RD 358-175 T/L 6 cav

CWLONGSHOT

CWLONGSHOT

Well-Known Member
Im a Ranch Dig Mold fan. I watch for them and when I find one I like, I try to buy. Buddy txted me yesterday with an alert to three for sale! I was able to grab a LEE RD marked, 358-175 tl. 6 cav. Appears ta be BRAND NEW!!

Sending PMO today requesting delayed ship till aft holidays. ( Its stupid crazy now)

But Im excited. I have borrowed a 180 6 cav version and picked up a 2 cav 180 last summer. I haven't used the 175, but high hopes.

Merry Christmas

CW
 
Joshua

Joshua

Taco Aficionado/Salish Sea Pirate/Part-Time Dragon
I saw that mold yesterday. I hemmed and hawed, decided I didn’t need anything for my revolvers that needs a gas check. I had the opportunity but didn’t jump. Glad you got it!
JM
 
CWLONGSHOT

CWLONGSHOT

Well-Known Member
Yea, Im and have been moving away from GC designes when I am able. The RD is a sweetheart and most where GC bullets. Times change before PC it was more necessary then today with Powder Coating. Its a labor and cost that for me simply isnt needed.

We have had the conversation before. But in my own limited reality a GC bullet shoots best with a GC. The lone exception seems to be very light loadings. Those seem to shoot regardless.

I have tiried taking suggestions but each and every time a GC on a GC Bullet shot best many times by allot.

Im excited to try this lighter version.
CW
 
JonB

JonB

Halcyon member
I had a large selection of 6 cav. Lee RD molds. I bought a few from Michael when he was in the thick of that side-gig. Later on, when he closed that down and closed out a bunch of stuff, I bought a bunch of molds, that was a great investment. All that were excess to my needs have been sold, except the two 41 cal molds, I'll never part with those. I still have a 35/9mm, 135gr GC style, that is surely one I could part with.
I had the 35 190gr that was half and half (PB/GC), I wouldn't have sold it, but someone wanted it lots more than I did, so before I shipped it, I cast a big ole pile of 'em.
 
JWFilips

JWFilips

Well-Known Member
If any one has a handle on some one selling the Ranch Dogs 6 cavity 75 grain .32 acp mould Please let me know.
This bullet rocks in all my old .32 acp pistols. My old friend Jerry Cunningham from Carolina Cast bullets bought that mould and used to cast these for me before I ever poured any lead! back in my ealy days of cast bullet shooting
 
J

Jeff H

NW Ohio
I ordered this one Christmas Eve, or thereabouts. I"m not sure if it's one of Michael's designs or a copy, as I've never seen one of his in 158 grain. I"m a big fan of Michael's moulds/designs as they have WORKED for me in every caliber I've tried. They seem to make load development easy. SO, here goes.....


1609531876743.png

358-158 RF Ranch Dog Clone

arsenalmolds.com arsenalmolds.com

I've been testing and messing around for several years, looking for the perfect ONE almost perfect 357 bullet I can use for almost everything, which is easy to cast a lot of, easy to lube/size (if even necessary) and had high hopes for the LEE 358-158 TL SWC. It's worked great in some things and just OK in others. Primary consideration is excellent accuracy in a carbine, which is where it was pretty ho-hum in SEVERAL carbines. LEE's 358-158 RFN shot better in everything and is a good bullet for most things, but it didn't wow me in terms of accuracy in either revolver OR carbine. It was OK, but not amazing. I've yet to stumble onto a "one ragged hole at fifty yards" design for my carbine.

I cast for a friend as well as my brother, and we all have revolvers and carbines. I have my fingers crossed that this will be that ONE which does most everything for all three of us.

I've had such good luck with all of my RDO moulds (.225", 311", .313", 358", .432") that I was actually ready to give up on the 158 grain weight and start looking for a copy of the 175 @CWLONGSHOT found. I ran across this one at Arsenal Molds and I have been VERY happy with the one other mould I've purchased from them, so here goes nothin'. I'm going to try it.

I went for 4C aluminum/NO GC.

@CWLONGSHOT , if you want to try this one once I get it and get it going, let me know. I can send you some to mess with.

By the way, Arsenal makes the mould you order. I've seen a lot of designs I like at NOE, and I LOVE their moulds, but I've only ONCE ever been abl to get one of their moulds and I did have to compromise and take what was in stock. Shame. They have nice designs. My covid-extended wait for the Arsenla mould is 3-4 weeks, which isn't bad. First one came in I think about a week.
 
J

Jeff H

NW Ohio
JWFilips said:
..... Ranch Dogs 6 cavity 75 grain .32 acp mould.................
Click to expand...

I've bought several moulds from Michael directly - personal moulds he was done with. He keeps his moulds in NICE shape. He has listed them occasionally at his LEE LOADER site. You could also post a "WTB" there. There isn't a lot of traffic there but a few loyal hold-outs (some familiar names) are fairly regular. Michael's always been good to me and is as kind a soul as a good mould designer.

I don't get a "cut." I just like the guy. He's been good to me and I love his moulds.

 
JWFilips

JWFilips

Well-Known Member
Ranch Dog bullets hit like hammers. I love shooting them subsonic especially when our range is full.
It freaks the folks out because they hear the rifle report and the "loud twack" of the bullet hitting the backer!
Ranch Dogs are the only ones that sound that way!
 
Glaciers

Glaciers

Alaska Land of the Midnight Sun
CWLONGSHOT said:
Now Im hunting for the 30/30 RD mold!!

CW

Might as well just grab a Arsenal copy. I prefer PB anyhow...
Click to expand...

Just ordered this mold from Jared Thursday along with a 70 grain 257 caliber mold for the 25-20. I ordered the 30 cal with 50/50 gas check - plain base. This will be my 3rd Arsenal mold, nice work, good prices. They do seem to be backed up currently, but it's still dark and cold out, so a little wait won't hurt.
 
P

popper

Well-Known Member
I used Carolina for a while also, good but ran into seating and CG problem in 336. Try 31-168C (PB) or 184C (GC). RD (from Michael) & Carolina gave me problems with loading gate. Very slight bevel on meplat allows feeding in AR also. Not on purpose but found the ogive very similar to 150gr GD. Slick sided for PC but works fine with BLL too.
 
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CWLONGSHOT

CWLONGSHOT

Well-Known Member
I got a email from Arsenal today my order is in process!!! (311-170RD)

Hoping that means the mold was instock!?!

I was comparing the "new" mold to the old bullets cast with the loaner mold. I added a 360-181 NOE as its another favorite. I should have taken a shot from above. The 175 actually has the largest meplat!
(All these bullets are culls)

516F1C2D-9C68-4C37-934C-8C2B31F95B69.jpeg
 
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JWFilips

JWFilips

Well-Known Member
Hard for me to find interesting threads on that Lee loader forum I can comment on!
looks like I have 3 more before I can start a topic!
 
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