Smith Outdoorsman and #357446

[David LaPell]

I had heard that the old 357446 was not the greatest mould in the world for the .357 or .38-44 loads. I wanted to test one out anyway, so I found an old Ideal and starting casting with wheelweights. The bullets were water dropped and lubed with Lee Alox. For my Outdoorsman I loaded them in .38 +P brass and 12.5 grains of 2400. Today I got out and shot these at 25 yards. Now keep in mind due to an injury to my left arm, all of my shooting is done with one hand from the bench. Here are the results. Didn't chrono them but will when it warms up. I have shot worse groups with so called better moulds. No leading what so ever after these were shot.

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss57/Smith29-2/Outdoorsmanmaple.jpg
http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss57/Smith29-2/Outdoorsman357446tgt.jpg

[EDK]

Like any other design, some people love 357446 and others hate it. I have had one, but it's only a two cavity and that just don't cut it anymore! I had looked for a four cavity LYMAN off-and-on, but didn't like "retail plus" or some of the junk listed on eBay, etc. IIRC, Glenn Fryxell made some comments about it in one of his numerous...and excellent!....articles over at lasc.us. It looks like you did pretty fair with yours AND your load is in the "serious, but not excessive" range that I favor. Good shootin'...especially with only one hand working.

I'm mostly into Original Size VAQUEROS/BISLEY VAQUEROS in 357 and 44...my only 357 S&Ws are a pair of the 627s from back in the GUN OF THE WEEK period of late 80s/early 90s. I like the N frame, especially in 357, and didn't think much of the decision to drop the Model 27 and 28. The OUTDOORSMAN is a great gun and I would buy one pretty quick, especially with a 6.5 inch barrel.

There are a bunch of different model guns that have been discontinued, to the dismay of their loyal fans. While we can shoot and enjoy them, we should also do our best to preserve them for future generations. When they're gone, they can't be replaced.

:redneck::cbpour::guntootsmiley:

[MT Gianni]

What diameter did they come out at?

[David LaPell]

The bullets are sized at .358, not sure what they are actually dropping at.

[44deerslayer]

i use the same mold in my old model 28 -2 6 1/2 with 4x leupold scope with 15 grains of 2400 at 50 yards can take the x ring out .