Single cavity molds?

johnnyjr

johnnyjr

Well-Known Member
Does anyone make a single cavity mold 158 gr swc for 357 cal. Besides lee..I bought one used and got scammed on that piece of crap..
 
Ben

Ben

Moderator
Staff member
You can still find a lot of single cav. Lyman moulds.
If you could flex some on the 158 requirement, you'll find a wide variety of single cav. moulds.
 
johnnyjr

johnnyjr

Well-Known Member
So, what do you suggest. I have a 125 gr but everyone says it's to small for deer hunting,even out of my rossi rifle. The one I had bought pretty much turned me off from buying used..
 
CWLONGSHOT

CWLONGSHOT

Well-Known Member
johnnyjr said:
So, what do you suggest. I have a 125 gr but everyone says it's to small for deer hunting,even out of my rossi rifle. The one I had bought pretty much turned me off from buying used..
Click to expand...
I have bought more then half of my molds used.

One bad deal soured you? I have strung together "bad" things and let me tell ya ya got to get over that man. Buyer beware anytime ya buy used. Ask questions. Ask for pics. If they aint willing WALK! NOT A SINGLE HONEST SELLER will smite your requests.

IMHO, ANY 158/160 is on the "LITE" side for deer in a 357 Carbine. One of
My favorites is the Saeco #353 similar profile to the lee 358-158 but 180g.
CW
 
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H

hornetguy

Active Member
How big are your deer? Texas whitetails are not all that big, and I imagine any 158gr bullet would be sufficient. On the young bucks and does, the 125 would likely work.... out of a carbine, it's sizzling right along...
 
Bret4207

Bret4207

At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
I've bought over 75 moulds off Ebay over 20 years. I never got a bad one. You might consider asking here if anyone has one they want to let go. As was said, a 358429 would work good, so would a 358156 if you want a GC.
 
KeithB

KeithB

Resident Half Fast Machinist
Get away from the single cavity restriction. I found several Lyman and RCBS two cavity molds on eBay that fit the .35 caliber 150-158 gr criteria.

Early Lee single and double cavity molds used (IMHO) a pitiful alignment system that was prone to rapid wear as the floppy blocks were closed. Gotta rest the bottom of the blocks on a flat surface when you close them to prevent that. The newer ones are better. The six cavity Lees are pretty darn good for the price but not everyone is set up with the hardware to keep them filled.

Listing for RCBS 150 gr 2 cavity with more than a day left to bid.
www.ebay.com

RCBS 35-150-SWC Double Cavity Bullet Mold Lead Bullet Casting Mould | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for RCBS 35-150-SWC Double Cavity Bullet Mold Lead Bullet Casting Mould at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
www.ebay.com
 
P

Petrol & Powder

Well-Known Member
KeithB said:
Get away from the single cavity restriction. I found several Lyman and RCBS two cavity molds on eBay that fit the .35 caliber 150-158 gr criteria.

Early Lee single and double cavity molds used (IMHO) a pitiful alignment system that was prone to rapid wear as the floppy blocks were closed. Gotta rest the bottom of the blocks on a flat surface when you close them to prevent that. The newer ones are better. The six cavity Lees are pretty darn good for the price but not everyone is set up with the hardware to keep them filled.

Listing for RCBS 150 gr 2 cavity with more than a day left to bid.
www.ebay.com

RCBS 35-150-SWC Double Cavity Bullet Mold Lead Bullet Casting Mould | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for RCBS 35-150-SWC Double Cavity Bullet Mold Lead Bullet Casting Mould at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
www.ebay.com
Click to expand...
That RCBS 38-150-SWC mold is currently selling new for WELL over $120. It's an excellent mold. I would certainly take a chance on that for $60-$70 if I didn't already have one.
 
KeithB

KeithB

Resident Half Fast Machinist
I have always thought that RCBS molds were the best commercial molds on the market. I love some of their designs but the lack of any mold over two cavities limits my desire to buy one in a handgun type caliber.
 
waco

waco

Springfield, Oregon
Hey Johnny. My .357/.38 needs are covered. If you’d like an RCBS two cavity 358429 just shoot me your address. It’s yours. I’ll even cover the shipping.
Walter.
 

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Jeff H

NW Ohio
Petrol & Powder said:
That RCBS 38-150-SWC mold is currently selling new for WELL over $120. It's an excellent mold. I would certainly take a chance on that for $60-$70 if I didn't already have one.
Click to expand...

A 4C from one of the custom makers would be less than that.

If there is a concern about consistency from cavity to cavity,... a deer's vitals are a pretty big target and the 357 carbine isn't going to shoot far enough to have something so minor ever be noticed.

That 125 will start out fast but slow down fast as well, both in the air and in the deer.

EDIT: Scratch that. Walter's solution beats them all. You can cast plenty fast with a 2C to feed a revolver AND a carbine and you can't hardly beat the design .
 
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KeithB

KeithB

Resident Half Fast Machinist
Before the new moldmakers got in the business, back when I started casting, the four brands for NEW molds were Lyman, Saeco, RCBS, and Lee. Of the four, RCBS was my choice for two cavity molds, especially after a bad experience with two cavity Lees.
 
P

Petrol & Powder

Well-Known Member
If RCBS made 4 cavity molds, I would buy them. The greatest shortcoming of RCBS molds is the 2 cavity limit.
SAECO does make 4 cavity molds and I do occasionally buy those, but they aren't cheap. (but they are 1 time purchases)
Some of the custom mold makers offer excellent value and even if the money is high, you can get almost anything you want and with high quality.

And I've taken a chance on some used molds and I think I've come out ahead. That may change some day but the risk is fairly minimal.
 
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