Hey TCLouis
Don't mean to ignore your querry, I'm retired and very good at doin nothing. I have a lot of information concerning Lawnsteel ammunition. My experience covers loading for the following handguns.
S&W models; 17, 19, 27, 29, 66, 459, 686 and 745
Colt models; combat masterpiece, police, officer, trooper, python, anaconda and 1911
Magnum research models; lone eagle and desert eagle
Ruger models; old blackhawk, new blackhawk, security six, speed six, gp100, old super blackhawk, new super blackhawk,
Redhawk and super redhawk
Thompson Center contenders, Uberti, cowboy and rolling block. High point 9 & 45.
Calibers loaded for Lawnsteel; 32, 38, 357, 40, 44 and 45.
My personal favorite powder is Alliant Promo. I have come up with a Promo load for all calibers shown and have fine tuned a load for each of the handguns listed. There are half a dozen powders which have shown to perform just as well. Expense is a factor in my choice and I load efficiently. Cast bullets have been a mainstay for me well prior to my first championship title. My experience has also shown me that without a doubt, every firearm is different. If a revolver is the subject being loaded for, then you probably have several cylinders with subtle differences within. Lawnsteel bulleteers are very aware of each indivdual cylinder characteristic and address their situations knowing full well the ramifications. While my loads are all considered quite mild, identical performance from same model handguns cannot be expected. Another critical factor lies with the indivdual doing the loading. Admittidly, my loading process is fraught with redundant, anal, unnecessary, repetive, silly, nit picky and stupid(I'm told) behavior.
The bullet of choice has a 2 ogive nose radius and a meplate one half of slug diameter. Lee, Saeco and Lyman all offer an off the shelf in .358" that weigh in around 160gr and fill the Lawnsteel bill nicely. As Duke noted, an alloy softer than Lyman #2 not only obturates better but also carries steel well at the lower velocities. The 38/357 slot will get most of the attention here as big guns have the mass to carry steel regardless. When softer alloy is used, bullet weight comes up. Lawnsteel demands the weight limit must be met. This is done with careful balancing of added tin. Ductility is the reward here and also improves the outcome.
OK now, here are some examples of what works;
All following loads use a Lyman 160gr round nose flat point, 60% fill with "Best lube"
New model blackhawk ss; 3.5 gr Promo 835fps avg dev 11fps(all 6 cylinders 18 shot string)
38 spec cases of same headstamp used
S&W model 66 6"; 3.4 gr Promo 820 fps avg dev 15fps(all 6 cylinders 18 shot string)
38 spec cases of same headstamp used
N/m Blackhawk 6 1/2"; 3.2 gr Promo 815 fps avg dev 12 fps(all 6 cylinders 18 shot string)
38 spec cases of same headstamp used
Contender 10" 38 spec; 2.85 gr promo 814 fps avg dev 7 fps(21 shot string)
38 spec cases of same headstamp used
Contender 10" 357; 3.05 gr Promo 809 fps avg dev 6 fps(21 shot string)
38 spec cases of same headstamp used
(Bullets sized to .356" after slugging revealed tight bore)
Colt python 6"; 3.4 gr Promo 810 fps avg dev 22fps(all 6 cylinders 18 shot string)
38 spec cases of same headstamp used
Uberti rolling block 10"; 2.9 gr Promo 809 fps avg dev 7fps(21 shot string)
357 mag cases of same headstamp used.
*Uberti rolling block 10"; a 205 gr Saeco rnfp 2.6 gr Promo 789 fps avg dev 9fps(21
shot string) 357 mag cases of same headstamp used. Same OAL as standard ammo and
point of impact is 2" high of same point of aim at 75yds. Considered a "cheater bullet"
In 44 I use an antique Ideal/Lyman that drops a 216gr semi wadcutter Keith type bullet.
N/m Super blackhawk ss 7 5/8"; 5.1 gr Promo 812 fps avg dev 13 fps(all 6 cylinders 18
shot string) 44 mag cases of same headstamp used.
O/m Super blackhawk 7 5/8"; 4.9 gr Promo 811 fps avg dev 7 fps(all 6 cylinders 18
shot string) 44 mag cases of same headstamp used.
Lone Eagle 10"; 4.1 gr Bullseye 801 fps avg dev 8fps(21 shot string)
44 mag cases of same headstamp used.
These loads are tested thoroughly and currently in use. Promo loads are subject to change slightly when exhausting a keg and then loading from a different keg. It is the nature of Promo and part of the trade off for the reduced price. Even when lot numbers are identical, chrono work will generaly reveal a speed change on a given volume load. Volume load charges must also be weighed for comparison.
There are no secrets a true champion will need or use to win. I hope I have been of help.
Roy