Cast Bullet Load Data

[Borne Looser]

Hi All,

I'm kinda new to lever action firearms and cowboy shooting. I'm looking for a good resource for load data to reload cast lead 38 special and 357 mag rounds of different shapes and weights. The cast bullets I bought on the internet and I'm not sure who manufactured them. Most of the load data I found on the internet is specific to a cast bullet brand. For instance to RCBS or Lyman molds of different shapes and bullet weight. Can I crossover and use the same load for RCBS 158 swc and Lyman 158 swc. Is load data interchangeable?

Thanks in advance. I appreciate your advice

[C. Cash]

Welcome!

Yes....for similar designs/same weight bullet your ok using the same starting load(use info from a reliable loading manual like RCBS or Hornady). Read the manual first to give yourself an idea of what your doing, and should not be doing. It's pretty simple, straightforward and downright fun, but you should go over the basics in a manual to give you a little theory. For each load, start with the starting loads and work carefully up. If you have problems with accuracy/leading, I would suggest slugging your bore and measuring the throats, to determine correct bullet diameter needed. It will save you alot of further aggravation and time scrubbing out the bore and chambers. Let us know how they shoot and look forward to your posts.

[Don McDowell]

For the most part staying with the same weight and basic style of bullet won't get you into much trouble. Some bullets have the cannelure a bit higher up so more of the bullet base is in the case taking up air space, and that can cause a bit of a pressure problem, altho nothing terrible seriuos,but something to be aware of especially if loading at maximum .
If you don't have one already I'ld heartily recommend purchasing a 49th edition Lyman Reloading Handbook , tons of data for lots of cartridges , and its all been pressure tested.

[El Chivo]

I have a handy loadbook with only .357 magnum loads in it, with the pertinent pages from all the main manuals. So I didn't have to buy the big manuals with loads for cartridges I'll never load for. It's a good book.

The Lyman section has the most for lead bullets, as opposed to jacketed.

If you're shooting lead you will want to keep velocities down, so it's pretty easy to come up with a safe, low pressure load.