Which one do you prefer?
- Thread starter johnnyjr
- Start date
johnnyjr
Well-Known Member
Sw 686 6inch. In 38/44
In 357
When both bullets properly fit the cylinder and bore, I've had more-consistent accuracy using the 358156 in 38 special/357 revolvers. The 358429 sometimes gave better accuracy in one gun or another, but it was never as consistent in multiple revolvers. OTOH, with the 358429 you don't have to mess about with gas checks.
johnnyjr
Well-Known Member
God bless those gas checks
JonB
Halcyon member
I prefer my 357mag bullets in the 160gr range for general revolver shooting.
While I do have a Lyman/Ideal 358156 2 cav Iron mold, It's one that needs some tuning, so I don't cast with it, maybe someday it'll get tuned?
I do like casting with the Lee 158gr SWC with GC (similar to the 358156) in a Lee 6 cav mold, that I just posted about, casting a bunch of them.
I also have a NOE 5 cav Alum 360-160-SWC PB (also similar to the 358156, but plain base).
While I do have a Lyman/Ideal 358156 2 cav Iron mold, It's one that needs some tuning, so I don't cast with it, maybe someday it'll get tuned?
I do like casting with the Lee 158gr SWC with GC (similar to the 358156) in a Lee 6 cav mold, that I just posted about, casting a bunch of them.
I also have a NOE 5 cav Alum 360-160-SWC PB (also similar to the 358156, but plain base).
Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
I'm not a fan of gas checks on handgun bullets but if that works for you, then that's all that matters.
If I was strickly shooting 38 Special in that 686, I would likely go with something around 155-160 grains without a gas check. A plain base SWC would be a good universal bullet.
If I was shooting 357 magnum loads in that same gun, AND the 170 grain bullet got along with my particular gun, I might go with the 358429.
There's nothing that requires a Lyman mold number, there's lots of options out there.
My standard 38 Special SWC is a SAECO #382. It's essentially a Lyman 358477 or an RCBS 38-150-SWC profile, with a tad more weight.
If I was strickly shooting 38 Special in that 686, I would likely go with something around 155-160 grains without a gas check. A plain base SWC would be a good universal bullet.
If I was shooting 357 magnum loads in that same gun, AND the 170 grain bullet got along with my particular gun, I might go with the 358429.
There's nothing that requires a Lyman mold number, there's lots of options out there.
My standard 38 Special SWC is a SAECO #382. It's essentially a Lyman 358477 or an RCBS 38-150-SWC profile, with a tad more weight.
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Bret4207
At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
Yes, and no GC to mess with, IF it shoots as good or better than the 156.
Bret4207
At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
I know that, what I meant was that in a 38 you could be shooting a J frame snubby or an N frame that won't let you load some long bullets (429) in Mag brass unless you seat deeper, etc.
Winelover
North Central Arkansas
Cast and shot the RCBS 158 SWC GC for many years, till purchasing a Rossi carbine. Then ordered a four cavity Accurate iron mold for a 158 RNFP bullet. Had Tom cut it to drop two PB & two GC bullets. PB for 38's, GC for 357's.
For deer hunting, my choice would be 180 RNFP. Have NOE's version. IIRC, it's a lube groove clone of Ranch Dog's design.
For deer hunting, my choice would be 180 RNFP. Have NOE's version. IIRC, it's a lube groove clone of Ranch Dog's design.
Thumbcocker
Active Member
Lee 125 rnfp and Lee 158 rnfp. 6 cavity molds with a little tuning will rain good bullets.
358156 hp
At large, whereabouts unknown.
Of these two choices I'd still take 358156. I can lve with a few gaschecks here and there. I feel the quality of Ideal/Lymans manufacturing has been far more consistent with this design than their "version of the month" for Keiths designs. I think Lyman messed with Keiths designs simply to piss him off. Look at their .41 mag Keith design, 410459. Keith had nothing to do with it, and ended up designing his own version and giving the design to Hensley & Gibbs and SAECO.
Bazoo
Active Member
Based purely on the bullet... I'd go with the 358429. It's just a great bullet and hits hard. The 358156 is more versatile with its double crimp grooves, and gas check. It'll feed through a levergun better, and fit more cylinders. But all else being equal, provided the 429 will fit the guns it's to be used in, I'd go that way. Hard to beat either one really.
CWLONGSHOT
Well-Known Member
Yup. 100%
Mitty38
Well-Known Member
I have neither . But if I had to choose. I would go with the 358 - 429. It matches the type of profile I have had success with in check less .357 full power loads.
Plus real close to some Keith's or maybe even the same, that Fiver sent me a few years back, really Accurate and expand well for hunting.
That I had never acquired a mould for.
Plus real close to some Keith's or maybe even the same, that Fiver sent me a few years back, really Accurate and expand well for hunting.
That I had never acquired a mould for.