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Old May 26, 2012, 12:37 PM   #1
Hammerhead
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.358" 170 grain Keith SWC in a GP100?

Wondering if anyone has tried that combination?

I plan on buying some commercial bullets to see what my gun likes before I commit to a mould, and would like to know if the Keith 170 SWC works OK in a GP100 or is the nose too long?

Looking at the Lyman 358429 mould, seems to be the same as what commercial casters sell as the Keith design.

I don't want to crimp over the shoulder or use .38 brass.

Thanks.
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Old May 26, 2012, 12:52 PM   #2
GP100man
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Alot of copies of the "Keith" molds out there some are exact duplicates some not so .

I have Lyman & IDEAL molds of the "Keith" 358429 & while there`s differences (different cherries from which they are cut from) the biggest thing to look for is the lube groove , original design called for a square groove & holds more lube than a round groove (but the round groove falls from the mold better) & if used for revolver shooting supplies sufficient lube . Where as the square groove will suffice even the longest carbine barrel.

The 358429 is a long bullet ,but the GPs cyl will handle em just use a firm roll crimp. On my heaviest 357 loads for the GP & the 429 I don`t use a "M" die to expand the case as the bullets run close to 18bhn & won`t be affected in the seating process as a soft bullet will.

One tid-bit I found out in my research of the 358429 is Mr. Elmer Keith raised total HECK to keep it the same length as the 429421 used in the 44 .It made little difference as he shot em in a 38-44 outdoorsman & he could use the crimp groove as intended, not so for the shorter cyls. of the time though .

GP
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Old May 26, 2012, 01:03 PM   #3
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Thanks GP100man. I just became a GP100 man myself. Don't tell anyone, but it shoots better in my hands than my Freedom Arms model 97. The ergonomics are just right for me. My F/A grip tends to lead to vertical stringing.

I'm looking at 20:1 alloys and velocities up to 1,000 fps. I use the M die now and like it a lot because I can use soft swaged SWC's with plain bases and seat them without trouble. Figured it would work well for soft alloyed, plain base bullets. Not interested in gas checks or bevel bases.

Just about to order my casting set up. Anytime you want to chime in with advice, it's appreciated.
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Old May 26, 2012, 06:51 PM   #4
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Hammerhead , there`sbeen many threads on gettin started , but let me tell ya how I started .

I purchased a Lyman reloading manual & it had a casting section in it , well feeding a 44 on a budget it was natural to cast for it + my intrest was peaked just reading`bout it !

I did some browsing of my local GSs & saw a 44 rn mold & they had a Lyman ladle , a grand total of 28 bucks . I got home, got a pot & melted some lead (wheel weights) until they were good & hot ! (looking back now I`d have a thermometer first) started pouring & good bullets were falling out of the 2 holer in short order , BIG fun & feeding my Redhawk at the same time

Now I have furnaces molds out the wazoo (always looking for another),hardness tester, sizers & dies ,lubes store bought & home made & never enuff time to do a decent test of accuracy or velocity .

But hey it`s all good the Midway flyer came today !!!

Id start with a lead thermometer, Lee 20# pro 4-20 molds of choice & a sizer of some sort & lube from White Label Lubes , Carnauba Red will work for anything in handgun or rifle.
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Old May 29, 2012, 04:06 AM   #5
sw282
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That mold drops a bullet of around 173gr for me. l recently got back into casting when ammo went so high. Biggest problem for me is finding lead. 99% of the tire shops sell their lead or restrict it due to hazmat bs. Rant over.

Great bullet when pushed by 14gr 2400. lt works great and flies true. lt will knock over a 55lb steel ram @ 200 meters using my Mod 27 S&W 8 3/8''
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Old May 31, 2012, 07:42 PM   #6
DWFan
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Planty of data here for this combination in a GP-100....
http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/de...Powder&Source=

Last edited by DWFan; June 2, 2012 at 05:21 AM.
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Old June 7, 2012, 10:05 AM   #7
budman46
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i shot thousands of the 173 gr 358429 from my security-six with 7.9 gr of herco. they shot great and were hard hitting. it was a relatively light load from lyman's 45th handbook; max in their 49th book is 7.1gr.

nice bullet, great, strong gun...
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Old June 7, 2012, 10:24 AM   #8
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Has anybody hollow pointed the 358429, or perhaps gotten an old 358439?
I'd like to hear if those would work well in my GP100 before committing to buying a Keith mold and getting it HP'd.

Last edited by Beagle333; June 7, 2012 at 10:44 AM. Reason: spellin'
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Old June 7, 2012, 07:37 PM   #9
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Beagle333

Ive never had 1 HPed that did`nt shoot somewhat better.

It changes the POB (point-of-balance) within the bullet itself .

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