should i shoot em?

[nixpap]

I loaded up some Lee 158 gr LSWC GC (drop around 162 or so) to shoot out of my Ruger sp101 357 mag with a 3 inch barrel. I made some with 10 gr Blue Dot and 10.5 gr BD.Also used cci 500 spp. I'm getting conflicting load data and now feel unsure as to weather their too stout. if ok to shoot do you think i'll have a lot of unburned powder? I hate to waste them but I want to be safe.keep my gun safe too.Comments please...thanks nixpap :cbpour:

[Le Loup Solitaire]

I'm from the "better safe than sorry" school and have never subscribed to what others think is a safe or better way to load ammo. If there is conflicting data then don't play with it. Your safety and your firearm may be on the line. I would recommend pulling the rounds down, with a puller that doesn't mar the bullets and do them over starting with lower data and working up....to see where "stout" begins for you and to see where your best accuracy is. LLS

[sigep1764]

My Lyman manual states 8.2 start in load and 10.9 max for blue dot with a 160gr boolit. 10 grains sounds ok. If you meant Bullseye for the BD reference, the book says that's way too hot for 160 gr boolit. Starting g load is 4.9 and max is 6.9.

[retread]

Pull 'em. You don't lose any components and gain peace of mind. As a plus you get to do a little more loading which you like to do anyway.

[nixpap]

My Lyman manual states 8.2 start in load and 10.9 max for blue dot with a 160gr boolit. 10 grains sounds ok. If you meant Bullseye for the BD reference, the book says that's way too hot for 160 gr boolit. Starting g load is 4.9 and max is 6.9.


I found the load you referenced in the Lyman cast bullet handbook and the 49th edition.(i reweighed them=163 +/-.001 with gas check) (BD=blue dot)That is Linotype.i'm using air cooled WW with a gas check.Seems within speck for that load eh?? Too much for the sp101 3 inch? Unburned powder likely? Or do you Gentlemen have a consensus that it's just too darn hot. the load in the Lyman is below max.the 170 gr max is 10gr.Maybe shoot the 10 gr and pull the 10.5. Or shoot em both. Or am I OVERTHINKING it or am I searching for the answer I want to hear?

[bruce381]

If lyman says max 10.9 and you are sure you are at 10.0 then give them a try.

[M-Tecs]

See post #4. I would shoot them both since 10.5 is still under max.

http://rugerforum.net/reloading/74325-357-magnum-old-school-loads.html

[nixpap]

I'm going to call or e-mail the powder manufacturer and see what they say. also, buy a bullet puller (recommendations?)I should have one anyway. I'll try the 10 grainers though. At least a couple.And most important ,I DO NEED to start at the starting loads and work my way up. The correct way. Can't be lazy in this endeavour. What stinks is that the closest range that i can shoot lead and or magnums is over 1/2 an hour away. So every time I need to shoot a new load it's a big hassle.I suppose i can just load about 10 of each in my sequence and stop at the desired load and ugg,pull the rest. My goal is to have a nice suppl of plinkers (which is easy) and a very nice stash of thumpers and stick with those. To bad powder is practically impossible to find. Thanks to you all for taking the time to reply.... nixpap

[gpidaho]

I shot some 10gr Blue Dot 158 SWCs in a Ruger LCR a couple were enough! Shot the rest in a 357 Handi. GP

[triggerhappy243]

I can miss just as easily with a hot load as i could with a wimpy load.

[Bullwolf]

I'm going to call or e-mail the powder manufacturer and see what they say. also, buy a bullet puller (recommendations?)I should have one anyway. I'll try the 10 grainers though. At least a couple.And most important ,I DO NEED to start at the starting loads and work my way up. The correct way. Can't be lazy in this endeavour. What stinks is that the closest range that i can shoot lead and or magnums is over 1/2 an hour away. So every time I need to shoot a new load it's a big hassle.I suppose i can just load about 10 of each in my sequence and stop at the desired load and ugg,pull the rest. My goal is to have a nice suppl of plinkers (which is easy) and a very nice stash of thumpers and stick with those. To bad powder is practically impossible to find. Thanks to you all for taking the time to reply.... nixpap

I'm fond of using Kinetic type boolit pullers.

I lean towards the RCBS puller, (for the warranty) or the Quinetics brand one, or the Frankford Arsenal one on the cheap. I have had decent results with those three at least.

If you use one long enough or if you're really rough on it, you will manage to eventually break one. In general they are pretty hardy and last a long time when not abused.

I like to smack mine on a lead ingot, or a block of hard wood. I did manage to eventually break one by hitting it on concrete repeatedly while pulling down a large lot of suspect old military ammunition.

http://www.hinterlandoutfitters.com/images/2010/accessories-three/medium/64836.jpg

http://www.biggamehunt.net/graphics/photos_talltales/a_voth_hammer4.jpg

Another neat trick is to put a foam earplug in the bottom of the puller.

http://www.safetyexpress.com/images/product/EAR312-1201.jpg

That way you don't damage pulled boolits from impact, and can recover all of your components. Some of the higher end pullers already come with a pad of some sort in the end.

You can also use a shell holder with most kinetic pullers if you happen lose the provided collet, or break the O-ring that many use to hold the collet pieces together with.

http://gswagner.com/bigreloading/pullers/kinetic2.jpg


Here's a link to Titan Reloading (one of our site sponsors) with a nice little write up on the Quinetics brand inertia puller.

http://www.titanreloading.com/kinetic-bullet-puller/ultimate-kinetic-bullet-puller


Whatever brand you do decide to go with, it will likely serve you well.


- Bullwolf

[waltherboy4040]

Linemans pliers work perfect if they are lead. Just remelt them.

[Bullwolf]

Linemans pliers work perfect if they are lead. Just remelt them.

Or if you want to go that route, and don't care about damage to the boolits...
You can just use vice grips, and a short piece of pipe.

Image originally posted by Cast Boolits member P.K. (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/member.php?13168-P-K) from "The 1.99 Bullet Puller" thread. http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?132250-The-1-99-Bullet-Puller

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h316/IrishEKU/100_1247.jpg


I often pull factory ammo down for one reason or another, and re-use the components. For that I really like a kinetic puller. I've also used the vice grip and remelt em approach a few times as well.



- Bullwolf

[Pinsnscrews]

You know that the shell holder from your press fits the kinetic pullers right? +1 on the foam ear plugs as a cushion. I just use the floor, 1 layer of carpet, 1 layer of premium carpet pad, and concrete slab.

[wbrco]

I shot some 10gr Blue Dot 158 SWCs in a Ruger LCR a couple were enough! Shot the rest in a 357 Handi. GP
Agreed, full magnum round s in my 3" sp101 are very uncomfortable to shoot, particularly with stock grips.

[nixpap]

found this load on handloads.com. cant remember where i got the 10.5 load from. im just gonna pullem and not worry.

LSWC
10.3 gr
Blue Dot
1,490 fps
1.58"
Fed 200
Alliant


Suggested starting load: 9.3 gr
Pressure: 33,600

[Wayne Smith]

For your own piece of mind that's wised. I've been loading that round for years and I would shoot them in my .357's just to avoid pulling them. I would NOT shoot that in my 1956 Colt Agent!