, but I state at the bottom of the charge range and only move-up as I look for signs of over pressure on primers or excess recoil for the type of load. Usually, the loads work out middle of the range or upper middle. But, that process should apply even if following the data to the "T".

Rooster

[Bjornb]

Castpics.net has hundreds of pages of load data listed by bullet, by cartridge, by powder and also by other reference. They list a multitude of Lee bullets in their data.

[sigep1764]

The Hornady 9th edition lists a 158 grain swc with bullseye starting load of 2.8 grains and a max of 3.7 grains. The 140 grain lead boolit is listed at 3 grains to start and 4.6 max with bullseye. Min length is 1.450 for the 140 and 1.455 for the 158.

[sigep1764]

In the 49th lyman, it lists a 155 gr swc at an min length of 1.460 with starting load of 2.8 grains bullseye and a max of 4.0 grains.

[wlc]

I always use starting loads for a similar bullet weight/shape and go from there. Work up slow and look for pressure signs along the way. Accuracy usually comes somewhere below the MAX listed load for the powder.

[stubert]

Lee sells their own manual.

[runfiverun]

lee's manual is a re-print of everyone else's data but it doesn't list things like primer or bullet or case.
it definitely does not list any of their own cast boolits.

[texassako]

Lee sells their own manual.

They don't even have 140gr lead .38 Special load data in it even though they sell a mold in the weight.

[4rdwhln]

Thanks all, looks like I will ad the Lyman 4th addition to my library.The question about using the wad cutter specific brass is because more of the 358-140 is in the case when crimped in the crimp grove than say the Lyman 358429 or 358-150hp mold that I have. almost an 1/8inch over the hp. I suppose in the end working a load in both styles of brass is worth doing just for fun. Thanks again.

[Slow Elk 45/70]

Could be that I have been Lost In The Woods for all these years.....I have never worried about who made the mold , I just want a powder load for a gun , in what ever caliber you need info for and how much the boolit weighs....Makes NO difference if the boolit came from a Lyman, Lee, Ideal, Speer or a basket full of others. Check your boolit size and slug your bore. read the threads and Stickys on the site, there is a ton of info that goes with this. Not trying to be a jerk, I hope this helps...worry about boolit weight/size and powder charge, Mold maker has very little to do with this game. Good Luck