MidSouth Shooters SupplyLee PrecisionLoad DataWideners
RotoMetals2Reloading EverythingTitan ReloadingSnyders Jerky
Inline Fabrication Repackbox
Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: Lee Handloading Manual Question

  1. #1
    Boolit Master PBSmith's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Posts
    502

    Lee Handloading Manual Question

    Do any of the the Lee manuals contain suggested (or max) loads for heavy (190-200 grain) cast bullets in the .38 Special and .357 Magnum? If so, what powders do they list?

    Thanks
    Last edited by PBSmith; 03-25-2020 at 08:50 PM.

  2. #2
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Colorado
    Posts
    772
    The Lee second edition lists 14 powders for 38 special and 20 powders for 357 Magnum all with 200 grain lead bullets. Much of their data which is now almost 20 years old was originally from the powder suppliers. You can probably find up to date information on the powder suppliers websites. I would start with the Hodgdon site since it will have data for Hodgdon, IMR, and Winchester powders.
    Some times it's the pot,
    Some times it's the pan,
    It might even be the skillet,
    But, most of the time, it's the cook.

  3. #3
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Moorhead, MN
    Posts
    688
    I recently saw an "updated" edition of Richard Lee's manual. One of my favorite articles in my 2nd edition was about cast bullet hardness and peak chamber pressure.

  4. #4
    Boolit Grand Master Bazoo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Cecilia, Kentucky
    Posts
    6,785
    Lees manual does not have data specific to his bullets sadly. The Lyman 4th has a few lee moulds in it's reference.

  5. #5
    Boolit Grand Master

    gwpercle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Baton Rouge, Louisiana
    Posts
    9,298
    Lyman #4 only has data up to 170 gr. in the 38 special and 180 gr. in 357 magnum .
    No data shown on 190 gr. or 200 gr. boolits .
    Gary
    Certified Cajun
    Proud Member of The Basket of Deplorables
    " Let's Go Brandon !"

  6. #6
    Boolit Mold
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    West central NH
    Posts
    23
    You could try www.matttsbullets.com, they make lead bullets and list a 195 gr. lead bullet, further somewhere on that site they say they test fire every design they make. Maybe they can help with load data.

  7. #7
    Boolit Mold
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    West central NH
    Posts
    23
    My personal method is to use the heaviest Jacketed bullet load and deduct 10% from the starting load from Mr Lee`s 2nd edition. There are 4 listed loads for a 200 gr Jktd, all Vitavouri powders. And i always seat the bullet with NO crimp, why tempt fate.

  8. #8
    Boolit Master PBSmith's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Posts
    502
    Quote Originally Posted by shootzemm58 View Post
    You could try www.matttsbullets.com, they make lead bullets and list a 195 gr. lead bullet, further somewhere on that site they say they test fire every design they make. Maybe they can help with load data.
    Thanks for that suggestion. I actually have a box of his 358 heavies.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check