Lyman .38 mold

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  • Last Post 14 May 2016
JPnewhampshire posted this 28 April 2016

I borrowed a mold to cast some 38 special bullets pryor to ordering one. I cast 100 with the Lyman single cav # 715 mold ---nice little 125 gr RN --but it is casting at about .360-.361 ?? is this normal for wheel weight bullets ?? can I load and fire a few prior to getting a .358 sizing die //??  Perry

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Brodie posted this 29 April 2016

Go ahead and lube em and load em.  They'll probably shoot better than .358 bullets, and yes it is very normal.  Casst bullet diameter can be varied by how hot the mold is when the casting is made, how much tin is in the alloy, and for all I know the phase of the Moon.  If the cylinders are larger diameter than the bore of the revolver they'll more than likely shoot great.  Don't worry too much about a couple of thousands of inch diameter.  Lead is very  malleable  and will size down to fit the cylinder throat easily.  Brodie

B.E.Brickey

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358156hp posted this 29 April 2016

It would be perfectly normal for any .358 mould to drop bullets at .360-.361, depending on exact alloy content.

The big question will be “will a loaded cartridge chamber in your gun with that unsized bullet".

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Pigslayer posted this 29 April 2016

Check your groove diameter & size .002” bigger. Check your cylinder throats too. I have a Taurus .38 special snubby & I size to .360” in all my .38 bullets. They shoot goooooooood!

If someone else had of done to me what I did to myself . . . I'd have killed him. Humility is an asset. Heh - heh.

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JPnewhampshire posted this 08 May 2016

I cast another 125 bullets from the Lyman mold (#358242) and rechecked wgt at 129.2 to 129.4 the Dia holds at .361-.364 I have a .358 sizer coming// I,ll size 1/2 and not other and see if they shoot dif. Perry

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onondaga posted this 10 May 2016

http://www.castbulletassoc.org/view_user.php?id=9530>JPnewhampshire

The largest diameter that will chamber has the highest accuracy potential. Did you not know this?

If your “as cast” bullets chamber, then sizing them smaller will make them shoot worse.

Gary

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Hamish posted this 10 May 2016

onondaga wrote: http://www.castbulletassoc.org/view_user.php?id=9530>JPnewhampshire

The largest diameter that will chamber has the highest accuracy potential. Did you not know this?

If your “as cast” bullets chamber, then sizing them smaller will make them shoot worse. Gary

Well, apparently he did not.  What was that catch phrase that Bill Engvall made famous a few years ago?

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onondaga posted this 10 May 2016

http://castbulletassoc.org/view_user.php?id=8417>TheAmishGolfballShooter

Bill Engvall ....   <*> I hit two trees and fell down a ditch. And that was just walking from the lodge.

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Hamish posted this 10 May 2016

That would be 100% incorrect.

Here's your sign Gary.

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45 2.1 posted this 10 May 2016

onondaga wrote: The largest diameter that will chamber has the highest accuracy potential. Did you not know this? That little tidbit is another internet half truth on accuracy potential. What size it needs to be depends on alloy constituents, hardness of those constituents you shoot them at and pressure it's subjected to. Each guy here tells us what to use, but not how to use it...... and that is what is needed....... how to use it. It seems there is not much use to tell someone here how to use something as they've already written in stone their way is the best and they know best.

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JPnewhampshire posted this 10 May 2016

Thanks 45 2.1 I know I don't know a lot about this but I was amazed at the comment. I have cast a bunch of the .356 120 gr and miked them at about .357 I was hopeing for .358 to load in the 38 as is O well the .361s seem to shoot good so I'll continue to use them-a .358 sizer is on the way //Perry

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R. Dupraz posted this 10 May 2016

Be happy!      You got a production mold that is a bit oversize. Then you can always adjust smaller by sizing if you need or want. Follow Old Coot's advice and you won't go wrong.      From an old has been pistolero

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JPnewhampshire posted this 10 May 2016

OK I have about 50 rounds cast at .360 ish - I just got the .358 sizer from UPS -- I'll size 1/2 and load all- see if I can see any diferance/// Shooting the little 3” is SOME different than my old Black Hawk 6 1/2"--I could shoot Woodchucks at 100 yds with it --I think they are safe at 30 yds with the 3". I'll let you know how it comes out. Perry

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bandmiller2 posted this 11 May 2016

JP, assuming you ordered a Lee 358 seizer die you can easily open them up if you want a little larger bullet. Even if I don't want to oversize them I always polish a new die with fine wet dry paper and end up with crocus cloth. If their smooth you can size bullets unlubed. Frank C.

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Ken Campbell Iowa posted this 11 May 2016

jp...

please do let us hear how your sizing adventure turns out .

we need all the results from actual shooting that we can get ..

after 50,000 years of combined experience with cast here in this group ...

we still have to preface our advice with ::

” my best guess is that.. “.... or ” one time i tried this and it .. ” ...

it's what makes casting bullets fun ...

my best guess is that shooting cast is usually fun ( g ) ...

ken

ps:: i have been working for 30 years to create a little billfold card with the top 6 rules for success with cast bullets .... uh.. 31 ...32....

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JPnewhampshire posted this 11 May 2016

OK I fired off the 50+ rounds 1/2 sized 1/2 not but the problem is I and the little 3” are not good enough to best a 6” group at 20 yds-so I cant say which is better//// someone with a 6 1/2” shooting 2” groups is needed to prove the point-- I was careful to try and feel any dif. in recoil or noise-- no dif. // the load of about 3.8 gr auto comp shoots the little 128 gr very nicely --little recoil- I,m gonna get some tight Group tomorrow from a friend and try that// Perry

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JPnewhampshire posted this 14 May 2016

Hi All: Here is the results of testing --- sized vs unsized 38s in my 3” LCRX

I would say little to no difference at 15 yds thru a 3 “ bbl.

http://s1293.photobucket.com/user/jpteele2/media/CIMG6308_zpsqwlurkyv.jpg.html>

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R. Dupraz posted this 14 May 2016

Nice going JPnewhampshire.        I agree by looking at your targets that there is probably not a nickel's worth of difference between the two. But it is still fun to shoot them again to find out.          These little beasties are difficult to shoot anyway but can be amazingly accurate for what they are and within their capabilities. An added payoff is finding something that will shoot close to the point of aim.         I know of one S&W hamerless airweight 2 1/2 .38 special that will put them right in there at 20 yds. Plenty good enough for the job that it was designed to do.

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JPnewhampshire posted this 14 May 2016

Thanks RD it is fun to get back into loading// I started it as a winter project and here we are// I need to pick up a lg pie pan and then lube a bunch of slugs-also ran out of primers so gotta get on it. I think another 2-300 rounds thru the LCRx and i'll feel good with it// I even got wifee to shoot her LCR22 mag today// We need a lot of practice// Perry

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