The Ruger LCR and Cast Boolits - alloy selection

[MtJerry]

I've been working on a carry load for my Ruger LCR that will be accurate, and provide acceptable expansion properties at standard 38 Special Velocities.

I started with a standard boolit alloy that is 50% wheelweights with 50% pure lead. My boolit of choice for my load is the Ideal 358439 which is a hollow point version of the Elmer Keith 358429.

Unfortunately, the stubby little barrel on the LCR like all snubbies, does not provide adequate room for generating very high velocity. I decided to soften the alloy and cast a few out of 90% pure lead and 10% wheelweights. I also increased the load slightly. Still no expansion, but accuracy was fantastic!

Back to the drawing board and I decided I would just swing the pendulum all the way to the opposite end and cast the last batch out of a very soft alloy consisting of pure lead with just a pinch of tin solder to help the mold fill out properly .. and I increased the load a smidge more and now had a load that is verging on standard and +P pressure.

Bingo ... just what I needed.

And just for giggles, I poured a few boolits into a Lyman 358156 and shot them out of my Marlin 1894 loaded with 13.5 gr. of H110 (I usually shoot this boolit into a inch at 75 yards but they are usually cast out of a much harder alloy) to see what they would do ... got GREAT expansion, but I have my doubts about how well the will hold up for accuracy.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f17/MtJerry/DSCF0673.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f17/MtJerry/DSCF0682.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f17/MtJerry/DSCF0678.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f17/MtJerry/DSCF0677.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f17/MtJerry/DSCF0676.jpg

[fecmech]

Binary alloys (lead/tin) have been the way to go for low velocity HP's. The 358439 cast 30/1 lead tin over 5 grs of Unique, 4.2 BE, 4.9/231 will be accurate and expand.

[linotype]

The LCR is a fine handgun, and good accuracy.
I use a 50/50 358156 over 5 grains Unique as +P 38 Spl. Good expansion.
This load really barks in the LCR.

[Ohio Rusty]

I've been casting the same boolit with 50/50 WW's/pure and no tin. I used up to 5.0 of Unique and Linotype is right ... that loading really barks. I settled on 4.5 grains of unique and it is a very good shooter. I have to shoot more to test the expansion. Grea.ty post on alloys and testing of the LCR and the 358439. I may have to play with my alloy more after your post !! I really enjoy my LCR. Carried it all day today and no discomfort at all. Mostly forgot it was IWB.
Ohio Rusty ><>

[JLM3rd]

Thanks for posting this. That 4 gr. Bullseye load looks fantastic. I get really good groups in my LCR with a Lyman 358477 over 3.5 gr. of 231. Always on the lookout for new loads though.

[thehouseproduct]

Is there any reason to think that a 358156 using a gas check wouldn't be fine for the 38 Special using 4grs Bulleye?

[MtJerry]

If you are willing to pay the extra money for the gas check then I don't see any reason why you couldn't use it.

I personally wouldn't use a gas-checked boolit for a .38 special. There have been several owners of 358156 molds who have them modified to have the gas-check shank removed and are reporting that it's a great handgun boolit in that configuration.

I personally prefer the 358439 for mine.

That's one of the many joys of shooting cast .. you can pour and use what you want as long as it works!

[Larry Gibson]

I've used 358156s cast of pure lead, GC'd and HP'd to the bottom of the front driving band with a 1/8" Forster tool for 38+ years I've used Javelina lube and load them over 5.5 gr Unique for a +P load. They are the equal to Winchester and Federal FBI LSWCHP load, same velocity, same expansion. With the GC'd 358156s I can shoot them all day long with no leading or fouling buildup. Can't do that with the same load under a pure lead 359477. Yes, I have tried other lubes, they didn't work as good as the Javelina.

BTW; I've measured the psi with this load. 5.5 gr Unique is the +P load (SAAMI) and 5 gr Unique is a standard .38 SPL load (SAAMI) with 150 gr cast bullets.

Larry Gibson

[thehouseproduct]

I've been working on a carry load for my Ruger LCR that will be accurate, and provide acceptable expansion properties at standard 38 Special Velocities.

I started with a standard boolit alloy that is 50% wheelweights with 50% pure lead. My boolit of choice for my load is the Ideal 358439 which is a hollow point version of the Elmer Keith 358429.

Unfortunately, the stubby little barrel on the LCR like all snubbies, does not provide adequate room for generating very high velocity. I decided to soften the alloy and cast a few out of 90% pure lead and 10% wheelweights. I also increased the load slightly. Still no expansion, but accuracy was fantastic!

Back to the drawing board and I decided I would just swing the pendulum all the way to the opposite end and cast the last batch out of a very soft alloy consisting of pure lead with just a pinch of tin solder to help the mold fill out properly .. and I increased the load a smidge more and now had a load that is verging on standard and +P pressure.

Bingo ... just what I needed.

And just for giggles, I poured a few boolits into a Lyman 358156 and shot them out of my Marlin 1894 loaded with 13.5 gr. of H110 (I usually shoot this boolit into a inch at 75 yards but they are usually cast out of a much harder alloy) to see what they would do ... got GREAT expansion, but I have my doubts about how well the will hold up for accuracy.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f17/MtJerry/DSCF0673.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f17/MtJerry/DSCF0682.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f17/MtJerry/DSCF0678.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f17/MtJerry/DSCF0677.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f17/MtJerry/DSCF0676.jpg
Did you dire those into gel, phone books, water jugs?

[MtJerry]

Water-soaked phone books