Enlighten me on cast boolit weight choice

[newton]

I have a generic question, posed to a specific situation. I have tried heavy boolits in most of my guns while leaving the lighter choices behind. In the past it has been about choosing the right boolit for multiple purposes.

But now I find myself with three different boolit weight choices for a caliber. I picked up some new molds and one was a lyman 358242(356242). It's the 92 grain version. I see I can use it for any of the "9mm" guns; .380, 9mm, 38 spec, 357 mag.

So what are the benefits and draw backs of shooting this bullet in each caliber. For one it's heavy, for another very light. Happy I got the mold, but never ran into this kind of question before.

[ku4hx]

The lighter the bullet, the more you get per pound of alloy so that's a plus for the "light for caliber" argument. I was once in your predicament and solved it to my satisfaction by going with what worked best, i.e. a cartridge's "sweet spot". For me that was 124 grain in 9mm, 230 grain in 45ACP, 175 grain in 40 and 10mm, 240 grain in 44 Special and 44 Magnum and either 140 or 158 grain in 38 Special and 357 Magnum.

I also once thought I wanted to use the same bullet for multiple calibers. I do that to some extent but for what I and the wife do there is just no longer an advantage to it. Being retired, I'm into simplifying things and, frankly, a paper plate, steel plate, silhouette or tin can for that matter can't tell the difference.

[David2011]

Newton,

It's all about the physics. Sorry; I couldn't resist. The bottom feeders have such different requirements from the wheelguns. Since the wheelguns don't depend on recoil inertia you can shoot some delightful light loads with light boolits. The 92 grain boolit with a little Bullseye (~2.5-2.8 grains) would have almost no recoil. It would be very easy on powder as well as lead, like ku4hx said. It would be terrific for introducing someone into shooting who was concerned about recoil.

For bottom feeders you'll need enough recoil energy to assure reliable function so a heavier boolit might be easier to work with. You'll get pretty high velocities by the time a 9mm is functioning reliably with a boolit that light. The .380 would be less of a challenge since that's in the normal weight range.

David

[wv109323]

Most of the time the twist rate of a firearm is set up for the "ideal" bullet weight for that caliber so that the Boolit can be stabilized. I glanced at the twist rate for the calibers listed and they all overlap one another so that is not much of a factor.
The next thing is Boolit energy. Don't expect the penetration of a 90 gn. as being equal to a 160gn at the same velocity.
The 90 gn. can be used in the .38/.357 with reduced loads but there is no way to stuff a 158 gn. into a .380 case and maintain an OAL that with fit into a magazine.
In your case there are no limiting factors as to using a light bullet in the .38/.357 except energy if needed in a SD situation.

[Mk42gunner]

Light boolits make your lead stash last longer. (plus)

Light boolits impact lower in fixed sight guns. (minus)

Try them and see what happens.

Robert

[dilly]

Just to add a different perspective, heavy for caliber bullets have lower velocities which can be an advantage for reducing problems with leading. You can of course load down light bullets to be slower, but you lose energy. For target loads that doesn't matter much, but some people like to shoot what they hunt/defend with.

[.22-10-45]

Never can have too many moulds! Especially usefull when dealing with fixed sights..sometimes a certain bullet weight will be spot on for windage & elevation.

[bobthenailer]

for the folowing calibers this is what ive found best
380 -95gr
9mm-122 to 145gr
38 super - 122 to 145 gr
38 special - 158 gr
357 mag - 158gr to 180 gr
44 mag - 200gr to 250 gr
45 acp - 170 to 230 gr
454 Casull 260 to 300gr
I do at times use a 122 gr bullet thats for the 9mm/38 super sized @ .358 dia in the 38 special & 357 mag.
As long as your gun will feed and cycle the action and or is accurate & a safe load, thats almost all thats important.

[kir_kenix]

In wheelguns, I really enjoy light boolits. They are easy on the hands, and you can cast alot of them from a single pot. My favorites include a 70 gr dewc in 38/357 and a good supply of 100ish grain boolits my dad supplied in .45. About 90% of my revolvers have adjustable sights, so elevation adjustments aren't a big deal for me.

I happen to shoot a hell of alot more beer cans and stationary clay pigeons then I do game or badguys, so they work well for my needs. Heavy for caliber boolits have their place, just as light boolits do. Different applications, different boolits. Have fun playing around with your molds and have even more fun shooting your guns.