Is a load reduction necessary?

[Jim22]

Hi,

I just cast up a couple hundred 200 grain Lee .358 Gas Check boolits from straight clip on wheel weights. The first bunch I cast were made from Lyman #2 alloy. They weighed a grain or two less than 200 grains. The COWW boolits weigh about 207 grains. So the change in alloy caused an increase of 8-9 grains. What do you think? Should I reduce powder charge with the heavier but softer alloy? I had no presssure signs - flattened primers, sticky extraction - with the harder boolits. Rifle is a Henry single shot in .357 MAX. Powder is Vihtavouri N110.

Jim

[parson48]

Sorry that this doesn't answer your question but, who reamed your Henry? I have one in .357 and am considering reaming to a maxi.

[Winger Ed.]

A 2-4% increase in weight with softer alloys is common, or more nearly hard to avoid.

I usually load a bit under max. and don't worry about it.
For modern cartridges- Even at the max. loadings you see in the books,
cast data is normally well under the pressures for jacketed ammo.

[Jim22]

Sorry that this doesn't answer your question but, who reamed your Henry? I have one in .357 and am considering reaming to a maxi.

It was David White in Oklahoma. He also did a superb trigger job on it.

https://www.dandtcustomgunworks.com/

Jim