M92 38/357 Lead Bullet Accuracy Loads

[donhuff]

I'm betting that powder came from the late 60s to mid 70s.

I found a good bit of data for it. I'd burn it in plinking loads as no need to make a good load, and then can't get any more of the powder.

[Cheyenne4090]

I also found a four pound cardboard tube of Red Dot. Price tag was $12 sure wish that was still the going rate!

[GasGuzzler]

I also found a four pound cardboard tube of Red Dot. Price tag was $12 sure wish that was still the going rate!

I know, right? How do those bullets I sent look? Let us know how they shoot. They're the first I've EVER cast and even I haven't loaded much less shot any of them yet.

[Cheyenne4090]

GasGuzzler,

Just got home last night from visiting relatives out of state. The bullets were waiting for me when I got here. They look great, if you just started casting you're doing it right! What alloy are you using and what is the lube? Also did you size them? Doesn't look like they are sized but hard to tell for sure with the lube.

Are these from a newer Lee mold? I like they way they look without much of a bevel on the base, looks like they will shoot really well. They are shorter than the swaged 147 FP's, 158 SWC's and 158 RN's bullets I have so they should stabilize even better in the slow Rossi twist.

I will shoot some this week and let you know how they work.

Thanks for sending them.

[GasGuzzler]

They are from a new Lee RNFP mold. They are cast from home smelted wheel weights 5:1 COWW:SOWW (approx) with a tiny bit of solder added. They were sized with a Lee push through and pan lubed with home made lube from a recipe runfiverun posted on another site (beeswax, Vaseline, 2-stroke oil, ATF) then coated lightly with 60/40 Johnson's wax/Alox to seal them better for transport.

[Cheyenne4090]

Quick range report from today with my M92 24" barrel. Shot some of GasGuzzler's 158 Lee RNFP in a 357 case over 15.5 gr of 296 and a magnum pistol primer, crimped in the crimp grove measured 1.575 OAL. Fed smoothly from the magazine. Average velocity for 10 rounds was 1769, ES 36, sd 18. Five shot group at 100yds measured 3". GasGuzzler I will PM you a picture of the group, I still haven't taken the time to try posting pictures myself. Looks like this bullet will be a keeper!

[GasGuzzler]

Good numbers. Send pics and I'll post 'em.

[Cheyenne4090]

Ok I think I got the picture thing figured out!

Here is a pic of the 5 shot 100yd group with GasGuzzler's 158gr Lee RNFP from today. I am using iron sights so a scope could probably get a little smaller group. It was a beautiful day today, about 40 with no wind and very sunny. I am definitely going to get one of these Lee molds and probably one for the 125 RNFP too. Now I am going to have to try the Li'l gun powder, seems like it will replace the WW296 for the 357 rifle and for the M-1 carbine.

By the way I did not get any leading with those bullets and lube after 15 rounds. They fed perfectly and that big flat nose looks like it would make a great hunting bullet.

[donhuff]

That looks pretty good to me.

[GasGuzzler]

Here's the other one.



I'm glad the lube I made and the bullets I cast from lead I smelted from wheel weights I got free worked OK. I'm glad the lube seemed to hold up for a warm load (how all .357 should be used in my little experience) for at least the small number of rounds.

My BH likes warm to hot and I think my R92 will as well. Has so far. I think my 2400 loads are a little hotter but I haven't opened my chrono (or loaded any of the bullets I've cast much less shot them) so I don't know.