Lyman 358242 accuracy in a 38spl

[Agentr]

Desperately trying to get an old K38 shooting well with something other than a HBWC or WC. I have tried some other varieties but still having trouble getting under 3" at 50yds. I heard from a buddy that the Lyman 358242 120g RN shoots incredibly well in the K 38. He has since misplaced his mold (loaned it out and forgot who) so no I am looking to try some. Anybody got some of these 358242 120g RN made up and sized .358? I am willing to send you a few bucks to try 50 or so rds.

[cwheel]

They do well in my K38 with a 8 3/8" barrel. Got the mold more than 30 years ago. My mold throws the boolits a little small though, .358 or so from the mold. Run through the sizer and luber and sometimes end up rejecting small ones that won't size all the way around. I also have a Timberwolf pump .357 rifle. The round nose feeds well through the pump action perfectly. Out to 100 in the rifle, best cast loads I've ever made. Casting stuff is stored now, would make you a few and send them on. Keep looking for the mold. Wish I had a 4 hole version of this, would make the casting faster.
Chris

[williamwaco]

If you can't find it, consider the Lee 356-124 TC.

It groups consistently under 2" at 50 yards from my Thompson Contender.

Mine drops at around .357/.358

This might not work for you.

[jdgabbard]

Agentr, I don't have any cast up. But they are on the list as one of the next to cast. If you'd like I can cast you some when I get around to doing it. Probably be a week or so until I can. Don't mind also sending you some 356402, however, I wouldn't shoot those in any lever gun. But they'll do fine in a K38. Just PM me.

[Walter Laich]

while not part of the orginial topic there are actually two 358242 molds, one for 120 gr and one for 92 gr.


I almost got the wrong one but the pards here set me straight

[Le Loup Solitaire]

Lyman #358242 works very well in the 38 special, .357 and 9mm. It casts easily and can be made to shoot accurately. Being a round nose enables it to feed easily and reliably in 9 semiautos. I have worked only with the 120 grain and have been very pleased with this bullet. It usually drops at .358 with WW which is ok for most applications, but with some tin added it can be increased a bit. I am using a 2 cavity, but it might still be available from Lyman in a 4 hole version on special order. LLS

[rintinglen]

I have a 4 cavity that is a 356-242 120, but it casts just barely .357. I've not tried it in a 38, though it works well in my 9mm Largo. I've also used it im 9mm Luger and 380 acp.

[jdgabbard]

Yeah, wish I had a 4-Cav of that mold... Although there was just a thread posted by Blammer where he had a copy of the mold. Looked like it should shoot well. And is a 5-Cavity. Maybe if I can round up the cash fairly quickly.

[Blammer]

GUESS WHAT! NOE just put on his website some 358242's for sale!

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?181929-NOE-358242-121Gr-RN

[jdgabbard]

And Blammer responds, lol

[Char-Gar]

The traditional 150-160 round nose bullet will shoot well in any 38 Special sixgun ever made by Smith and Wesson or Colt. The Lyman No. is 358311 and others have made it as well. A charge of 3.5/Bullseye will deliver good accuracy and shoot to the sights of most fixed sighted service revolvers. Matts Bullets sells these. His bullets are of good quality.

[Agentr]

Thanks for all the input. It's been helpful. I have found the magic bullet. LEE 358-140-SWC 1.24" at 50 yards... repeatable! 3.4g 700X, std OAL, rem SPP, Mixed Brass Ransom Rest. A close second at 1.74" was the Lyman 358242 (sized at .358) 3.5 BE ...etc..! I tried this bullet with the 700X load as well. It just shot better with BE. the 140-SWC shot better w/ 700X. Both shot OK with 231/Hp38. Let me know if anyone has more questions on results.Tried the 358477 (I have approx 1000 of them) and never could break the 3" mark with these. Keith style 158g were abysmal at best. An honorable mention goes the the 358 125 RNFP. 3.5"-4"...surprising for a cowboy bullet. Note* ALL testing done at 50 yds from Ransom Rest. All bullets tried with all of the following 3.5g BE, 4.2g BE... 3.4g 700X, 3.8g 700X,.... 3.7g, 3.4g 231/Hp38 Bullets tested: 358477, 358429, 358242, 358156, LEE Designs: 120g TC, 140g SWC, 158g SWC,125g RF, 150g SWC, 158g RN, H&G #50 (almost as good result as 140g SWC) THe only bullet that came close was the HBWC in any variety you want (loaded 3.1g 700X)

[Agentr]

LEE 120g TC worked good at 2.5"-3"