av8usn
Member
Looking for suggestions for 158 grain lead RN reloads. Using W231 and C.O.A.L. of 1.475". Curious what you may use.
158 Grain Lead Bullet Reloads
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rcmodel
Member in memoriam
What kind of bullets do you have, and where did you get the 1.475" OAL length from?
The only 158 grain LRN bullets I know of that will load that long are Hornady swaged LRN.
Hornady lists a starting load with WW231 of 3.6 grains, and a MAX load of 4.2.
Cast bullets will have a crimp groove, and will load shorter then that depending on the location of the crimp groove.
Lyman #358311 cast LRN for instance will load to 1.550" when crimped in the crimp groove.
They list a starting load of 3.5 grains, and a MAX load of 4.9.
Do you have a reloading manual that lists lead bullet loads?
rc
The only 158 grain LRN bullets I know of that will load that long are Hornady swaged LRN.
Hornady lists a starting load with WW231 of 3.6 grains, and a MAX load of 4.2.
Cast bullets will have a crimp groove, and will load shorter then that depending on the location of the crimp groove.
Lyman #358311 cast LRN for instance will load to 1.550" when crimped in the crimp groove.
They list a starting load of 3.5 grains, and a MAX load of 4.9.
Do you have a reloading manual that lists lead bullet loads?
rc
BADUNAME37
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Like rcmodel stated, I think you need to fill us in on more information and details, as the way your post reads now, the possibilities are nearly ENDLESS! 
av8usn
Member
I got the 1.475" O.A.L. length from the Lee Precision reloading guide for .38 Special. It was a bit longer than the Bullseye recommended length of 1.42".
Also the Hogdon reloading guide recommended an O.A.L. of 1.475" with W231 and 158 gr LSWC.
I am leading Black Bullets.
Also the Hogdon reloading guide recommended an O.A.L. of 1.475" with W231 and 158 gr LSWC.
I am leading Black Bullets.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Lee uses generic data gleaned form a multitude of powder and bullet manufactures data.
If you noticed, Lee didn't even tell you what type of 158 grain lead bullet they were talking about.
Was it a Hornady swaged LRN?
Or a Speer Swaged SWC?
Or a Lyman cast LRN or LSWC bullet?
Nobody has a clue what bullet they are talking about because they don't tell you.
Hodgdon says 1.475" with a "158 gr. Cast LSWC", and you apparently are trying to load a 158 grain LRN bullet.
And notice Hodgdon didn't actually identify what bullet mold number their LSWC bullet was from either.
Again meaningless OAL data without knowing exactly what bullet they are talking about, which they don't say.
When looking at load data, the devil is in the details!
And you have to pay close attention to the details when it comes to bullet type.
Anyway, your bullets surely have a crimp groove molded into them.
Seat to the crimp groove, and crimp them there.
Whatever the OAL turns out to be, is what it is.
Unlike a auto-pistol bullets that are not roll-crimped, and have no set crimp groove location, a revolver bullet has to be seated to the crimp groove.
Regardless of what somebody said the correct OAL should be for a mystery bullet in a book.
rc
If you noticed, Lee didn't even tell you what type of 158 grain lead bullet they were talking about.
Was it a Hornady swaged LRN?
Or a Speer Swaged SWC?
Or a Lyman cast LRN or LSWC bullet?
Nobody has a clue what bullet they are talking about because they don't tell you.
Hodgdon says 1.475" with a "158 gr. Cast LSWC", and you apparently are trying to load a 158 grain LRN bullet.
And notice Hodgdon didn't actually identify what bullet mold number their LSWC bullet was from either.
Again meaningless OAL data without knowing exactly what bullet they are talking about, which they don't say.
When looking at load data, the devil is in the details!
And you have to pay close attention to the details when it comes to bullet type.
Anyway, your bullets surely have a crimp groove molded into them.
Seat to the crimp groove, and crimp them there.
Whatever the OAL turns out to be, is what it is.
Unlike a auto-pistol bullets that are not roll-crimped, and have no set crimp groove location, a revolver bullet has to be seated to the crimp groove.
Regardless of what somebody said the correct OAL should be for a mystery bullet in a book.
rc
Last edited:
stb2wheels
Member
I have two boxes of 158 gr Hornady lead swaged bullets (LRN #10508 and SWC #10408). They have no cannelure - when reloading these for target shooting in a revolver, should they be crimped? If so, a taper crimp?
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Just a very light roll crimp to hold them in place against recoil.
Only just past enough to straighten out the case mouth bell.
You can crimp into the knurling slightly if necessary to get the correct 1.590" OAL listed by Hornady if necessary.
I believe you will find the crimp coming just about even with the end of the knurling though.
rc
Only just past enough to straighten out the case mouth bell.
You can crimp into the knurling slightly if necessary to get the correct 1.590" OAL listed by Hornady if necessary.
I believe you will find the crimp coming just about even with the end of the knurling though.
rc
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