38 SWC hollowpoint diameter

[fps_bill]

I have a Lee 358-158-SWC mold that I'd like to give a go hollow pointing. My question is what is a good diameter for the hollow point cavity? I eventually plan on casting some very soft gas checked hollow point boolits much like the boolits buffalo bore uses in their +P defensive 38 loading.

Thank you in advance.

[Outpost75]

My HP bullets have a conical cavity which is 0.6 of the meplat diameter with a 15 degree draft angle and work well in .38 Special +P loads when cast of 1:30 tin/lead.132055

[Ben]

A few years ago, I sent Buckshot my Lyman single cav. 357446 for hollow pointing. As usual , Buckshot's work was beyond my expectations.


Rick made me 2 pins of different diameters for the hollow point portion of the mold.


I specified a .160 pin as I felt that for 38 Spec. velocities from my experience that .160 would offer some real impressive expansion at 900 fps.


He also sent me a pin of smaller configuration that seems to be just about ideal for the 1,200 - 1,300 fps range in the 357 Mag.


In the 1st 2 photos , the mold is sooted with a butane lighter.


With gas check prices continuing to climb, I'm hoping that this mold will do " double duty ", casting bullets for my Officer's Model Match , 38 Spec, and my Smith , Model 19, 4 " loaded in 357 Mag. brass.


Photos below :


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/357446/PICT0002-1.jpg






http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/357446/PICT0003.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/357446/PICT0008.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/357446/PICT0010.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/357446/PICT0004.jpg


Here is the bullet in solid form, lubed, sized and ready to shoot :


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/357446/PICT0005.jpg

[Petrol & Powder]

Thank you for those photos!

[Ben]

What is it that they say.....A picture is worth.........................

[fps_bill]

Thank you so much for the pictures Ben. That .160 pin looks nasty. Any pictures of them opened up?

I'd give you rep if I knew how to.

[Ben]

I don't know if I can put my hands on photos right now, but they look about the size of a quarter when they come to a stop.

[GP100man]

Buckshot has done a couple for me in the std mag configuration , I think 1/8th" pin dia & I find expansion control with alloy to be very predictable , as long as I have my std base alloy of iso container.

[Doggonekid]

Thanks a lot Ben you just put another thing on my list to get to save me money. Those HP look fantastic. I want to make some too!

[bhn22]

132092
Interestingly enough, my 358156HP has a larger diameter (.153) hollowpoint pin than my 358439 (.140) does. I know the Keith mould has the factory size pin, but I believe the 358156HP was originally a std mould that had been converted by Erik at HPMS. When my tax money returns to me, one planned item is to send my spare 358156 2 cavity mould to Erik for conversion too. Other good reading on the subject comes from Glen Fryxell, courtesy of CBRicks website:
http://www.lasc.us/Fryxell38KeithHP358439.htm
http://www.lasc.us/FryxellCastHollowPoints.htm
http://www.lasc.us/Fryxell_Book_Contents.htm

[MT Gianni]

My original 358439 had a 0.155" diameter. If your are an Elmer disciple that is all you need to know.

[bhn22]

Hmmm... this is yet another occasion for me to question the readings from my calipers. I had some issues with bullet sizing dies a little while back too.

More money...

[Ben]

There are very few calipers that I really trust.

A good micrometer is another story entirely.

Ben

[bhn22]

Good point. I should know better.

[Ben]

You won't be the 1st or the last to walk down that road...........

Buy 3 sets of cheap dial calipers , hurt a little bit several times $ $.

Buy one quality micrometer and hurt once $ $.

[bhn22]

Mine are pro-grade Starrett. Expensive in their day.