Just ended up with a batch of factory .38 .357 cast lead with no label as to the bullet weight as part of a purchase. I was told they were 158gr. Checked them against some that I had purchased and found them shorter than the ones I had in stock. Did a quick check with scales and found they weighed in at 157gr. Then checked several other manufactured lead cast bullets and found they all weighed more than listed.
Here are the results.... And yes I have calibrated scales ane zeroed.
9mm 115 gr RNFMJ = 115.1 gr
.357 125 gr semi-jacketed HP = 125.6 gr
.45-70 405 gr LRNFP = 410.2gr
9mm 125gr. LRN = 127.5 gr
.45 colt 250gr LRNFP = 246.9 gr
.38 .357 158 gr lead semi wad cutter = 163.3 gr
.38 .357 ????? gr lead semi wad cutter = 157.1 gr
This last bullet is the one we had no info on. Now the questions!
1. Is it typical so see this range in variance in bullet weight from listed purchase weight to actual weight?
2. What should one base weight of off when working up loads?
3. What do you think I should consider the load weight for the unknown bullet? Note the bullet length is shorter when checked against the know bullet even though the diameter is the same.
Thanks so much for the help.
Chico
