My mould is driving me nuts

[Rex]

I'm buying a mould from RBHarter, we'll see how that goes it's sure worth a try. His 477 mould has got to be better than my old one was.

 

[fiver]

when you get one that works you'll like the design, it shoots very,very good.

 

[Bret4207]

I think the last brand new Lyman I got was a 268...645 maybe? It was a short run from back when the Swedes were hitting the market, about 140-150ish grs with the centering ring on the nose, ring any bells? I got the very last one a reloading outfit had, GAR I think. Can't recall measurements, but I do recall it seemed to drop nice bullets. Don't think I've ever fired a single one! That had to be around 2000 or a couple years after.

 

[Mitty38]

When you get those from fiver.
I found that mine ran between, . 359 and 362. Also found the hard way to size them to .359 or.360 first then to .358 if that is your pleasure. Most of them will size back into round, and be straight. I had about 5 percent un usable.
It is the best shooter for standard velocity. 38 special +p loads I have found this far.

 

[fiver]

wow!
I need to really re-visit that mold if it's pouring that much off.
maybe that's why I got it cheap, it was one of those please take this mold off my hands for $35?? deals.
I know it wasn't cause I needed it to replace the 2 cavity I already have.

 

[CZ93X62]

#358477 is a GREAT 38 Special bullet, both in SV and +P flavors. Jackrabbits HATE IT, and ground squirrels say hard things about the design in some detail.

 

[Rex]

How are you fellows loading it in a .357 mid-range? Think I'll try 6 grains Unique when mine arrives or 5.5 HP38.

 

[Bret4207]

#358477 is a GREAT 38 Special bullet, both in SV and +P flavors. Jackrabbits HATE IT, and ground squirrels say hard things about the design in some detail.

I was thinking if Fivers casts north of .360 it might work for the 38SW. I have a 358430 (?) 200 gr but it's only dropping just barely .360. I was hoping for .361-ish.

Actually, now that I think on it, the Perfected has absolutely LOUSY sights and I'm pretty much blind. This is the one I need- http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-antiques/563493-finally-found-38-perfected-target-almost.html I know there's no freakin' way I'd butcher up my Perfected like that as it's pretty minty. Sure would like to find an extra top latch and rig a slip/glue on skeleton front Patridge. The old timers claim the 38 S+W was right with the 38 Spec in a decent gun.

 

[Mitty38]

I have found a couple sweat spots. for my 6 inch medium frame .357.
One is in a 38 spcl case with 4 grains.
The other is still in a 38 special but more of a plus p load at 4.8 grain.
The last is in a .357 case with 6.0. All with H-Universal.
My favorite for target is the first.

 

[Rex]

Mitty, does Universal actually burn cleaner than Unique? I've never used it.

 

[Ian]

It does for me, significantly. Does it matter? Totally subjective.

 

[Brad]

If you ever have a problem causing mold call Freebullet. He ain’t much with a mould but he is killer on mold

 

[freebullet]

I assure you I'm well versed at killing them all. Either spelling works for me, even mowld.

 

[Mitty38]

Mitty, does Universal actually burn cleaner than Unique? I've never used it.

I have not had that much Unique to play with. With what I have tried it seams Universal is a slight bit cleaner at lower velocities.
May I note that although, people say they are the same. Once I hit magnum levels, I have had the experience of Unique taking about 3 % less powder and favoring a little tighter OAL, and maybe even burning cleaner than the Universal.
However mind you these opinions come with a very limited amount of use with the Unique, while tying to clone some of my Universal loads.
Only reason I chose H-Universal over Unique, is that I can grab a jug, off the shelf, down the street as compared to driving miles, or mail ordering.

 

[Cherokee]

358477 @ .358 over 3.5 gr of 231/HP38 is a standard 38 Special load for light load use. It does 825 fps from 6" Colt Model 357 Magnum (pre-Python) and shoot well from all my 38/357 revolvers. For 357 cases I like 5 to 6 gr 231, 6 gr hit 1190 fps from 8" Python & 5.1 gr hit 1000 fps.

 

[Rex]

Thanks fellows, I've got a lot of 357 cases so I just switched to them. Funny thing, the face of the cylinder stays a lot cleaner using the 357 case as opposed to 38 special.

 

[CZ93X62]

I don't think I have ever loaded a #358477 into a 357 Magnum casing. The true Magnums get mostly #358156, my 950-1000 FPS loads use #358429. #358477 has been my most-used 38 Special bullet for almost 40 years, and my newer NOE version drops them at almost .362" in 92/6/2 alloy, which works well in 38 S&W at .359" in my Colt Police Positive and at .361" in my S&W Regulation Police (both 4" barrels). Run to 700 FPS, they print where the sights look and group VERY nicely.

 

[Cherokee]

Using 357 cases will also keep your 357 cylinders a little cleaner and avoid the crud that builds up from the shorter 38 cases.

 

[CZ93X62]

Using 357 cases will also keep your 357 cylinders a little cleaner and avoid the crud that builds up from the shorter 38 cases.

Yessir--I have gotten away from the shorter case/longer chamber scenario almost entirely.

 

[Rex]

CZ, I also load the 358429 over 6 grains Unique in 357 cases. From my 4" 686 I'd guess I'm getting over 900 but less than 1000.
6.5 grains gave me right at 1000 from my revolver over my chrony.