Intresting 38-44 load using Lyman 358429 bullet.

[fortyshooter]

I was doing some research on the pre .357 Magnum days when the 38 special was loaded to Magnum levels for the big 38 cal. 44 S&W Special sized revolvers.
Found some Brian Pearce 38-44 load info using the famous 358429 bullet. With a 170-173 gr. bullet weight they load up to 13.5 gr. of Alliant 2400 powder using the 38 Special case.
Now I measured how much bullet is seated below crimp with a 158 gr. cast bullet with GC which is the famous FBI hollow point bullet I use in 38 Special loads and it is .400
I measured how much is below crimp with the MB cast 180 gr. bullet and it is .415...just .015 more.

Assuming that the Lyman 358429 bullet is at least .400 seat depth like my 158 gr. bullet that is a hot load with 13 gr. of 2400 in a 38 Special case.
At 10-15 gr. more bullet weight with the 180's vs. the Lyman 170 bullet when in the longer 357 Mag case, I think I'm safe with 11 gr. of 2400 using the MB 180 bullet in the 38 Special case when bullet is seated to the empty lube groove under the crimp groove. This give a powder area only .030 less than in Mag case but more than the space than the Lyman 170 bullet in Special case.
Now that Lyman bullet might have a longer nose to carry weight out further.

[Ojaileveraction]

Totally follow your logic and analysis.
Similar to my exploration of a 200gr Hornady RN.
From my research
SIERRA 38sp, list their 180 Match max 2400 at 9.1g.
RCBS 38sp, 175 RN max 9.3g 2400for

[BigAl52]

Forty didnt Randy shoot some already with a load close to that?

[fortyshooter]

Forty didnt Randy shoot some already with a load close to that?

He may have and I will go back and look. But I like doing some research just to think things out.

[BigAl52]

Yes I wasnt being critical of the research in any way. It never hurts to double check especially when you get older like me. Maybe Randy will chime in with those tests

[fortyshooter]

Yes I wasnt being critical of the research in any way. It never hurts to double check especially when you get older like me. Maybe Randy will chime in with those tests

Yeah I scrolled back and found it....my short little memory at work!

[Jdl447]

This may help some of you loading 188 grain for .357 mag. I got the mold and load card from NOE. Molds.

[fortyshooter]

Great info and thanks!!

[Jdl447]

180 not 188 grain.