Heavy cast bullets in .357s

[9.3X62AL]

One heavy-for-caliber bullet that has done years of good work for me in 38 Special and 357 Magnum has been Lyman #358430, which weighs 196 grains in 92/6/2 alloy. A "book" load that has shot well for me in several 357s has been 12.4 grains of WW-296 lit off by CCI 550 primers in Winchester plated brass. These run just a taste over 1200 FPS from my BisHawk x 7.5" and cluster closely at 50 yards. I have 20 of these loaded with BruceB Softpoints, but haven't crossed the path of a coyote yet while so equipped.

 

[300BLK]

I've used the Saeco #354 for years in a Marln 1894c over stiff loads of H110. It weighs 185gr with GC and feeds perfectly. I shot some RCBS 35-200s over a stout load of H110 (GC on powder) in a Browning Low Wall, and while extremely accurate, the crescent buttplate discouraged further use of that load.

 

[Hawk]

I've got an LBT WFN GC that drops 182 grs from WDCWW (I was buying LBT before I found the other web page and discovered all the excellent mold makers out there, so I've got a lot of LBT molds).
12.5 gr. of 2400 touched off by a CCI 550 primer does 1275 fps in my S&W Model 27 with a 6" barrel. Very accurate out to 100 yards.
I too have several Keith style molds from Lyman and never could get the kind of accuracy I get with the LBT designs.

 

[Rick]

I too have several Keith style molds from Lyman and never could get the kind of accuracy I get with the LBT designs.

I think that has much to do with Veral's understanding of the value of bearing surface.

 

[waco]

Here is the new mold

 

[Ben]

That's a beautiful mould !

 

[Brad]

That is an Accurate mould, best there is. Made to order, made fast, and made right. Every time.

Nice mould Waco, can't wait to see the bullets it drops in action.

 

[waco]

Thanks fellas. The .357 bullet is very similar to my NOE 180gr WFN just minus the gas check. I think even in my Rossi 92(16" barrel) I won't need a GC.
The bullet has a nice "long" bearing surface. I have high hopes for it.
I needed a good 200 projectile for my 1911 as well as my brothers. This one looks like it will work well. Hope to cast some up soon.

 

[Winelover]

I have a 3 cavity NOE 180 RNFP that drops two PB and a checked bullet. In my Rossi 92 , with the same charges of 2400, I find the GC is unnecessary.

 

[waco]

Got some cast up tonight. Very pleased with how they look. Need to load some up and hit the range.

 

[Rally Hess]

I cast some of the NOE 180's today in Solid and dimple point, and a few HP's yesterday. I've only got one .357, a Marlin 1894. The HP bullet looks like it would be better suited as a PP bullet(huge cavity). I'm thinking the dimple point has some possibilities in the field. I've got the RG4 mould in brass and it seems to like some heat. Ran it through four heat cycles while casting other bullets and preheated it for a half hour yesterday before casting a few HP's. Did the same today but cast alot more bullets. Theres a short learning curve to getting the pins the correct depth and positioning them while casting, but the moulds sure make some nice bullets.

 

[waco]

Got around to loading up a few test rounds with the new mold. Sized to .359" and lubed with BAC I'll shoot these in my 16" Rossi lever gun. The load is mix brass 13.5gr H110 and a CCI 550 primer.

 

[Ben]

Does your thick drive band that protrudes from
the end of the case have any effect on chambering ?

BTW, Great Photos !

 

[waco]

Good question Ben, I'll check....
They don't even come close to feeding! LOL
Guess this will be a revolver bullet.

 

[waco]

Sizing to .358" probably isn't going to help any, huh?

 

[freebullet]

I'd try!
Might be able to open the mouth up a bit & seat deeper. Start light if you go deeper. You'll have to watch the crimp too, easy to over do it when out of the groove.

I'd do one or more of the tests outlined in the how set oal thread I posted in the rifle section. Let the gun tell you how it wants that boolit.

That really is a gorgeous mold.

 

[waco]

Freebullet. I'll take your advice. Thanks.

 

[waco]

I should clarify. It's not that it won't chamber, it just won't feed from the magazine tube into the chamber.

 

[freebullet]

I've been know to smooth out catch points to make levers/ autoloaders feed.
I've even got the ak feeding hp's & fn's. Just beveled & polished the blunt feed ramp edge.

 

[Paul]

Nice-looking bullets there, Waco. Ever-so-slightly frosted, just how I like 'em! Should be good shooters, so were waiting for results........