lyman 31108 vs Winchester 32WCF bullets

[ndnchf]

I've got a couple 32-20 rifles, a M1889 Marlin and a #2 Remington rolling block. So far the Lyman 311008 bullet has been very accurate and I've been quite happy with it. But I've been wanting to try bullets from an original 1800s vintage Winchester mold. I recently acquired a nice single cavity Winchester 4th model mold. So today I cast some bullets with it using 96/3/1. Here is the comparison:


Winchester 32WCF bullet (on left)
Weight - 116.1gr, diameter. 314", height -. 616"

Lyman 311008 bullet (on right):
Weight - 115.6gr, diameter. 3125", height. 640"

I weighed each bullet with and without lube. To my surprise they both carried .4 gr of lube. I expected the winchester bullet to carry more. The grooves appear wider, but must not be as deep.

I hope to get to the range in the next week or so to see how the two compare.

[runfiverun]

I'd just lube the bottom groove.

[JeffinNZ]

I'd just lube the bottom groove.

Yeap, me too.

I borrowed a 31133 which is the hollow point version of the original 3118. Great bullet. Shot flat out it is very convincing on hares.

[ndnchf]

So you think 2 grooves full is overkill? I'm shooting in a 28" barrel.

[JeffinNZ]

Try it and see. Let the rifle decide.

[Green Frog]

I have both of those moulds as well although I got the Winchester mould on fleaBay a while back and haven't taken the time to clean it up and try casting with it. My NOE 5-cavity is supposed to be a copy of the same design but runs about 125 gr w/ COWWs and a little tin... it has become my favorite for my 327 Federal Magnum guns and I intend to try it in my Uberti 32-20 SAA, so the Winchester mould may end up a display piece! ;-) I've gone a little wild buying .311-.314" moulds since I got on my 327 FM kick and find myself with an bewildering array of good choices. :roll:

Regards,
Froggie

[Outpost75]

In my .32 S&W Long rook rifle I have been tumble lubing as-cast and unsized .314" bullets all over with a thin coating of diluted Lee Liquid Alox, just enough to turn the bullets a uniform brassy color. I don't worry about filling the grooves. Velocity from my 25" barrel is about 1200 fps, similar to the .32-20, accuracy is great and I have no leading. Alloy is 1:30 tin/lead from Roto Metals.

[ndnchf]

I hadn't thought about tumble lubing them. But I have several bottles of Lee Alox. I'll try a few.

One thing I'll add is that the 100+ year old Winchester mold was a joy to use. After pre-heating on a hotplate, I was getting good bullets after about 5 pours. Bullets just dropped right out, very few hung up at all. For a mold with no vent lines or alignment pins, it just works great. It is a quality made mold.

[JeffinNZ]

Green frog: I have a 5 cavity NOE 314008 also. Shoots much better than the 311008 used to.