Making Bullets ...
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Making Bullets ...
The other day I noticed I was getting low on my .357/.38 Special Semi-wadcutters, so I fired up the lead pot and cast a couple hundred. I used my old Saeco 4-cavity 160 gr. mold. It has been in use for more than 30 years and still makes nice bullets.
Sized to .357" and lubed with Paco's Apache Blue lube
These have always been accurate .. IF I do my part! From the rifle ..
Sized to .357" and lubed with Paco's Apache Blue lube
These have always been accurate .. IF I do my part! From the rifle ..
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- Advanced Levergunner
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Re: Making Bullets ...
Jim. I agree they are accurate bullets. Nice shooting!
- marlinman93
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Re: Making Bullets ...
My Saeco molds are some of the best molds I own and use! Not just the design, but how nicely bullets drop from them. Back when Barry Darr ran the mold design at Saeco I was buying a lot of Saeco molds. I still do on occasion, but sure miss his input when I called to discuss a bullet mold.
Pre WWI Marlins and Singleshot rifles!
http://members.tripod.com/~OregonArmsCollectors/
http://members.tripod.com/~OregonArmsCollectors/
Re: Making Bullets ...
8 grains of Unique is pretty sporty, any idea how fast that's running?
I picked up an old 6 cavity H&G51 mold at a yard sale a couple years ago, supposedly it's the original Phil Sharpe 357 bullet design. Problem is that this one's a bevel base and the bevel is so pronounced that you could load it backwards and pretend it's a truncated cone. Need to get it reamed out to a proper flat base.
I found this article on 38/357 bullet history pretty interesting -
https://americanhandgunner.com/ammo/38- ... ld-makers/
I picked up an old 6 cavity H&G51 mold at a yard sale a couple years ago, supposedly it's the original Phil Sharpe 357 bullet design. Problem is that this one's a bevel base and the bevel is so pronounced that you could load it backwards and pretend it's a truncated cone. Need to get it reamed out to a proper flat base.
I found this article on 38/357 bullet history pretty interesting -
https://americanhandgunner.com/ammo/38- ... ld-makers/
- Griff
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Re: Making Bullets ...
Jim, you might wanna check... Quick Load doesn't list that specific bullet, but another 160 grainer SWC in the .357, is showing about 42K psi @ 1580 fps. QL has been known to overcalculate, but... that's quite a jump. I'm certain the Rossi can handle it... but I'd avoid that load in a pistol.
Griff,
SASS/CMSA #93
NRA Patron
GUSA #93
There is a fine line between hobby & obsession!
AND... I'm over it!!
No I ain't ready, but let's do it anyway!
SASS/CMSA #93
NRA Patron
GUSA #93
There is a fine line between hobby & obsession!
AND... I'm over it!!
No I ain't ready, but let's do it anyway!
Re: Making Bullets ...
OK .. thanks. I will dig out the chronograph and see. The 160 gr. Speer jacketed SWC with 7.5 gr. of Unique was about 1150 fps and the jacketed bullet produced a lot more friction than the cast bullet. Seating depth also affects things.
Re: Making Bullets ...
Jim,
What do you have for a Ruger 357 Flattop ?
What do you have for a Ruger 357 Flattop ?
Re: Making Bullets ...
Made in 1958
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- Ysabel Kid
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Re: Making Bullets ...
Jim - two questions.
(1) Has that flattop been refinished? Mine's frame has turned to a plum color.
(2) What bullet lube do you use?
Thanks!
YK
(1) Has that flattop been refinished? Mine's frame has turned to a plum color.
(2) What bullet lube do you use?
Thanks!
YK
- Griff
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Re: Making Bullets ...
That Speer JSWC is in the database, and at 7.5 grains is a much more reasonable load, pressure down to ~34K, but, velocity in a 20" bbl is still 1507fps. And yes, seating depth is very critical. I'm sure QL simply uses the data on that someone provided on bullet design & layout.
Griff,
SASS/CMSA #93
NRA Patron
GUSA #93
There is a fine line between hobby & obsession!
AND... I'm over it!!
No I ain't ready, but let's do it anyway!
SASS/CMSA #93
NRA Patron
GUSA #93
There is a fine line between hobby & obsession!
AND... I'm over it!!
No I ain't ready, but let's do it anyway!
Re: Making Bullets ...
No, it's factory finish. Missing in spots.Ysabel Kid wrote: ↑Fri Oct 27, 2023 8:55 pm Jim - two questions.
(1) Has that flattop been refinished? Mine's frame has turned to a plum color.
(2) What bullet lube do you use?
Thanks!
YK
I only use Paco's Apache Blue lube. He has not made any since about 1995. But he made me two #10 can's full. I still have about a half can left. Unless I live too long it should last me.
- Ysabel Kid
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Re: Making Bullets ...
I hope you live too long!JimT wrote: ↑Fri Oct 27, 2023 10:07 pmNo, it's factory finish. Missing in spots.Ysabel Kid wrote: ↑Fri Oct 27, 2023 8:55 pm Jim - two questions.
(1) Has that flattop been refinished? Mine's frame has turned to a plum color.
(2) What bullet lube do you use?
Thanks!
YK
I only use Paco's Apache Blue lube. He has not made any since about 1995. But he made me two #10 can's full. I still have about a half can left. Unless I live too long it should last me.
Re: Making Bullets ...
Well ... I appreciate that and I wouldn't mind as long as I could still go shooting and do some reloading now and again. I have no desire to live sucking on an oxygen bottle while laying in bed messing in a diaper.
- Ysabel Kid
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Re: Making Bullets ...
I feel exactly the same way.