Looking for input on 158gr SWC

[Petrol & Powder]

Hey I'm new to the Forum and seeking advice. I'm looking for a SWC mold for 38 Special in the 158gr range. It looks like the new Lyman 358477 is popular but not the only choice. I want a flat base, no gas check and something that shoots well at lower velocity. Any advice would be welcome. Thanks

[HATCH]

The 358477 is a great mold.
I have one that i used for a little while.
I stopped using it only because I got a master caster.

I got a few 4c molds that i don't use anymore because of the master caster

sent from my mobile.

[Petrol & Powder]

Thanks, any advice on 2 cavity vs. 4 cavity?

[HATCH]

Its just personal preference.
4c is heavier and some people don't like the extra weight.
I like the extra two boolits over the 2c

I would say the only 2c i have besides the master caster ones for the machine are MPMOLDS

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[DrCaveman]

In my experience the lee tl358-158 swc shoots great at 38/38+p velocities. Had some decent success at higher vel but other shapes were better. Decided that the lee tl358-158 is my go-to for 38 spl HD loads. About 5 gr unique is a solid load.

[rockshooter]

you might also consider some other brands of molds. I have both the NEI and NOE versions of that bullet and prefer them since they cast .360. The Lyman 4-holer that I have stored somewhere casts .357.
Loren

[MtGun44]

I primarily use RCBS 38-150-K ( now called 38-150-SWC) or 358477 - which are nearly identical, RCBS has
a square bottomed lube groove, but one will essentially drop snugly into the cavity of the other mold. Another
great choice, but not SWC is the Lee 358-158-RF which works really well for me, too. Elmer's 358429 is also
a superb design, but was intended for .38 Spl (invented before .357 Mag was) and a few .357s have cylinders
too short to take it when crimped in the crimp groove. Some report good results from crimping over the front
band, I have never needed to try it, so no personal experience with this short LOA crimping.

Bill

[runfiverun]

i done the opposite of hatch and quit using my 2 cav on my master caster when i got my 4 cav mold.
the 477 is stable down to [and probably below] 700 fps
i used to sit and shoot my gong at 200 yds with the 477 at 750 fps muzzle velocity.
the same load and gun would swing the 1-1/2" squares at 30 yds as long as i could hold things steady.

[MakeMineA10mm]

You may also want to check the swapin' & selling forum, vendor sponsor, and group buy areas. There have been some great 158gr SWCs designed here. I use one that was based on a plain base version of Lyman's 358156 with the lube groove made bigger and re-centered so the rear band and middle band were balanced. It shoots fantastic.

[HATCH]

i done the opposite of hatch and quit using my 2 cav on my master caster when i got my 4 cav mold.


Well this is my master caster

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=7sTJ1mtmqQg
As you can tell from the video its automated. I can be sizing up boolits or reloading or just watching TV while it spits out 2 boolits every 10.5 seconds....

If it wasn't for that automation I would be still using my 4C lymans cause they are really nice to cast with.

[Petrol & Powder]

All good info. Thanks, Whats NEI and NOE?

[HATCH]

NEI MOLDS = http://www.neihandtools.com/
NOE MOLDS = http://noebulletmolds.com/orders/catalog/index.php

They are both boolit mold makers.

[williamwaco]

I like the 358477 and the Lee 358-158-SWC and Lee 358-158-RF

If you want lots of bullets fast, select a Lee 6 cylinder model.
Otherwise the two cavities are fine.

I do not like the Lyman 4 cavities, They are too heavy and I find the awkward to use.
.


.

[NoZombies]

I like, and use the Lyman 358-477 as well. I have the 4 cavity, and prefer it. I've also got the older style, with a less rounded meplat. It shoots quite well in most of my .38's. I've got a number of other SWC molds in the same weight range, and have been pleased with most of them. I gave up on the 358-446, as I couldn't get it to shoot. I've also got one of the Lee 6 cavity 158-RF molds that someone had made into a 6 cavity HP mold. the bullets drop at about 145 grains, and they shoot darn well in everything I've tried.

William Waco, I wonder if you've tried the 4 cavity molds with the newer plier type handles, as apposed to the older nut-cracker types? I found they made a big difference in usability of the 4 cavity molds for me.

[runfiverun]

i really like the plier type handles red river rick makes.
i don't mind the nutcracker handles on some molds, and on others they are like wrestling a boomerang.

[GP100man]

I have a few molds of the Lyman 357446, some designs of Lymans has "floated" a bit & this is 1 of em .

In the pic is 2 357446 molds but as ya can see the front bands are different ,the smaller front band likes more pressure than the other.

http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx110/GP100man/102_0489.jpg

[Larry Gibson]

I've used the 358477 + many other similar SWCs for 40+ years in the 38 SPL. The last couple years I've had excellent success with the Lee TL358-158-SWC. It is every bit a accurate as the others at 38 SPL velocties and the 6 cavity mould is a real bonus when casting.

Larry Gibson

[Reloader06]

I'll throw an H&G 51 into the mix. My favorite 158ish SWC.

Matt

[Petrol & Powder]

All good info, THANKS
I ordered a RCBS 358-150-SWC mostly because of the "square" bottom lube groove (more Keith like was my justification) I figure I'll try that for awhile and if it casts the needed diameter and shoots well. I may seek a four or six cavity mold later. A couple of my guns seem to shoot 158gr better than 148gr HBWC; not sure why because the HBWC is usually the accuracy winner. I'm just guessing that I'm going to want something that casts closer to 158gr. In the the words of Gust Avrakotos, "We'll See".
Thanks for the education and assistance

[MtGun44]

You will be very pleased with the RCBS mold, they are top quality and that mehanite is super
material. That is a great design, the only flaw is the 2 cav mold limit.

Bill

[Cherokee]

I have used Lyman 358477 for over 40 years in 38 & 357. Great bullet in slow or hot loads. Lately I have also taken a liking to Lee 358158RF which is also very accurate and easy to cast, but I haven't tried it in very lite loads. I used the RCBS 38-150K (swc) years ago and it was fine, but only 2 cavity - I like 4 or 6 cavity.

[lesharris]

I use the Lee 6 cavity 358-158 molds both tumble lube and non tumble versions. The 6 cav molds , since they are made from aluminum turn out large amounts of usable boolits quickly. The boolits shoot well also.
I have used them in 38 specials and 357 magnum,and will try them as light weight boolits in the 35 Remington,in order to save some on lead usage in practice.

[wv109323]

There is a group buy going on at this time with the mold maker Mi-hec. The topic is listed under the Mi-hec 358156 or 360156 Heading. There is like 335 responses but there was enough of us that wanted the same configuration as you do to justify another run of molds. Look at the bullet design on the first page and then skip to the end if you are interested in ordering. You can get the mold in .358 or .360 diameter, 2 or 4 cavity, with or without a hollow point. I have a plain base, solid point 4 cavity ordered for $90.00 plus $20.00 shipping. The Mi-hec are second to none with top of the line machining. Just another option to consider.

[Petrol & Powder]

I'm afraid the budget is shot for now. Maybe the Mi-hec or some other custom mold will be in my future. I'm hoping the RCBS will drop .359" bullets. It looks like if I need a slightly bigger cavity there are custom makers out there that can provide those; and in 4 or 5 cavity set-ups.

"Live each day as though it was your last; one day you're sure to be right", Harry "Breaker" Morant

[williamwaco]

I'll throw an H&G 51 into the mix. My favorite 158ish SWC.

Matt


That would be Ballisti-Cast 651 If you are interested.

I like it too.


.

[Petrol & Powder]

Well I'm hooked! UPS delivered my gear today and I started playing with it. The 358-150 RCBS dies work great! As cast, they come out at .359-.360" and weigh 157.3gr using Lyman #2 alloy. Thanks for everyone's advice. Now I need to "empty" some 38 special brass so that I'll have somewhere to put those bullets. That part shouldn't be too difficult.

[MtGun44]

RCBS molds are very rarely criticized for any sort of quality issue. Very good molds.

Bill