gefiltephish
02-18-2012, 12:38 PM
I purchased this mold with the intention of using it only for a new 686+. However, as things happen, yesterday I picked up a used S&W M64 38spl+.
For clarity, I'm going to call the canelure closest to the nose as #1 and the other obviously #2.
For the 686 I use #1 for 357's and #2 for 38spl. This works out great. However, those 38spl cartridges are too long for the 64's chambers. If I seat the bullet to #1 in 38 cases it drops in no problem.
I'd prefer to have only one 38 cartridge set up for both guns. Seating that bullet almost .100 deeper means working up new loads again. But this also means that the bullet now has .100 *more* free travel before it hits the cylinder throats in the 686. I'm thinking that this may result in a lot of lost pressure and velocity. BTW, I don't have access to a chrono.
So my question is, would I be better off making up separate cartridges for each gun or should I go ahead and use the shorter cartridge for both guns?
For data I'm looking at Lyman 49 pg 355, bullet #358665. Since the bullet weight and OAL work out to be nearly identical to my bullet seated to #1, I'm assuming this data is suitable. These cartridges would be primarily for my wife, so not looking to hotrod. I would appreciate any opinions.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_83024f3fd5329730a.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=4008)
For clarity, I'm going to call the canelure closest to the nose as #1 and the other obviously #2.
For the 686 I use #1 for 357's and #2 for 38spl. This works out great. However, those 38spl cartridges are too long for the 64's chambers. If I seat the bullet to #1 in 38 cases it drops in no problem.
I'd prefer to have only one 38 cartridge set up for both guns. Seating that bullet almost .100 deeper means working up new loads again. But this also means that the bullet now has .100 *more* free travel before it hits the cylinder throats in the 686. I'm thinking that this may result in a lot of lost pressure and velocity. BTW, I don't have access to a chrono.
So my question is, would I be better off making up separate cartridges for each gun or should I go ahead and use the shorter cartridge for both guns?
For data I'm looking at Lyman 49 pg 355, bullet #358665. Since the bullet weight and OAL work out to be nearly identical to my bullet seated to #1, I'm assuming this data is suitable. These cartridges would be primarily for my wife, so not looking to hotrod. I would appreciate any opinions.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_83024f3fd5329730a.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=4008)