Cast Bullet Question
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They are as cast unsized .38 wadcutters. They need to be sized to app. .358" and lubed. You won't find these in a catalog; virtually all commercial bullet casters sell bullets lubed and sized.
As rockquarry noted, they are simply 'raw' diy cast bullets that have yet to be sized. The variance in the weight from your standard 148 or 150 gr wadcutters is a function of the casters allow mix. Lube and size as you normally would, then work up a load for them.
If you have never lubed and sized, don't be deterred. If this is going to be a one time thing for you, you can do it cheaply. Lee push through sizing dies are less than $20.00 and you can 'pan lube' this batch for pennies with a new toilet bowl wax ring !
twodog max
Member
Lee liquid alox works real good at wadcutter velocities if you don't want to wax ring.
The Lee sizing dies will work with any standard single stage reloading press. They also usually come with a bottle of Liquid Alox tumble lube.
John
John
venomballistics
Member
Shake and bake powder coating method, then cram em through a Lee sizing die
OP
I see the Lee sizing die comes in 3 sizes (.356,.357,.358) which do I need?
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.358" for .38 Special or .357 Magnum.
If you don't want to go to the trouble to size them, just send me a PM, I'd be interested in buying them from you. I'm always looking for unlubed cast bullets to powdercoat. 
LoboGunLeather
US Veteran
In my experience most people tend to think in absolute terms. In the real world there will always be variances in dimensions due to manufacturing methods, tooling, and materials in use.
Cast bullets measuring .360-.361" are not unusual, depending on the mold in use and the lead alloy used in production. The common method for dealing with these minor differences is by sizing the bullets, essentially swaging them down to a dimension closer to the desired result. Even then, we are dealing with sizing dies and equipment that will display manufacturing tolerances, further complicated by the composition of the cast bullets (different alloys will respond to sizing differently, with harder alloys tending to display more "spring-back" effect after the sizing operation).
Softer lead alloys tend to shrink more while solidifying in the mold than harder alloys, and both will show varying degrees of sizing effect when run through the same sizing dies.
One likely explanation for the OP's current experience is bullets cast in a mold designed to produce a bullet of nominal .358-.359" bullet with a specific lead alloy (such as Lyman #2, relatively soft lead-tin mixture), but used to cast bullets with a harder metal such as wheel-weights or type metals. Another factor supporting this hypothesis is the reported weight of 145 grains, which is 3 grains lighter than the nominal standard of 148 grains (explained easily by the lighter results obtained when using harder alloys).
It took me quite a while to grasp the concepts of "nominal dimensions", manufacturing tolerances, and all the other variables involved in every aspect of firearms and reloading.
Cast bullets measuring .360-.361" are not unusual, depending on the mold in use and the lead alloy used in production. The common method for dealing with these minor differences is by sizing the bullets, essentially swaging them down to a dimension closer to the desired result. Even then, we are dealing with sizing dies and equipment that will display manufacturing tolerances, further complicated by the composition of the cast bullets (different alloys will respond to sizing differently, with harder alloys tending to display more "spring-back" effect after the sizing operation).
Softer lead alloys tend to shrink more while solidifying in the mold than harder alloys, and both will show varying degrees of sizing effect when run through the same sizing dies.
One likely explanation for the OP's current experience is bullets cast in a mold designed to produce a bullet of nominal .358-.359" bullet with a specific lead alloy (such as Lyman #2, relatively soft lead-tin mixture), but used to cast bullets with a harder metal such as wheel-weights or type metals. Another factor supporting this hypothesis is the reported weight of 145 grains, which is 3 grains lighter than the nominal standard of 148 grains (explained easily by the lighter results obtained when using harder alloys).
It took me quite a while to grasp the concepts of "nominal dimensions", manufacturing tolerances, and all the other variables involved in every aspect of firearms and reloading.
When using cast lead bullets it is desirable to have a diameter one two two thousands greater than the bore diameter of the gun barrel they are intended for use. The main reason for this is to reduce leading by ensuring a tight fit which prevents gas blow by.
The .356 and .357" dies are better suited for 9mm. You would better served by the .358" die. I have used unsized bullets in some of my guns with good results. Mostly with my old 38 S&W revolvers, which do best with a .361" diameter bullet. Those WCs of yours should work well unsized and tumbled lubed in the 38 S&W.
John
The .356 and .357" dies are better suited for 9mm. You would better served by the .358" die. I have used unsized bullets in some of my guns with good results. Mostly with my old 38 S&W revolvers, which do best with a .361" diameter bullet. Those WCs of yours should work well unsized and tumbled lubed in the 38 S&W.
John
STORMINORMAN
Member
7000 ÷ 145 x 15 = approximately 725 bullets!
Have fun and wear gloves!
Cheers!
Have fun and wear gloves!
Cheers!
gwpercle
Member
When I read .360" - .361" and 145 grains ... my first thought was they would be perfect for loading a 38 S&W ... tumble lube in alox and you would be done !
A might fat for 38 Special ... they need sizing to .358 ... or a revolver with oversized throats !
Gary
A might fat for 38 Special ... they need sizing to .358 ... or a revolver with oversized throats !
Gary
If you a lee factory crimp die you won't need to size those bullets.
Simply tumble lube them, set them in the case and seat them. Then use the factory crimp die to size the case. It will swage that.360/.361" bullet down while crimping.
Simply tumble lube them, set them in the case and seat them. Then use the factory crimp die to size the case. It will swage that.360/.361" bullet down while crimping.
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This might work, but I'd do it the right way by sizing the bullet before loading it into a cartridge case. By using the FCD die, you'll likely size the bullet but you also risk distorting it.
However, if the poster recommending this procedure has done this and accuracy is unaffected, I'll certainly not argue as it works okay for him.
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You shouldn't have to slug a revolver barrel. If the throats will barely allow a bullet to pass through, that diameter will be fine. Usually it's .358" but sometimes .357" or .359". Mine come out of the .358" sizing die at .3575" and that works well for me in all my .38s and .357s.
StrawHat
Member
Whoever thinks a toilet bowl ring is suitable for use as a lube is living in the past. They have not been made from a suitable wax for decades.
Kevin
Kevin
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