Inexpensive mould for my 357 Maximum

Ben

Moderator
Staff member
I have an RCBS , 35 cal., 200 gr. bullet mould.
It seems to be the " gold standard bullet " in .35 cal. cast bullet rifle shooting. One cavity of my RCBS remains a solid and is plain based, one cavity is HP'd and retains its g/c shank. A great mould. Buckshot did the work several years ago.


A few days ago, I got the " impulse " to buy a new Lee , 35 cal., 200 gr. RF , 2 cav. g/c mould. I realized it would be a " crap shoot", but I decided to take the gamble. The mould arrived this morning.


My observations at this point in time :


  • The mould cast a nice round 3585 " cast bullet ( with clip on WW's ) .
  • The gas check shank is of the proper dimension.
  • The cast bullets weigh a consistent 203 grs.
  • The sprue plate had jagged edges ( like saw teeth ). I removed the sprue plate and used a flat file and sandpaper to smooth up the rough edges before those rough edges had a chance to cut grooves in the top of the mould halves.
  • I drilled and tapped a 10-24 hole for a set screw that locks the sprue plate hold down screw. That set screw will allow me to control the sprue plate tension on the mould.
My new Ruger # 1, 357 Max. likes .357", .3575" , and .358" cast bullets. I bought this mould with the intention of casting bullets for my Ruger # 1, 357 Max. It has all worked out just about perfect. I guess you just get lucky sometime.

I'm a happy camper !

Ben

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10 loaded 357 Max. rounds with the Lee 203 gr. RF

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The nose meplat dia. on the Lee appears to be slightly wider than my RCBS.

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Ben

Moderator
Staff member
Thanks Paul.
I've already shot the RCBS version out of my Ruger # 1, MAX. It is a nail driver, I hope the Lee will shoot as well ?

Ben
 
F

freebullet

Guest
Shirley & Ben make amends !:)

That is a super classy looking round in your hand!

I'm very interested in what the 4227 does for you.
 

Brother_Love

Well-Known Member
Ben,
I liked that mold so much I got the 6 cavity too. Both of mine cast a hair over .359 with Lyman #2. I HPed the 2 cavity but one cavity was the victim of the learning curve.

I used mine in my 358 Win and it performed great. Hope yours does too although I would bet it will.

Malcolm
 

Ben

Moderator
Staff member
I like mine. It also casts .3585" with WW alloy.

Ian,

I failed to mention that my alloy was clip on WW's.
I have now added that piece of info.

Thanks,
Ben
 
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Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
If I owned a 35 cal rifle that is a bullet I would use.
 

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
Best thing is that mould will literally rain bullets. Ben can't size em fast enough to keep up.
 

myg30

New Member
Ben, Nice mold, boolits and good shooting too ! I like the new lee molds. Looks like you have a keeper fer sure.

Mike
 

Brother_Love

Well-Known Member
The last 2 Lee molds I purchased in the last year have been "spot on." I know that could change with my next one.
 
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freebullet

Guest
Very nice, Ben. I figured you'd find joy with the 4227.

Nope , I'm still not right with her.
This one was checked by Lucille.

HA! Too funny, wonder if they seen our threads, then decided to switch it up. :)
 

KHornet

Well-Known Member
Ben, In reality, its sort of like life in general, actually
just sort of a crap shoot!

Paul