Lyman reloading manual

[GH1]

I bought a lyman reloading manual, as I was looking for cast bullet info and heard that manual has more than any other.
Although there's many loads listed, I couldn't find one for my .357.  I shoot 158gr SWC and all Lyman has listed are 155 & 160.
What should I do?
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[kynardsj]

In a situation like that I load my 158's with whatever the manual says for a 160. With two grains of bullet weight to the lighter side you'll be fine.

[GH1]

Thanks for the tip.  Is that a rule of thumb for all similar scenarios?
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[stimpylu32]

GH1

Also in most cases you can get by using the Jacketed bullet data for Cast of the same weight , this does NOT apply going the other way with cast data .

The lead bullet will have less friction and create less pressure than a copper jacketed of the same weight .

stimpy

[kynardsj]

It is for me. As long as you're using data for a 160 grain cast bullet that says XX grains of XXX powder will push this bullet this fast with this much pressure and instead of a 160 you seat a 158 grain cast on it you'll be fine. I also use this rule of thumb in other calibers if my bullet is slightly lighter than the bullet/load listed.  

[Graybeard]

Lotsa misconceptions and just plain bad data float around the internet on data substitution with bullets.

There are several things to consider when substituting data for one bullet to be used with a different bullet. Weight and construction are a couple things but not the only things to take into consideration. You need also look at powder space in the case with bullet seated to crimp groove or cannelure.

You can get in trouble if loading to maximum levels with even a lighter bullet if that lighter bullet sets deeper into the case and impinges on case capacity. What I look at first in data substitution is how much of the bullet is below the cannelure or crimp groove on each bullet, then how much the bullets weight and lastly what material are the constructed of.

While it's generally true you can use data for a jacketed bullet for a lead bullet of equal or roughly equal weight it can also backfire on you if the lead bullet seats much deeper and takes up case capacity the jacketed bullet didn't. Same with the various cast bullets not all have the same amount of bullet inside the case. Bearing surface is yet another item that needs to be taken into consideration in this equation.

So while lots of generalities are tossed about in datat substitution you shouldn't over look other things than weight in making your load decisions.

[Lloyd Smale]

well said bill

Lotsa misconceptions and just plain bad data float around the internet on data substitution with bullets.

There are several things to consider when substituting data for one bullet to be used with a different bullet. Weight and construction are a couple things but not the only things to take into consideration. You need also look at powder space in the case with bullet seated to crimp groove or cannelure.

You can get in trouble if loading to maximum levels with even a lighter bullet if that lighter bullet sets deeper into the case and impinges on case capacity. What I look at first in data substitution is how much of the bullet is below the cannelure or crimp groove on each bullet, then how much the bullets weight and lastly what material are the constructed of.

While it's generally true you can use data for a jacketed bullet for a lead bullet of equal or roughly equal weight it can also backfire on you if the lead bullet seats much deeper and takes up case capacity the jacketed bullet didn't. Same with the various cast bullets not all have the same amount of bullet inside the case. Bearing surface is yet another item that needs to be taken into consideration in this equation.

So while lots of generalities are tossed about in datat substitution you shouldn't over look other things than weight in making your load decisions.

[mdi]

There is a Lyman 49th Edition Reloading Handbook and a Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook. The Cast Bullet Handbook also has a lot of good info on bullet casting along with load data and mine lists 155 SWC, 158 RN, and 168 SWC loads in 357.

[GH1]

 Well that sucks!
 I wrote Lyman's customer service dept and and asked them which book I should buy, after explaining my intentions. They recommended # 49.  Hmmm, maybe they didn't recommend the  cast book because I'm not planning on doing my own casting.  Still, it's odd that there wouldn't be the same data in both books.
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[Anduril]

Graybeard 'splained it so even I could understand it. 

another thing to consider with cast bullets is that a 35 caliber bullet can easily vary +/- 5 grains depending on the alloy it is made from.
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[Dezynco]

What Greybeard said holds true.  I've substituted some bullets of approximately the same weight, and powders of approximately the same burn weight, but BE CAUTIOUS and start at the low end of the scale.  I've worked up some excellent handloads using what I had on the shelf by being cautious and sensible.  Until you got some bench time under your belt, avoid extreme variations in bullet weight and length. 

If it looks a little "iffy", you might want to wait until you can gather up some other components that have been tested and proclaimed to be safe.

[skarke]

www.hodgdon.com

Look at the load data on their site.  Pretty good stuff, and supported by the powder manufacturers.

[GH1]

 I've been to the Hodgden site before and there some good info on it.  However, all their cast loads for .38/.357 have velocities listed at 1000 fps or below, and I know a hard cast bullet will handle more speed than that.  
 My last set of cast reloads were 125 gr traveling at around 1200 fps or so, & I had some leading after a couple of hundred rounds .  It wasn't bad, but I had to scrub quite a bit to get it all out.  Based on everything I've read on cast reloading, I'm going to try a litle more speed.  My current cast bullet have a hardness rating around 18. I've yet to slug my bore.  I don't know what that will do for me, because every cast bullet I've seen comes in .358 diameter.  So if .358 is too small there's not much I can do about it.
 Right now, I'm shooting 158 gr over 5.5 gr of Bullseye.  According to Alliant this will have me shooting around 1000 fps, according to my relaoding books it will be more.  I think in the future I'll try some 296 for the .357 & save the Bullseye for the .38 and .380ACP.  It seems to work well for those rounds.
 Perhaps there's a chrony in my future.
Thanks for all the responses everyone, this topic seems to have created quite a bit of interest.  Hopefully others have learned some things as well.
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[lee1954]

 The RCBS cast bullet manual  #1 has  357 rifles,,  5 cast bullets from 150gr to 180gr and about 6 powders for each...

[jlchucker]

Well that sucks!
 I wrote Lyman's customer service dept and and asked them which book I should buy, after explaining my intentions. They recommended # 49.  Hmmm, maybe they didn't recommend the  cast book because I'm not planning on doing my own casting.  Still, it's odd that there wouldn't be the same data in both books.
GH1

The Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook that I have was published in the 80's and has been sold ever since.  Only recently have they made noises about introducing a new one.  I've seen an ad for it just recently, but don't recall where.  Maybe the Lyman person you talked to didn't recommend the cast book because the new one isn't generally available yet.  I don't have the #49, but do have # 47 and 48.  Not much difference except for some different powders listed in some calibers/bullet sizes. #49 should fit your needs pretty well for starters, but if you are really going to cast and experiment once you get going, you should get the new Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook when it becomes available.

[jlchucker]

Graybeard 'splained it so even I could understand it. 

another thing to consider with cast bullets is that a 35 caliber bullet can easily vary +/- 5 grains depending on the alloy it is made from.
..

Or a whole lot less, depending on the powder you use and the weight of the bullet you're loading.  Titegroup, for example has a really small plus/minus factor in their 158 gr 38 special recommended loads.

[qajaq59]

I wrote Lyman's customer service dept and and asked them which book I should buy, after explaining my intentions. They recommended # 49.  Hmmm, maybe they didn't recommend the  cast book because I'm not planning on doing my own casting.   Still, it's odd that there wouldn't be the same data in both books.

I think you have the correct answer there.

[GH1]

Yeah, I think so too.
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