Lee 2nd Edition Question

[Nipty]

So been loading and learning. I do have question on the Lee 2nd Edition book. It has a cast bullet section, has some rifle data. On the .380 auto pages it list a lead bullet load. That's cast I am assuming? Hate to just assume without confirmation.. got a copy a while back..first time opening it up..didn't want to read the whole book ,searching for the answer. Thank you

 

[AJC1]

Yes there are cast and swaged. I don't think you will find swaged in the rifle section

 

[Nipty]

Yeah, they had their own section. And the mathematical are to do figuring out load data for weight and density. But I just wanted to make sure in pistol data when it says lead they mean cast bullets. Since I bought a box and what like to try as many different powders as I can, so when something is available I know what I should try to keep buying instead of always working up new loads. Appreciate the Insight

 

[AJC1]

Yeah, they had their own section. And the mathematical are to do figuring out load data for weight and density. But I just wanted to make sure in pistol data when it says lead they mean cast bullets. Since I bought a box and what like to try as many different powders as I can, so when something is available I know what I should try to keep buying instead of always working up new loads. Appreciate the Insight

In pistol velocity is the best indicator. Velocity is usually slower for swaged than cast. In 38 I would expect 800 ish max and well below max pressure.

 

[Nipty]

I purchased some hsm cast bullets. I have had amazing accuracy from my .308 Mossberg with there ammo. So i was thinking there bullets ,cast or not should be the same. However unquie has been the only powder I had up until recently for loading them. Now I have some accurate #2, hp38 , win244, win231. So I would like to see what works for it. I am sure all can't be used. But 9mm n 40 s&w should have no issues with the rest

 

[mdi]

The only advice I can give, because I only have the 1st edition, is get a manual for the type of bullet you choose. The Lyman Reloading Handbook will cover both cast and jacketed. The Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook is kinda the "Bible" for cast bullet data/info. If you choose Hornady bullets, get a Hornady manual (Speer bullets, Speer manual, etc.). Many, many fewer headaches for newer reloaders...

I believe the Lee Manuals are a "one size fits all" kind of manual and there are many "holes" in the data and method the data is provided.

 

[Nipty]

I called them. I figured it was. But I hate to assume..especially with reloading..Iike to be safe. Yeah they had to transfer me to a tech. However he confirmed it. Having powder options to try out I think is important, because since I started this consuming passion , I never see the same powder twice in a store it seems.. Trying to stay versatile with bullets and powders.

 

[Buck13]

One thing to know that took me a little while to appreciate: The data in the Lee manual are a hodgepodge of data from multiple sources. I assume various powder and bullet companies gave Lee permission to re-publish their data. So, the velocities are not necessarily apples-to-apples comparisons. Some sources develop their data in a 10" pressure barrel, some in a 7" barrel, maybe even some in 4" barrel. There's no way of knowing which line in the table came from what length barrel, unless you go to the powder seller's website and look for the same data there and see what (if anything) they tell you about the barrel length.

So, while the fastest loads in a table will probably be pretty fast in a real gun, and the slowest pretty slow, you can't assume that the real-world velocities will line up in exactly the order you see them in the Lee manual, and your actual velocities will probably differ, usually lower.