Lyman 340gr. Bullet

matt45 · January 19, 2007, 02:09:14 PM

Hello the Camp,
Last night I molded a few of the Lyman 340gr. The mold casts well- the bullets are substantially lighter than 340, but it is a hard alloy I am using. To seat the bullet to where all grease grooves are covered leads to an OAL of 1.535. The compromise I settled on is the last groove partially exposed for an OAL of 1.555. Is the first OAL long enough to feed reliaby? My preference is to conceal the grease grooves.
Any input would be highly appreciated
matt45

matt45 · January 19, 2007, 02:21:15 PM

here is the bullet and case in question.

Two Flints · January 19, 2007, 02:22:02 PM

Hi Matt45,

And this is a closer look of your Lyman 340gr. Bullet. Great looking insignia, too

Two Flints

Tuolumne Lawman · January 19, 2007, 04:09:51 PM

Howdy,

It should work, as that is about the length of the BAC350/512 bullet loads I did.

Actually feeding in a Spencer is less a function of overall length as it is of rim to ogive where it touches the bottom of the cartridge feed guide. The nose does not necessarily touch the guide, but rather the side of the ogive. The loads I did with the BAC 512 are much shorter OAL than the ones I now load with the HRHW/DWM modified LEE. They both feed the same, as the ogive hits in the same place on both.

matt45 · January 19, 2007, 05:05:05 PM

So...
Would I better hold off loading anymore (beyond 10-15) until I have carbine in hand?

French Jack · January 20, 2007, 05:13:34 PM

If you crimp into the front driving band, a OAl of approx. 1.535, you will have no problems with feed or function with the Lyman bullet.

matt45 · February 01, 2007, 01:54:28 PM

In case anyone is interested- the bullets out of that mold are a mixture of 8 lbs wheelweights, and two pounds 50/50 solder, with about 1/4 lbs of 95%tin and 5% antimony sweat solder. This tests out to a brh of 26. The nominal weight of the 230 gr Lyman mold w/ this mixture is 215grs, +/- 2grs. This is the same alloy I shoot in a 348 at 2000fps, with good results.
matt45

Black River Smith · February 01, 2007, 08:17:47 PM

Matt,

Are you certain that a 340gr mold drops a bullet out at 215 gr with your alloy? That is one drastic weight loss or you may have holes or hollow spots possibly. I have seen that mold drop down to 315 - 320gr but normal is around 330gr.

Is your statement a typo possibly? I am like Tuolumne, in that I have used several modified Lee molds to create acceptable Spencer bullets.

matt45 · February 02, 2007, 03:42:03 PM

Well, the bullets look good on the outside, but there could be cavities.

I'll be able to you more in a week or so: we have to butcher, and I should have a rifle and a test case- I figure that if a bullet will punch through a cow's head and hold together, it will meet specs.

I have shot a couple deer and one elk with this alloy, (out of the 200 gr RCBS mold I get 190 gr bullets), but that is a 348. Anyway, I appreciate the feedback, and will keep you posted.

Black River Smith · February 02, 2007, 05:17:04 PM

Sorry just reread your post and 'now' saw your reference to the fact of using a 'Lyman 230gr mold'. I was thinking the topic was still discussing the Lyman 512139 - 330gr mold. Did not notice your change to relate alloy to a previously used mold.

I'm sorry for the lack of better detailed reading of your second posting.

matt45 · February 02, 2007, 06:18:58 PM

yeah, I was seriously mis-typing. 330gr, alloy casts out at 315, same alloy in 200gr casts out at 190. Sorry, head up forth point of contact

matt45 · February 19, 2007, 06:14:56 PM

Hello the camp,
Well, we finally got around to butchering the cow today. 56-50 with the Lyman bullet, 32.4 grs. of 777; magnum primer. Range was about 15 feet. Bullet entered behind right ear, traveled towards the nasal cavity. While I haven't found the bullet yet, it penetrated several layers of bone, and in a straight line 5". I have to take the metal detector to the site- the bullet may have dropped out the mouth.