Lee 38SPL 150gn RN Load Data

[dave1909]

Hello. I am looking for anyone who has any load data for the Lee 150gn RN .358 boolits that I have cast. I have tried some loads, but with powder getting hard to come by I am looking for different data. Primarly, Winchester WST. Thanks!

[Kraschenbirn]

No data here for WST but I've been using 700X in my .38 Spls for a lot of years. Drops consistently from the measure of my Dillon SBD; not what you'd call 'clean' but not as dirty as Bullseye or Unique; and - at least around here - not difficult to find. Start at around 3.0 gr. in .38 Spl cases and work up...I load 3.6 under the 150 gr. Lee for right at 900 fps from my 3" SP-101.

Bill

[tazman]

I recently began loading wst for 38 special and 9mm. For the 38 special(fired in a 357 magnum) I was only wanting a light load for practice and plinking. I loaded 3.5 grains under the bullet you mention as well as under a 158 swc and a 105 swc. I got excellent accuracy with no leading and little soot. This is just what worked for me. Your mileage may vary.

[Outpost75]

I have found that if your powder slide in a Dillon machine is already set up for a safe load with Bullseye or 231, you can use that setting with WST and not get into any trouble, because the powder is "fluffier" and you will get a somewhat lighter, but safe charge weight.

A measure set to throw a standard load of 3.5 grains of Bullseye or 4 grains of 231 will throw about 3.3 grains of WST, which is a "starting" load in .38 Special about 700 fps with a 150-158-grain lead bullet at 1.45" OAL.

Similarly a powder slide set to throw a full "IPSC" charge of 5 grains of Bullseye or 5.5 grs. of 231 will throw 4.5 grains of WST, which is a good wadcutter charge with an H&G68 at 1.25" OAL for about 770 fps.

[tazman]

The following is a link to a Winchester data manual from 2003 that has load data in it for WST for 38 special.
http://www.castpics.net/LoadData/Freebies/RM/Winchester/Winchester2003.pdf
Enjoy

[bedbugbilly]

I have that mold and I've been using it over 3.4 gr of BE - seems to work fine out of my 4" & 5" Smiths - I just use it for general plinking. I size them to .358 and TL in alox/paste wax. My COAL is 1.440 and I just put a moderate roll crimp on them. Seem to work great. YMMV though I was lucky enough to find 2 # of BE a while back but I understand is can be hit or miss anywhere in regards to powder supply. I like using BE but I do have some unique and some AA2 to fall back on if I run low of the BE.

I just went back and looked at my loading data - I show for BE 3.1 gr/min and 3.5 gr/max. I don't remember what manual I pulled that from. I show that I started out at 3.2 gr. of BE but bumped it up to 3.4 gr. I don't have a chronograph so can't tell you what they are flying at. I'm not getting any leading though with the sizing I'm doing and the lube I'm using.

[zomby woof]

I'm using Red Dot 3.0-3.5, nice plinkers

[ArchAngelCD]

My favorite .38 special load is a 158gr LSWC over 4.0gr W231. That load works just as well with a 150gr LRN bullet too.