Home Forums Reloading Bullet Casting Years ago (late 70's) I cast a lot of

what I think was Lyman 358156 SWC bullets and we would crimp the bullet in the second groove and load it with 12 grains of 2400 using .38 Spl. cases but shoot them in .357 revolvers. Anybody else ever try this. The load is from memory so don't hold me to it since my memory is like my libido---not very good.
It was a gas checked load.

Mickey, I have done the same thing, but used 13.5. It was a .357 mag in all but head stamp. Very very accurate, though, and cases didn't last long.

Old70

That was one of Skeeter Skelton's favorite loads, the 358156 crimped in the second groove and loaded in .38 Spl. cases. He only used once fired brass which he got by the bucketful from the Border Patrol range.

That 358156 is a great bullet, it was all I shot in my various .357's for maybe 20-25 years.

I got my first 357 when I was 17, shot untold thousands of the 357156 with gas check with 14.0g of AA2400, very accurate.

Micky, I will check on my old lyman manual and get back to you.


There is a guy on gunbroker that is casting this bullet with a gas check, Ed Heathwaite Maplewood Bullets in Vt. 802-258-4607
Ed is a master caster, great guy to deal with also.

For 38 Spec. my Lyman #45 list 8.0 grs. Min. and 11.0 grs. Max using the Lyman #358156. The info doesn't state if the bullet is crimped in the second groove or not.

I have a similar gas check double crimp groove mold made by NOE 360160 which can be cast as either HP or FN depending on which pins I use. It shoot great and expands really well with the GC left off in standard 38 Spec. loads.

The L-358156 is a great bullet loaded in 38 or 357 brass.

My favorite bullet! Seriously, if 358156 won't handle it in a .357 mag, you need a much bigger gun.

This bullet is one of my favorites also. Seems the ones I cast end up being closer to 165 grains than 155-158. For me it's either the Lyman 358156 or 358429.

I used a similar and often heavier load with 358429 in .38 Special cases but for the .357 Magnum revolver.

Note that the current 2400 is considered faster and not equivalent to the old Hercules powder!

I've been casting a similar style bullet from wheel weights for my Ruger SP101, a 162gr. PB SWC bullet from a Lachmiller mold.