Lyman 358429 and a J Frame

[earplug]

I have several S&W J frames Alloy and steel. Ran out of my normal factory cast 158 grain SWC and wondered about using my old Lyman 358429 mold for daily carry.
Cast and sized at .358 at a weight of 171 grains I found that its shoots to point of aim with 4 grains of WW 231. This was at five and seven yards. This load may be found on line as a a close to maximum none +P load.
Was pleasantly surprised that the recoil was not much different them my old 158 grain SWC cast bullet.
I first tried it in a .357 K frame and it felt like a 148 WC load.
I'm beginning to think the old 200 grain 38 spl load might have been a champ.
The published 38 special loads do not come close to the potential of well built firearms chambered for the 38 special.
Its almost like there is a .357 conspiracy combined with a 9MM insurrection.

[Bret4207]

As long as it functions properly and is within safe guidelines I see no issue at all. I've shot some 358-180FN group buy mould boolits from my Bodyguard at around 750 fps and came to pretty much the same conclusion as you, they seem to work just dandy.

The Super Police 200 gr loadings always fascinated me. I have the proper mould, Lyman 358 430, but I just haven't gotten around to playing with it.

[MtGun44]

The only load that I have found that will shoot to the sights and be accurate in my
S&W 342 (Scandium/titanium J-frame .38 Spl) is 5.0 Unique under a 358429 HP which
runs about 160 gr IIRC. Expands wonderfully, shoots into about 2" at 10 yds with
no particular effort and leads not at all. Home run after trying most of the high $$
self defense ammo, which was either 18" off of the POA or shot 12" groups @ 25yds,
or both! The load is warm but safe and not absolute max.

I'm not exactly sure where your load will compare, but try Unique if you want to expand
the power range (safely) of the .38 Spl. It's a bit slower than 231 and may give
more velocity while keeping pressures under control.

Get a HP version of the mold and you'll be impressed with the expansion of Elmer's
old design.

Interesting that both our guns took a heavy boolit and heavy load to get them to shoot
to the fixed sights.

Bill

[fecmech]

At 4 grs of 231 I doubt you're breaking 700 FPS with 358429 but if you're happy so be it. Bills load of 5.0 unique is a max standard pressure load in the Lyman cast bullet Handbook so it would be safe in your J frame also and be right at 800 fps. A 30/1 lead /tin mix hollow pointed 358429 would be a very close duplication of the "FBI" load IMO.

[Ohio Rusty]

I shot the 358429 HP thru my Ruger snubby. Boolit weighs 155 grains. I worked up to 5.0 grains of Unique. I dropped it to 4.5 and that is a good defensive round. Plenty of power on both ends. I wish I could chrono that load. I'd sometime like to trry the 358429 solid in a .38 special when I acquire a proper small arm for that boolit.
Ohio Rusty ><>

[MtGun44]

My alloy for these is nearly pure, difficult to measure hardness. Expands beautifully.

Bill

[35remington]

While this is not the 358429, but rather the Lee 158 SWC TL bullet, I get the following with 5.0 Unique:

two inch barrel, about 850 fps.

four inch barrel, about 950 fps.

FWIW.

I like Mt. Gun's suggestion of Unique as well for a bit more speed, and would also suggest 4.7 to 5 grains.

Depending upon who's manual you are reading, and how current it is, as well as which bullet, something over 4.7 to 5 grains of Unique is Plus P. At or below that level is supposed to be standard pressure, but again, it varies per year of the manual. And of course which bullet you're using and how deeply it seats in the case.