DR Load - Light At The End Of The Tunnel

Well I fought tooth and nail last summer to come up with a good load for my S&W Model 14-3 using a 158gr LSWC that I was casting my self using wheel weights and a Lee mold. Couldn't get the results I desired. Through talking to some people here and picking their brain on crimp, seat depth, powder and charge I started over. I'm using a Lee mold still but it's a 158gr LRN instead. And wouldn't you know it the patterns turned into groups. 

2.8gr of Bullseye was a large group. About 5"
3.0gr of Bullseye was about 3".
3.2gr of Bullseye started to lay shots next to each other but it was horribly windy with major gusts and so there where too many flyers to really see what it was capable of. 

I will retry 3.2 and 3.0 again. I think I'm finally on the right track. I think before (last year I mean)  I wasn't crimping enough. And bullet may have been seated too deep. So maybe before long I'll have a decent Distinguished Revolver load. I was using a rest that was adjustable up front and in the rear for elevation and angle or tilt. Not a ransom rest or sand bags. Just a hard adjustable rest. Minimal padding. I didn't actually measure the groups. I'm just waiting to see one that looks satisfactory.... Damn round nose bullets...

Yep, and don't work yourself up trying to match 148 hbwc accuracy either.
You just have to settle for "good 'nuf"

Eons ago, one of the best shooting loads was a 200 grain police load.  It was a 200 grain "metal point" that had a cap on a lead bullet IIRC.  Do the rules allow a heavier bullet than 158?

I've had my best accuracy with the Lyman 358311 158 grain RN over 3.0 of BE.  I gave up crimping to the crimp groove in this bullet and now crimp 1/2 way up the front driving band and crimp to .372 (same as my WC crimp) with Rem brass and lubed with Carnuba Red sized .358.  Like you said, turned patterns into groups when I crimped on the front driving band and I have never had one jump the crimp and move.

Don't know which Lee mould your using but I would imagine the 158 TL RN bullet.


Virgil

Wobbley wrote:Eons ago, one of the best shooting loads was a 200 grain police load.  It was a 200 grain "metal point" that had a cap on a lead bullet IIRC.  Do the rules allow a heavier bullet than 158?

Nope, Can not go heavier or lighter.

Lee aluminum tumble lube. I used a .357 Lee sizing die but I think they're coming out .356. Tumble tubed, and .374 for crimp. Nearly 1.50 cartridge overall length. Once I decide on the charge I may yet still tinker with the seat depth. But I'm not gonna fuss too much. If I can get it to hold 10 ring consistently then I'll stick with that.

If you access to WST don't forget to try it along with BE.. I prefer it on my DR loads.. 3.0 - 3.3gr

Also try 45-45-10 lube as it's easier to work with and dries harder than std. Alox. 

mic you bullets to see what they are...356 would not be good in a Model 14.

I'm sure you already did a search on site, but this has always been a great thread about DR loads

Http//www.bullseyeforum.net/t2221-distinguished-revolver-loads-that-don-t-suck?highlight=distinguished+loads