Data for Lee 166 gr 358 SWC for a 38 Spl?

[armoredman]

Anyone have anything for that? I have AA#2, and #7 powder, and some dreaded 700X.

[leftiye]

On another threa, someone mentioned looking up data for the Lyman170 grain swcpb. With 160 grainers I used to use HS7 for hotloads. Velocities in the low .357 range with less than +P 38 pressures. Blue Dot is another favorite of mine in 38, 357, and 45 LC. Lyman cast boolit manual Shows 7.3 grains BD in .38sp at 16500cup's going 869 fps. Accurate shows #2 starting at3.6 grs/@721 fps and max load at 4.0grs/868 fps with16,300cup's. AA#7 does much better if you were to get some. If you want more data form the manuals PM me, and I'll see if I can help. Ted

[35remington]

armoredman, I will note that if you are talking about the Lee bullet with the multiple driving bands and small pointy SWC nose, this bullet seats somewhat more deeply than your standard 158-160 grain SWC and actually gets higher velocities with the same charges of powder than standard weight bullets. Pressures are higher too. The standard SWC's of 158 grains have more bullet weight out of the case when seated to the crimp groove, while the 166 Lee has more of its weight inside the case to affect pressure. The small pointy nose in front of the crimp groove doesn't account for much weight.

I discovered this in a chronograph session when comparing charges that normally gave standard velocities and pressures with 158 grain SWC's. Back down several tenths of a grain to get the same velocities.

2400 actually works pretty well with this bullet, but start at the minimums listed and work up carefully from there. 4 grains W231 also works well for a standard velocity/pressure load, as does 3.3 of Red Dot. The load of Red Dot gets 760 fps in a six inch 586 shooting .38 Spl and within a few fps of that in a 4 inch Military and Police .38.

Many powders will serve as long as you're aware of the deeper seating/pressure relationship.

700X should be pretty similar in performance to Red Dot.

[armoredman]

Thanks, I'll try that. This mould casts such nice boolits, too. I have some loaded with the 3.6gr of AA#2, and that's the lowest load for the 173, so I think that should work well. We'll see. Thanks!