Suggestions for a 357 mag mold
- Thread starter Will
- Start date
I have lots of .38 Cal molds, everything seems to work in .357Mag, I do favor bullets from 140grs to 180grs.
I can't seem to really pick a Favorite. Maybe the Lyman #358156 (158gr) over max charge of 2400, or the Saeco #354 (180gr) over max 2400. Both Gas Check designs.
For a heavy target load, I like the Lyman #358429 over A stout charge of Unique. I also use the same bullet in .38-44 loads.
For light plinking/target load I like the Lyman #358477 over Bullseye. Or Maybe the Lee #358-158-RF, I loaded it for My Kids Cowboy Guns in light .38Spl loads and heavier loads for unspecified use in CALIFORNIA.
And finally the old "Original". 357Mag #358446, never really used it. If I wanted a hot load I went with the #358156GC. Just following in My Dad's Footsteps.
Of course N.O.E. ,Accurate and Arsenal make GREAT Molds. Many more good choices.
RCBS Too.
Do you want a clean hole in paper or a hard-hitting FP to put down an animal ?
Sorry, but I can't give you a single solid choice.
I can't decide myself, always had too many choices.
And for just plain plinking, the Lyman #358311 Round Nose. It just looks old fashioned and the rounds just drop into the chambers so smoothly.
Sorry
I can't seem to really pick a Favorite. Maybe the Lyman #358156 (158gr) over max charge of 2400, or the Saeco #354 (180gr) over max 2400. Both Gas Check designs.
For a heavy target load, I like the Lyman #358429 over A stout charge of Unique. I also use the same bullet in .38-44 loads.
For light plinking/target load I like the Lyman #358477 over Bullseye. Or Maybe the Lee #358-158-RF, I loaded it for My Kids Cowboy Guns in light .38Spl loads and heavier loads for unspecified use in CALIFORNIA.
And finally the old "Original". 357Mag #358446, never really used it. If I wanted a hot load I went with the #358156GC. Just following in My Dad's Footsteps.
Of course N.O.E. ,Accurate and Arsenal make GREAT Molds. Many more good choices.
RCBS Too.
Do you want a clean hole in paper or a hard-hitting FP to put down an animal ?
Sorry, but I can't give you a single solid choice.
I can't decide myself, always had too many choices.
And for just plain plinking, the Lyman #358311 Round Nose. It just looks old fashioned and the rounds just drop into the chambers so smoothly.
Sorry
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RBHarter
West Central AR
My inner cheapskate agrees with my quality of results mandate on this one . I've shot it in 6 guns and cartridges with better results across the 5 than the dozen or so others that shine so bright in one but leave so much on the table in others .
I humbly offer the Lee 358-158 RNFP .
Big Honking flat nose easy to cast , easy loading , and under $60 for a 6 hole .
I've loaded them in 38 Short , 9mm , 9×23R (really it was just a test to see how much I could salvage a split mother 357 case) , 38/357 and 358 Win . Mostly with Unique but I did send a few in 357 with H110 .
I humbly offer the Lee 358-158 RNFP .
Big Honking flat nose easy to cast , easy loading , and under $60 for a 6 hole .
I've loaded them in 38 Short , 9mm , 9×23R (really it was just a test to see how much I could salvage a split mother 357 case) , 38/357 and 358 Win . Mostly with Unique but I did send a few in 357 with H110 .
462
California's Central Coast Amid The Insanity
I have a six-cavity version of Lee's 358-158 RNFN from which I removed its bevel base. It sees action in a 6 1/2" Blackhawk, a 5 1/2" New Vaquero, a 24" Rossi 92/EMF Hartford Sporting Rifle, and a .38 Special 24" Uberti 1866 Sporting Rifle.
Right now, I have 4500 of them cast and stored, at least another 300 loaded and another 1500 sized and lubed, and have shot unknown thousands more, and will be casting more this coming Winter.
I've tried semi-wadcutters (don't shoot with a darn from the lever actions), Lyman's 358311 but could never get the "inherent" accuracy its backers claim, and three wadcutters of flat and button nose designs.
Right now, I have 4500 of them cast and stored, at least another 300 loaded and another 1500 sized and lubed, and have shot unknown thousands more, and will be casting more this coming Winter.
I've tried semi-wadcutters (don't shoot with a darn from the lever actions), Lyman's 358311 but could never get the "inherent" accuracy its backers claim, and three wadcutters of flat and button nose designs.
CWLONGSHOT
Well-Known Member
I agree with 762, I also gotta say even as Im not a huge LEE guy. The 358-158 is a darn nice bullet for cheap...
if ya want lighter the 358-125 has been great in my 357 Sig G 24 shooting Coyotes!!
CW
if ya want lighter the 358-125 has been great in my 357 Sig G 24 shooting Coyotes!!
CW
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CWLONGSHOT
Well-Known Member
i have a 375 mold from LEE thats like that. My buddy machined off the base to make a flat base. Worked perfect but I did loose some
Weight...
CW
KeithB
Resident Half Fast Machinist
For a low cost mold that will rain bullets try either the Lee 125gr or 158gr RF designs in a six cavity version. I love the 358429 in .38 but my GP100 won't let me crimp in the crimp groove, the loaded round is about .010" too long so I use the 358477. All good designs IMHO I think it is fit more than design that is the key. I have a 358156, good design but hate messing with gas checks on most pistol bullets.
If you mill off the top of a mold to remove the GC or bevel base you certainly lighten up the bullet, If you ream out the cavity you make the bullet slightly heavier. Either process is fine to remove GC or bevel bases but the end result is slightly different.
If you mill off the top of a mold to remove the GC or bevel base you certainly lighten up the bullet, If you ream out the cavity you make the bullet slightly heavier. Either process is fine to remove GC or bevel bases but the end result is slightly different.