43rd Lyman manual question

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Last Post 23 May 2023
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Standard Member

2frogs posted this 01 January 2023

Question for you with more knowledge... I'm about to load some 200 gr. Cast bullets in 38 special.. my manual calls for a starting load of 2 grs. Of unique powder. .4.3 max. Does this sound right to guy guys. Just seem odd to me.... appreciate your thoughts..john

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Standard Member

oscarflytyer posted this 01 January 2023

My Lyman 45th shows 3.0 - 4.1 for a 195 grn lead. Accuracy load is 3.6 and factory dup is 3.8. I am seeing 3.4-3.6 on Load Data. And Venturino, in HL #284, lists a 202 gr at 3.8.

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CBA Regional Director

MarkinEllensburg posted this 01 January 2023

My guess is that when #43 was written there were still folks that had gallery ranges in their basements. A low charge just has to move the bullet out the barrel plus a little bit for a very short range 15-20 feet target. A 200 grain bullet though doesn't make sense to me, a 158 gr. would make more sense. Like I say this is a guess. I'll look and see if I have any older manuals than #43. I think I declined adopting them from my dad's estate....

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CBA Member

358156hp posted this 01 January 2023

SAAMI pressures are still like 17,500 PSI/15,000 CUP. It doesn't take much powder to hit that level with a 200 gr bullet.

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Admin Admin

JeffinNZ posted this 01 January 2023

Ed Harris has done a lot with the .38/200 load.

38/200 load data (castbulletassoc.org)

Cheers from New Zealand

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CBA Member

Fitzpatrick posted this 02 January 2023

I have been using 5 gr. of unique pushing a 200 gr. powder coated bullet , using 38 special case in a 357 mag pistol the loaded rounds are too long for a 38 special pistol , but they shot great and no signs of pressure in my pistols which are ruger gp-100 and S&W 686-6 but that not to say about your I would sure start low and work up as always.

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CBA Member

358156hp posted this 02 January 2023

I also looked at 38-44 data, but didn't see anything for 200 gr.

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CBA Member

Bill2728 posted this 21 January 2023

Lee manual shows start grains: 3.4gr and max 3.6 for Unique.

38 Spl +P start granis: 3.5 gr and max 3.7gr for Unique.

Niether my old Lyman manual nor the new Lyman manual reference a 200gr bullet

A bit of an editorial: The .38 Special 200-Grain 'Police Load' - Shooting Times

WOW! 43! and I thought my old dog-eared 45 was old! For what its worth, It doesn't have a 200 in it either. Heaviest is 195

Just checked my RCBS Cast Bullet Manual, no help there either

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CBA Member

lotech posted this 21 January 2023

The cover is no longer on mine, but I think it's #46; probably bought it in the '70s. It has 200 grain data, but it seems some of the powders are obsolete. I think #44 and #45 have such data also but I'd have to check to be sure. These old manuals may not be too hard to find.