Lyman 35891/358091 full wadcutter for 357mag

[oley55]

I have been contemplating the use of the Lyman 35891, 150gr wadcutter in 357mag. The numbering on these vary 358 91/35891/358091, but appear to be the same mold. My mold number appears as 358 91 and as cast is 146-147gr. Although discontinued, Midway lists the 358091 for 357mag use: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1010235131

However finding 357mag load data for full wadcutters is a bit scarce. Neither of my Lyman Reloading manuals (46th or 49th) list full wadcutters. I did find this: "The Complete Reloading Manual for the .357 Magnum", https://marvinstuart.com/firearm/Manuals/Reloading/Caliber%20Specific%20Load%20Data/Complete%20Reloading%20Manual%20for%20the%20357%20 Magnum.pdf. Page 45 provides load data for the Lyman 358495/141gr, pictured below.

Further searching found a thread where the difference between the two (358091/358495) seems to be the 091 has a beveled base vs the 495's flat base. http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?330035-Lyman-358495-vs-358091-loading-them-with-Unique-for-defense Unfortunately the discussion does not mention 357, so I assume they are talking 38spl, and difference in weights is not mentioned.

My wadcutters will be PC'd and pushed thru 2"-4" revolvers and possibly just for fun in a 24" Rossi R92 (but that's way down the road). Considering the powders listed from the Complete Reloading Manual for 357, I have 7#s of IMR4227 and only 1.2#s of Unique. Since I have the greatest quantity of IMR4227, I am inclined to start with it. Although I have not generally done well with IMR4227 in the past.

As for intended purpose; self defense and practice. I prefer my practice loads to closely match recoil and feel of actual use ammo.

Does anyone see an obvious reason the starting loads listed for the Lyman 358495 won't work for my 358091. Is 4227 a poor choice for short barreled revolvers? Also is the 5-6 grain bullet weight difference a consideration?

[USSR]

Does anyone see an obvious reason the starting loads listed for the Lyman 358495 won't work for my 358091. Is 4227 a poor choice for short barreled revolvers? Also is the 5-6 grain bullet weight difference a consideration?

As you noted, same bullet but with a beveled base, so load data is the same. Yes, 4227 is a poor choice. While fast burn rate powders are best (Bullseye, Red Dot, 700X, etc.), your Unique will work better than 4227.

Don

[45DUDE]

I have that 358495 flat base mold and my target load with 357 brass is 4.8 of bullseye. The starting load is often more accurate. 3.7 of bullseye in a 38 case with that boolit is more accurate in a wheel gun. The 4227 will work also but at twice the cost and no more accurate.<I have 4 bnwc molds>With that boolit I feel Unique on the low side would be the better choice of powders for being accurate. XXXX That is a very forgiving boolit. I have shot it every way but sideways. You can crimp it on the end and let the nose stick out or crimp in one of the grease rings or turn it around. That boolit doesn't care. I have seated it flush and backwards and used in a S&W 52 with 2.9 of Bullseye. I have bench shot a 4'' 10 shot group at 50 yards with it backwards with a pre model 6'' K frame. This is not a hbwc and speeding is legal other than a 38 simi auto. You have a good chart.

[JoeJames]

I have always used the standard NRA 38 Special load for 148 grain wad cutters - from the NRA Handloading Guide - 2.7 grains of Bullseye running an average of 734 fps in my 4" Model 67. The 357 magnum case ain't that much bigger, and as a starting load for it I would increase the NRA accepted load by not more than 10% which would be 2.97 grains rounded up to 3.0 grains of Bullseye. Just my own rule of thumb, and I still yet am in possession of both my thumbs.

[WRideout]

That mold was my only 38 WC for the last fifteen years. It did very well in 38 spl with target loads in my K frame S&W revolver. I don't completely see the need to shoot them out of 357 Mag brass, but to each his own. I have rolled up some 35891 in the mag brass just for grins, and found them to be quite accurate. You can use just about any load for a 150 gr boolit; working up slowly as per the usual caution. Light charges of Unique don't get complete combustion, and can be very dirty. Red Dot/Promo, or even Green Dot might be better choices. For use in a 2" snubbie, recoil can be punishing if they are loaded to high velocity.

Wayne

[facetious]

278857
278858
some old data

[jonp]

Old manual I have lists 2.7-3.0gr BE for a 150gr WC to use in target loads.

[Thumbcocker]

I shot a boatload of 358429's over 4.9 of 231 in magnum brass. That is a max .38 special load and was also listed as a potentially most accurate load. Did quiete a number on a opossum in the hen house one night. Shot very well in a model 27.