hamour
01-29-2010, 04:13 PM
My first impression of the mold was "Damn what a fine piece of workmanship!"
It was well and securely wraped.
I prepared the mold per the easy to follow instructions and fired up the 20lb lee pot filled with Lyman #2 alloy.
At first I had sticking issues, but as the mold and pot reached operating temperatures the sticking went away and the bullets fell with shaking and occasional tapping of the handle pivot screw.
The # 2 alloy filled out beautifuly and soon I had an impressive pile of classic Keith SWC's waiting to be sized and loaded.
Durring my casting session I cooled the mold with a damp cloth every three cycles.
I also adjusted the lead temp down from 800F starting point until I was getting cold looking bullets (700F) , then heated back for good fill out with out frost. (735F to 745F)
If I cooled the mold too much with the damp towel I got sticky bullet problems.
I sized these bullets to .359 in my RCBS sizer using RCBS green lube (came with the machine)
Loads:
38 special = 4.2grs unique
38 special + P = 10grs 2400
38/44 = 11.5 grs 2400
.357 Mag = 11.5 - 12.5 - 13.0 grs 2400
Assorted cases and CCI SP standard primers.
Guns used:
S&W mod 28 x 6" BBL
S&W Mod 27 x 4" BBL
S&W Mod 27 x 6" BBL
S&W Mod 19 x 4" BBL
S&W L Frame x 4" BBL
Marlin 1894 Carbine 18" BBL
The 13.0 grs of 2400 caused sticky extraction in two revolvers, so was discontinued from testing.
12.5grs to 10 grs of 2400 worked great in all revolvers and the rifle. This bullet was extremely accurate from the revolvers and showed no signs of leading in them.
The bullets are to long in magnum cases for the N frames but worked great in the L & K frame guns.
The 11.5 and 10 gr loads in the .38 special cases were just as accurate. (Very)
The 4.2 grs of unique was ok but tripple the size of the hotter loads grouping. I was not happy with its performance. This bullet seems to like strong medium to maximum loads.
I settled on 11.5grs 2400 in the magnum cases and 10grs 2400 in the .38 special cases.
I was going to just use the 38 cases for my N frames at 11.5grs 2400 but since I ordered the NOE-360180 WFN GC mold at the same time, that is what fills my N frames now. (Same 11.5grs loading)
Hope the info is usefull.
Hank
It was well and securely wraped.
I prepared the mold per the easy to follow instructions and fired up the 20lb lee pot filled with Lyman #2 alloy.
At first I had sticking issues, but as the mold and pot reached operating temperatures the sticking went away and the bullets fell with shaking and occasional tapping of the handle pivot screw.
The # 2 alloy filled out beautifuly and soon I had an impressive pile of classic Keith SWC's waiting to be sized and loaded.
Durring my casting session I cooled the mold with a damp cloth every three cycles.
I also adjusted the lead temp down from 800F starting point until I was getting cold looking bullets (700F) , then heated back for good fill out with out frost. (735F to 745F)
If I cooled the mold too much with the damp towel I got sticky bullet problems.
I sized these bullets to .359 in my RCBS sizer using RCBS green lube (came with the machine)
Loads:
38 special = 4.2grs unique
38 special + P = 10grs 2400
38/44 = 11.5 grs 2400
.357 Mag = 11.5 - 12.5 - 13.0 grs 2400
Assorted cases and CCI SP standard primers.
Guns used:
S&W mod 28 x 6" BBL
S&W Mod 27 x 4" BBL
S&W Mod 27 x 6" BBL
S&W Mod 19 x 4" BBL
S&W L Frame x 4" BBL
Marlin 1894 Carbine 18" BBL
The 13.0 grs of 2400 caused sticky extraction in two revolvers, so was discontinued from testing.
12.5grs to 10 grs of 2400 worked great in all revolvers and the rifle. This bullet was extremely accurate from the revolvers and showed no signs of leading in them.
The bullets are to long in magnum cases for the N frames but worked great in the L & K frame guns.
The 11.5 and 10 gr loads in the .38 special cases were just as accurate. (Very)
The 4.2 grs of unique was ok but tripple the size of the hotter loads grouping. I was not happy with its performance. This bullet seems to like strong medium to maximum loads.
I settled on 11.5grs 2400 in the magnum cases and 10grs 2400 in the .38 special cases.
I was going to just use the 38 cases for my N frames at 11.5grs 2400 but since I ordered the NOE-360180 WFN GC mold at the same time, that is what fills my N frames now. (Same 11.5grs loading)
Hope the info is usefull.
Hank