38 spl Mold recommendation

[soldierbilly1]

I am presently looking at the Lee Bullet Mold 358-150-1R for my 38 special.

can anyone give me a yea or a nay on this one? thanks for the help

billy boy

[Cherokee]

358-150-1R should work fine in your 38 Special. I use the 358-158-RF myself but many RN bullets have been fired in 38 Special.

[DrCaveman]

Should be pretty good, it looks a bit like factory ammo. I like the 158 swc lee, partly because of the tumble lube aspect. I push them to magnum levels with no leading, straight Lee liquid alox.

The BC isn't quite as high with mine, but the holes and paper and flesh are very pronounced.

You just may have to spend more time and energy lubing those. Or, just tumble lube them and you will probably be fine at 38 spl pressures.

[soldierbilly1]

OK, I am just curious about the resulting bullet. Yes, she sure does look like factory ammo!
I usually use the 358 Lee full wadcutters. However, in my club, we use the NuBold targets and they do not like the WC's or the SWC's. They destroy the targets in short order.
So, I need either a round nose or a flat nose/round.
I have the TL's but I prefer the Lyman grease groovers, old school I guess!
thanks
billy boy

[Rhino]

I like the 148grn tumble lube wadcutter for ISSF centrefire match.
I use the 105grn SWC for service and WA1500 matches (PPC)

Also have the Mihec 148 grn HBWC mold - casts nice accurate pills for my S&W model 14.

All cut clean holes in the target, 105 swc also works well sized to .356 for the 9mm.

[TJF1]

Lyman 358477 is a good one. 150 gr.
Terry

[Kraschenbirn]

I shoot that Lee 150 RN, cast from straight WWs and lubed with good ol' 50/50 Alox/beeswax, for practice in my 3" SP101. Load is fairly 'warm'...like close enough to +P to shoot to the same POA as the 135 gr Gold Dots that are my regular 'carry' loads. Accuracy is acceptable...'minute of clay pigeon' from the 15-yard line (double-action)...and, even shooting 75-100 rounds at a session, no apparent leading.

Bill

[MtGun44]

From Lee 358 158 RF is a winner, 358477 from Lyman is a top one, also. Lyman 358429 is
a great design, too. RCBS 38-150-K (now called 38-150-SWC) is a near clone of 358477
and is excellent in .38 Spl and .357 Mag.

Bill

[Hurricane]

Any of the 158 grain cowboy bullets would also be good. Lyman 358665, RCBS 38-158-CM, Lee 358-158-RF, or Saeco 358. They all have the RF nose style.

[ku4hx]

I like the Lee 358-140-SWC in both 38 Special and 357 Magnum. Plain base and very accurate in my guns. Being a nominal 140 grains, I get a few more boolits per pound of alloy.

[Rocky Raab]

Yet another vote for the Lee 158 RF. That is a REALLY good bullet.

[leadshooter5]

Our club uses a plastic honeycomb target backing material and yes, the WC and SWC's destroy it in short order. It also leaves a load of indestructible plastic confetti all over the range. I use the Lyman 358311 RN over 4.2gr of W231 in my S&Ws, or the L357477 for steel swingers. I've had good results with the Lee 120 TC (9mm), but it lacks consistancy.

[soldierbilly1]

I put my order in for my 158 gr RF.

Thanks for all the advice!
Again, super forum! now if only I can learn to hit the center of that damned target!

billy boy

PS: I am always amazed at the accuracy of fixed barrels on revolvers; seems I have grown accustomed to semi auto's!

[MT Gianni]

What do you want it to do? The 158 gr rn is a very accurate bullet. My 358311 is a fine example. It doesn't leave as crisp holes int he target as a swc but is very accurate. I would not use it on game. To punch paper with it is a good shooter.

[1Shirt]

The 158 Lee RF, is a good one. If you want to save a little lead, and it is just for practice, the 125 RF lee is also quite good.
1Shirt!

[ScottJ]

I like the Lee 358-140-SWC in both 38 Special and 357 Magnum. Plain base and very accurate in my guns. Being a nominal 140 grains, I get a few more boolits per pound of alloy.

This was my first .358 mold. Very accurate.

Another bonus is that with old, fixed sight S&Ws which shoot from a 6 o'clock hold with 158s you get POA and POI the same with this boolit loaded to about 850fps (or at least I did anyway).

[45-70 Chevroner]

l+ one for Rhino. I like the 148 gr. TL358 the best. It is simple to load and for target and plinking you just can't beat it. Just crimp it in the last grove on either end. Some like them flush with the case mouth.