Your opinion please.

[Ben]

I own a factory Lyman 358318 HP that I bought , and / or traded K Hornet out of MANY years ago.

The bullet is super accurate out of my many .35 cal. rifles.
The problem for me is the HP pin is so long that it makes for a " flying bomb". I'm giving some thought to shortening the HP pin.

My cousin and I were hunting a few years ago and he ( using a 358 Win) shot a nice buck in the front shoulder and the 358318 HP bullet angled and came out the neck.

It literally decapitated the deer. The bullet is VERY explosive as it is today.

Here is a photo of the bullet mould. After you've looked at the photos, share your thoughts please.

I think you can see my concerns below:

The possibilities for me are " A, B , C "

 

[Rick]

My suggestion would be to keep the pin you have and pack it off to Erik and tell him what you would like. He'll make another pin that fits the mold perfectly. Or you could even splurge and have a few different pins made to experiment with.

 

[Ben]

Now....... that is a very good idea Rick.
That is the beauty of this forum.
It is like having 60 people with you that you can share your thoughts / or questions with.
WOW !.......................What a great forum.

Thanks,
Ben

 

[KHornet]

I would go with Ricks suggestion Ben. That mold was super
accurate in the 358 that I foolishly traded off, but never hunted
it. We traded probably well over 10 years ago. Time flys!

Paul

 

[Ben]

Time certainly does fly Paul ! !

Ben

 

[Eutectic]

My suggestion would be to keep the pin you have and pack it off to Erik and tell him what you would like. He'll make another pin that fits the mold perfectly. Or you could even splurge and have a few different pins made to experiment with.

What Rick says! You could even shoulder the pin at the nose and make a smaller diameter as well as less depth for big game.

That original would sure be a dandy wolf load though....

Pete

 

[fiver]

I am not a hollow point fan.
a cup point or very, very shallow hollow point to help expansion is as much as I would ever recommend.

 

[Ben]

I'm tempted to make a new HP pin (s) here in my shop.
I checked Erik Ohlen's web site.
$50 for a single new HP pin.
While I'm one of Erik's biggest fans, that $50 vs. a little bit of shop time here makes me think that I could possible make a new pin locally.

We'll see................? ?

 

[James Nicholson]

Rick's idea is the best, but if I was forced to cut it, I would go with "C" first and leave the opportunity to cut more later if required.

 

[KHornet]

Ben, sometime back, I had a factory HP 35, with a long pin.
I just ground it off about half the length, and hit the end
with emery cloth. Works fine.

Paul

 

[uncle jimbo]

I'm tempted to make a new HP pin (s) here in my shop.
I checked Erik Ohlen's web site.
$50 for a single new HP pin.
While I'm one of Erik's biggest fans, that $50 vs. a little bit of shop time here makes me think that I could possible make a new pin locally.

We'll see................? ?

This sounds like more fun. Making one and trying it out is better than buying one and finding you don't like it. and having to buy another one or abandoning the project. And if you find it is something you like doing, you might start doing this to all your HPs.

 

[Rick]

But I agree, that pin is insane deep in the bullet.

 

[Ian]

If done right, like Erik does, $50 for the service is a real bargain.

I agree, DFIU in the first place, make a new spud. Brass rod worked great for me in the past.

 

[gman]

From the choices you showed in the picture I would go with "c". Do like Fivers suggestion of a cup point just to aid in expansion. I would think the speed at which you plan to launch these bullets would dictate how deep you would need that cavity. I'm always amazed at how many of these older molds you have Ben. Knowing you, you'll get it done right!

 

[Ben]

Thanks,

I don't plan to let up on this project until I'm where I want to be.

Ben

 

[JonB]

I am surely no HP expert...and I'll add, I have come to dislike HP on cast bullets.
with that said,
I've seen your work that you've posted over the years, you seem more than capable of making a new HP pin...and as Ian recommends, use brass.
I'd make it short, like option C
that's my 2¢

 

[35 Whelen]

Not sure from the photos Ben...but if that pin is held in place with a set screw...could you not flip it and just make a small cup point out of the other end? You would already have the correct diameter rod to do the work. Or as suggested simply shorten that long pin to what you want.

 

[Ben]

All of you have great opinions and ideas.
Thanks for taking the time to contribute.

Ben

 

[JWFilips]

Ben,
I find it very easy to make hp pins. If you measure you main shaft dia. You can locate a drill bit wit the same size ( usually)
I cut the shaft of the bit off chuck it into my drill press and then shape a new one with files then Emory cloth
Can turn them out relatively fast

 

[freebullet]

Big fan of hp's myself, when used properly they work splendid

Wouldnt want to mod that original pin. B would be about my preference for deer, I bet you can make one.

Funny though, at the end of the day if you shoot a shoulder it will be hamburger, don't much matter. The doe I took in jan with the maxi50370 didn't have a hp & it stole a nice chunk of meat because I hit 2" forward of where I intended, not the semi-pointy maxi's fault, it was mine. Spot & stalk hunt with no rest...it happens.