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Old 06-24-2014, 04:58 PM
kbm6893 kbm6893 is offline
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150 Grain Round Nose Lead Same Data as 150 Grain #2 Alloy? 150 Grain Round Nose Lead Same Data as 150 Grain #2 Alloy?  
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Default 150 Grain Round Nose Lead Same Data as 150 Grain #2 Alloy?

Have a new Lyman manual for revolver cartridges and I have 150 grain round nose lead bullets. The manual gives data for a 150 Grain #2 Alloy, but the picture of the bullet looks different then mine. Almost like a wadcutter with a little nipple on the front. It lists 2.8 to 3.2 grains of Red Dot, which is what I have. But the OAL data it gives would have to be different since the bullet nose is shorter. The data for the 158 grain #2 Alloy has a picture that looks like the bullets I have.

Any help is appreciated.
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Old 06-24-2014, 05:17 PM
Doubless Doubless is offline
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Load data, if I understand correctly, is determined by bullet weight as well as by bearing surface: In other words, a bullet with less bearing surface may tolerate a slightly higher powder charge than the same weight bullet of a different nose configuration because less of the bullet will be in contact with the lands and grooves during the trip down the barrel.

Now, having said that, the load you are using is so slow in the pressure band you will not have any problem substituting the RN for the wadcutter. Your RN will have less bearing surface, so if what I understand is correct, your load SHOULD be even lower in pressure than what the Lyman book states.

You can also use the 158-grain data and tailor a load specifically for your bullet. But I believe the 150 load data will work well for you.

FWIW, I have been casting and loading since 1980; I don't know much yet, but I have learned that there is a lot of "room" in handloading if you are careful, use your noggin, and go slowly.

Good Luck!
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Old 06-24-2014, 05:34 PM
kbm6893 kbm6893 is offline
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150 Grain Round Nose Lead Same Data as 150 Grain #2 Alloy? 150 Grain Round Nose Lead Same Data as 150 Grain #2 Alloy?  
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Originally Posted by Doubless View Post
Load data, if I understand correctly, is determined by bullet weight as well as by bearing surface: In other words, a bullet with less bearing surface may tolerate a slightly higher powder charge than the same weight bullet of a different nose configuration because less of the bullet will be in contact with the lands and grooves during the trip down the barrel.

Now, having said that, the load you are using is so slow in the pressure band you will not have any problem substituting the RN for the wadcutter. Your RN will have less bearing surface, so if what I understand is correct, your load SHOULD be even lower in pressure than what the Lyman book states.

You can also use the 158-grain data and tailor a load specifically for your bullet. But I believe the 150 load data will work well for you. The book lists a load for 160 grain, but not with red dot. But the bullet is a round nosed and the OAL is 1.550, while with the 150 grain wadcutter, it is 1.317.

New to reloading, obviously. Still reading and trying to learn.

FWIW, I have been casting and loading since 1980; I don't know much yet, but I have learned that there is a lot of "room" in handloading if you are careful, use your noggin, and go slowly.

Good Luck!

Thanks. What about the OAL. It would be different then the one listed since the bullet is different, right?

Last edited by kbm6893; 06-24-2014 at 05:37 PM.
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Old 06-24-2014, 06:05 PM
John P. John P. is offline
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150 Grain Round Nose Lead Same Data as 150 Grain #2 Alloy? 150 Grain Round Nose Lead Same Data as 150 Grain #2 Alloy?  
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Lyman number 2 refers to the amount of Lead, Tin, and Antimony in the alloy you are using, and it affects how hard the bullet is. OAL determines how deep the bullet is seated, and has an effect on pressure, especially in higher pressure short cartridges like 9MM.

This being said, you should be fine following the load data for 158 grain RN bullets. Begin near the starting load and work your loads up. In the past, I have used data for 158 grain SWC's with my cast 150 grain SWC's and all went well.

Your OAL should be about the same for 150 or 158 grain Round Nose bullets in .38 Special.

Good luck
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Old 06-24-2014, 06:46 PM
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Rule3 Rule3 is offline
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150 Grain Round Nose Lead Same Data as 150 Grain #2 Alloy? 150 Grain Round Nose Lead Same Data as 150 Grain #2 Alloy? 150 Grain Round Nose Lead Same Data as 150 Grain #2 Alloy? 150 Grain Round Nose Lead Same Data as 150 Grain #2 Alloy? 150 Grain Round Nose Lead Same Data as 150 Grain #2 Alloy?  
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What John says above^ ^

Heck I do not even measure COL with lead bullets in revolvers. I just seat them to the cannelure and crimp Just try to find the closest looking one as long as it is the same weight

Yes your COL will vary. Even using the same exact bullet it will vary as the test brass is usually at the trim to length. I do not trim handgun brass. If there is not cannelure than this will not matter.
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Last edited by Rule3; 06-24-2014 at 06:48 PM.
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Old 06-24-2014, 06:55 PM
kbm6893 kbm6893 is offline
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150 Grain Round Nose Lead Same Data as 150 Grain #2 Alloy? 150 Grain Round Nose Lead Same Data as 150 Grain #2 Alloy?  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by John P. View Post
Lyman number 2 refers to the amount of Lead, Tin, and Antimony in the alloy you are using, and it affects how hard the bullet is. OAL determines how deep the bullet is seated, and has an effect on pressure, especially in higher pressure short cartridges like 9MM.

This being said, you should be fine following the load data for 158 grain RN bullets. Begin near the starting load and work your loads up. In the past, I have used data for 158 grain SWC's with my cast 150 grain SWC's and all went well.

Your OAL should be about the same for 150 or 158 grain Round Nose bullets in .38 Special.

Good luck
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