DR bullet question

I have a LRN mold that is throwing a 160 gr bullet with wheel weights. Is there any good alloy for bullseye that will drop those two grains to be compliant for DR or am I just whistling in the wind?

What mold, make and number , are you using?

Scott

It's a Lyman 358311.

Seriously, do you think anyone's going to pull and weigh the bullet and get upset over 2 extra grains? I guess maybe if you set a new national record and/or somebody challenges you, but for most normal shooters that I see at a DR match, 2 extra grains isn't a big deal.

I use the same mold with wheelweight alloy and get weight variations of a couple of grains. If you really want to be sure, weigh the bullets after sizing and only select those that weigh 158 grains or less.

I guess that also means my RCBS 38-150 SWC bullets are not legal, either.

Yeah, I thought I was being a bit too anal retentive. But I never underestimate the power of douchebaggery in competition. I've seen some pretty petty things get blown out of proportion.

I'm just glad to be shooting and not at work.

huntingnt wrote:
I'm just glad to be shooting and not at work.

And here I sit wishing to be doing the same. Enjoy.
Al

I don't think I would worry about the bullets being 160gr. A change in your alloy will give you a different weight.(see chart below) The softer the alloy the heavier the result. The 358311 is listed as a 160gr RN (using Lyman #2 alloy). It is the closest thing you can get in a current Lyman mold to a DR legal bullet which must be either RN or SWC. Lyman's only 158 gr offering is not a SWC. I have that mold but have switched to using a Saeco 388 because I like the cleaner hole the SWC cuts in the target.

Expected (Approximate) alloy weight variation from bullets cast of linotype
	Bullet Weight	Bullet Weight	Bullet Weight	Bullet Weight
	Linotype - No GC	1 - 10 Alloy - No GC	Wheel Weight - No GC	Pure Lead - No GC
	53.0 gr.	+ 2.3 gr.	+ 2.6 gr.	+ 4.7 gr.
	93.0 gr.	+ 4.0 gr.	+ 4.6 gr.	+ 8.3 gr.
	118 gr.	+ 5.0 gr.	+ 5.8 gr.	+ 10.5 gr.
	147.0 gr.	+ 6.3 gr.	+ 7.2 gr.	+ 13.1 gr.
	165.0 gr.	+ 7.0 gr.	+ 8.1 gr.	+ 14.7 gr.
	177.0 gr.	+ 7.5 gr.	+ 8.7 gr.	+ 15.8 gr.
	237.0 gr.	+ 10.1 gr.	+ 11.7 gr.	+ 21.2 gr.
	401.0 gr.	+ 17.1 gr.	+ 19.8 gr.	+ 35.8 gr.

Scott

The requirement for 158 grain bullets (section 3.1.4(e) of the 2011 NRA pistol rules) was dropped with the issuance of the 2012 rulebook. The revolver still has to be able to chamber and fire a 38 Special 158 grain roundnose or semi-wadcutter cartridge but there is no longer a requirement that it be used for the match.

So I can use any bullet design that I want?

CFPlinker wrote:The requirement for 158 grain bullets (section 3.1.4(e) of the 2011 NRA pistol rules) was dropped with the issuance of the 2012 rulebook. The revolver still has to be able to chamber and fire a 38 Special 158 grain roundnose or semi-wadcutter cartridge but there is no longer a requirement that it be used for the match.

2012 book:
"
3.1.4(e) Ammunition - Any safe .38 caliber ammunition using the 158 grain round nose or Semi-Wadcutter bullet
only."

This change is posted on the NRA website.

CONVENTIONAL PISTOL
Rule changes effective 2012
 3.1.4 Distinguished Revolver - The revolver must be capable of chambering and firing a 158-grain round nose or Semi-Wadcutter .38 Special cartridge. It must be a factory manufactured revolver with no external modifications exceptfor stocks which may be modified or changed because of the size of the competitor’s hand or to facilitate loading. Except for stocks and the honing of the sear or sear notch to make a more crisp trigger, and maintain a 2 1/2 lb. minimum trigger pull, no external or internal modification may be made to the revolver as manufactured and sold by the factory of origin. No parts may be removed from the revolver, either externally or internally, nor may any part be added, with the exception of milling the cylinder to accommodate moon clips. Specifically prohibited is any system of recoil control based upon compensators, barrel venting, barrel porting or weighted grips. Exposed holes that have been drilled and tapped for mounting of a scope are not considered to be an external modification.


I am looking at the NRA Pistol Rules book (hardcopy) which is dated as being effective 1 May 2012 and the above is the full text of Rule 3.1.4. The subparagraphs which were in the earlier rulebooks (including the one dated January 2012 which is posted on line) are no longer there. It looks like there may be two versions of the rulebook out there both of which are dated in 2012 with the on line rule book from which jakuda quoted above being dated January 2012 and the hardcopy book being dated 1 May 2012.

Hmm, interesting. Any .38 Special revolver is "capable of chambering and firing a 158-grain round nose or Semi-Wadcutter .38 Special cartridge". But, this interpretation means that you can use any .38 Special ammunition, since it doesn't specifically state that the bullet used must weigh 158 grains. Heck, you could use 148 grain wadcutters under this rule change.

Until the wording in the ammo section changes, it looks to me like 158s are the necessary bullets. I would also expect 160s was close enough. I doubt many of our bullets weigh exactly 158 grains.