Hello everyone!
I am looking to make some very gentle loads, for my disabled FIL. As he says, he’s not done yet.
The issue at hand, is his wrists. Very weak and extremely painful.
He has a Ruger SP101 4” in .357 mag, which he runs .38 spl. The first thing I did, was to get him a Hogue full sized rubber grip, to replace the stock stubby.
I then made up some Lee TL358-158-SWC over 3.1 grs ( suggested start ) of HP-38. He has been enjoying these loads, but I know I can do better… maybe.
He is coming for a family visit, in 2 weeks and I would like to have some even better rounds, for him.
Due to my circumstances , I am limited to the HP-38 ( same as w-231 ) and the molds that I have.
I have the Lee TL358-158-SWC and will have Lee 356-120-TC ( for 9mm) and Lee TL356-95-RF (for .380 ) hopefully today or tomorrow.
If I stay with the 358-158 , is it ever really safe to dip below the suggested starting load? This is a situation where he will visit, I’ll give him the rounds, he will go back home, and try them. I can’t have him squibbing, especially if I’m not there “to make sure”.
Is there any load combo that I can use with either of the 356 molds, that would give him more confidence, and comfort ?
I do powder coat my boolits, and on these special applications, I could apply multiple coats… as I would still run them thru .358 sizer.
The Lyman Cast Boolit Handbook has a 120gr Lyman 356242 listed with a suggested starting load of 3.4 grs of 231. And they have a 90 gr Lyman 356242 ( possible misprint for these two molds ? ) listed with a starting suggested load of 3.5 grs of 231. They also have a 105 gr Lee 358-105-SWC listed, with a suggested starting load of 4.2 grs of 231.
What would be my absolute safest, fail safe, most lightest comfortable combination ?
Thank you all, for your time, and help!
Edit: This man survived combat in Vietnam, survived prostate cancer, survived Leukemia (confirmed agent orange exposure) still battling GvHD from marrow transplants, and he gave me his daughter’s hand in marriage. There is NO WAY in hell, that I am just going to watch him give up something that he enjoys, so much.