LBT XS .357 GC cylinder throat fit and bullet weight question?

[HHI 812]

Veral,
I've read on several posts, that as long as a loaded round chambers easily, then bullet diameter is ok. My 4" 357 mag S&W 686 Customs Service I just got, will only allow .357" sized bullets to push through all throats. That XS 160 GC mold you made me, sized to .358", and seated in 357 mag cases, will easily chamber with no problems. Seems like the throat is tapered. Should I have to worry about dangerous higher pressures because of this taper? I recall you saying that the bigger diameter will usually shoot the most accurate. I normally don't worry about this in my bigger bores, but not sure what kind of pressures my smaller caliber gun can handle? Also, I know you built this mold for me for a 3" S&W 66F PC I use to have, but is this 160 grain weight still a good weight in my 1" longer barrel? Buddy trying to talk me into going 180 grain and even 200 grain bullets instead, but I just like this XS 160 grainer you made me. Would I be really gaining that much going to a 180 or 200 grainer in my 4" barrel?
Thanks,
Dennis

[Veral]

  I haven't sold many of the XS bullets, as it isn't listed in my catalog.  I'm glad you like it.  I think I told you I developed it for my own personal use in a 4 inch 38, to wring maximum kill power from the gun.  I shot it at 1100 fps, which is a bit over 38 +P loads though.

  The big concern about having ammo lead bullet ammo not chamber freely is not pressure but uncertain ignition.  This because the ctg rims not being in contact with the cylinder, hammer fall can be dampened as the bullets drive into the cylinder throats until the rim makes contact and offers enough resistence for the firing pin to indent.

  All cylinder throats are tapered as you surmize, but not enough for many of my bullets which have a long forward driving band.  You are safe shooting them as is, and may do well to size at 359, if the bullets fall from the mold large enough for that, and the loaded ammo still chambers easily.

  You won't get as fast of kills on anything at least up to deer by going to a heavier bullet in FN configuration.  The large flat on the XS will wound larger, aided by the 160 170 gr weight range that I make the XS in, which allows higher velocity.

XS stands for Extra Special.  That was the best name I could think of for a bullet that gives the special something extra.

[HHI 812]

Veral,
Just got one of Ruger's LCR revolvers http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-LCR2.htm
Was considering using the XS 160 grain GC bullet in this snub nose. How much do I really need to push it? Its rated for +P, but don't want to over loaded it? Suggestions? Doubt I can get the 1100 fps you got out of your 4" barrel.
Thanks,
Dennis

[Veral]

  Understand that I was getting 1100 fps with magnum pressures in 38 brass, in a S&W 38 that was the same frame as their 357 magnum.  Also, understand that I was doing it with a fairly fast buring powder. Hodgen Universal, which I really like because of the very low muzzle flash.  In fact just a few visable sparks out the muzzle with the load I used on a black night.

  Gas checks aren't needed to prevent leading, but if you get the mold cut for gas checks, it will add about 50 fps more speed to what a pb would produce at +P loading. and if a slower powder were used, 1100 fps would be real easy to obtain, staying within +P pressures.  But I don't know of any better powder with the low muzzle flash, and for my own personal use, I'd far prefer living with a velocity as low as even 800 fps and have a very low muzzle flash, for personal defense loads.  I believe that with pb and Universal, loaded lighter than I did to stay in +P pressures, that 900 fps is very realistic from your short tube.

[ND Sharpshooter]

HHI 812,

Be aware that at +p and +p+ velocities a 160 grain bullet's recoil will be quite vicious in your LCR.  I've found that standard factory 158 grain swc's are pleasant as well as accurate and my reloads of 140 grain SWC and 3.8 of WW-321 is on the upper end of pleasant, recoilwise, for me.  My wife's load of 3.2 with the 140 is very pleasant.  In either my GP-100 or my Colt Python both of these loads are very, very mild...and accurate but the 13 ounce LCR kicks sharply.  Just my observations after about 300 rounds thru my LCR.  Have fun with yours.

[HHI 812]

ND,
It does buck some, and I haven't shot anything hot yet. But then again, don't want to load it hot like I did a S&W PC 3" I had in the past, and reason I had Veral make my 160 XS mold. I figure I didn't buy it to load it hot. You like yours? I've shot mainly 148 WC reloads, doing quick close practicing. Just got it a week ago.
Thanks,
Dennis