laser cast swc oregon trail etc.

[eotrampman]

i am in the early stages of reloading and I noticed that the Oregon Trail SWC 158gr bullets dont include Unique as a choice of powder. Its there for 140 and 180 grains tho!

Do these alloy/laser cast SWC shoot quite a bit different than traditional cast lead? i dont want to start a habit of deviating from the manual especially this new to the game.

I have a few pounds of Unique and small pistol primers so i dont want to accommodate to these bullets too much when i could just go out and get the stuff the book calls for.

thanks fellas

 

[tjpopkin]

you can substitute the data for Unique that is applicable to any other 158gr. lead bullet. Be certain the data is NOT for a jacketed bullet. Pistol cartridges are usually never loaded to extreme pressures, so a bit of variance is fine. If you are in doubt, reduce the load by 0.2gr. of Unique.
Terry

 

[Culina]

When in doubt, refer to the loading section of the powder manufactures website. That being said, I quite using cast and lubed bullets in favor of the cast or swaged molly coated bullets. I got tired of the smoke, soot and leading and now don't have those problems.

 

[riverrat38]

I think you would want to use data for cast bullets. Swaged bullet loading data, like in my Speer #14 book, use light loads to prevent leading with the soft lead. It takes more pressure to get a good seal with cast bullets. Without the seal, accuracy will suffer and bore leading will likely result.

Best,
Rick

 

[fredj338]

There really is little diff in Laser Cast bullet vs any other hard cast alloy lead bullet, so the data is interchangeable. As always, when changing components, just aproach the max loads with caution.
BTW, if you are getting leading with conventional cast bullets, you are just doing something wrong. A swaged lead bullets isn't better, often worse, so that isn't solving anything. If you are gettign leading with hard cast & not swaged at the same vel/pressure levels, you have a bullet fit problem.

 

[Nemo288]

I have had good luck with the Oregon Trail products. I chose them
specifically because their 44s, at least, are somewhat oversized.
Their ".431" measures .432 in reality. This is perfect for the older (80's) S&W 44s I have.
I recently got a bit newer S&W 44 and its chamber throats are a lot tighter
measuring .429 +/- .0005. The Rainier plated .429s shoot very well in this gun.

The advice then: Measure your chamber throats BEFORE you order cast bullets.
Tell the caster what size you need. You will be happy with the results.

===
Nemo

 

[Cdog]

I also use standard cast data for the Laser Cast brand.

Nothing special, I've used quite a lot of them in several calibers with good result. I use very similar burn rate Universal Clays instead of Unique.

 

[rwsmith]

If you are going to be....

If you are going to be loading cast bullets get the Lyman "Cast Bullet Handbook". It has TONS of data on lead bullets.

The regular Lyman 49th edition Reloading Handbook has some cast lead loads, but the Cast Bullet book has about double the data for cast.

Note that the swaged bullets offered by Speer, Hornady, etc. are MUCH softer than most any cast bullet. The Brinell hardness for swaged is around 4-5 whereas cast bullets are usually 12 on up. Cast bullets CAN be just as soft as swaged, but most any you buy from casters will be harder.

 

[lebomm]

I've used 'em w/Unique, and they performed as well as most other 158s at moderate velocities. Never tried loading 'em hot. Ran out and just never bought any more.

Larry

 

[Pigirondan]

To the contrary my friend. Oregon Trail/LaserCast has a full reloading manual now. In fact, it is the first edition.

In the .38 Special section under 158 SWC/RNFP/RN they list the following for Unique:

Minimum 3.8 grains for 732fps, Maximum 5.0 grains for 976fps, OAL 1.435 inches

Test Gun: S&W 686 with 6" barrel. Primer used was WSP

 

[Nevada Ed]

+1;
agree that 5.0grs in a 6" 686 will get you into 900 fps +........
how far depends on if you use f100, cci's or win primers, regular or full strength.

Never went as low as 3.8grs......... always tried for 755 fps out of my revolvers as a minimum velocity, except my snubs. They are a whole new ball game.

 

[mikld]

You need more data sources. As recommended above, Lyman's Cast Bullet Handbook is an excellent place to find load data for cast bullets, even the "classic" 158 gr. SWC with Unique. Make sure the data is for cast bullets and not swaged bullets. I have no idea how many 158 gr. SWC loads over Unique I used in my .38 Specials and .357 magnums, but it's a lot and data came from published reloading manuals...

 

[Fla_Sun]

These bullets have a BHN of 24, I contacted them on this. The ones I have used are in the .358 to .359 diameter. Load accordingly.

 

[mikld]

These bullets have a BHN of 24, I contacted them on this. The ones I have used are in the .358 to .359 diameter. Load accordingly.

Sounds like those are as hard/harder than pure linotype (I believe linotype is rated at 22 BHN). Why so hard? I've used bullets of 10-12 BHN for all my guns, including magnums...