Lee 358-158-RF suggestions

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

I don't own a mould drops a prettier bullet. BUT I have tried these in 5 different guns and the results are disappointing. All of these loads have been either HS-6 or Unique. Most groups have been 4-6" from a rest at 20 yards. With these guns I typically shoot 1.5-3" groups. The only guns that can't consistently shoot sub 2" are snubnoses. The point is, it's not the gun or the shooter. I've only shot about 5 different loads. But I'm just amazed at having nothing that suggests I'm moving in the right direction in any of the five guns. I have been considering some low level H110 357 loads. These are cast from range scrap (hard stuff - not jacketed) and water dropped. I can't scratch them with a fingernail. None of the loads have given me leading issues. They are sized to 0.358". Any thoughts?

[RickinTN]

I've had pretty good luck with that bullet although I've not worked with it extensively. I would probably start by air-cooling the bullets and maybe try them with a medium charge of Clays powder (the only powder I've tried with them). I'm thinking your alloy may be too hard.
Good Luck,
Rick

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

Before anyone says it, yes I am aware of the issues with light loads and H110. I am not suggesting dropping available data.

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

Well Rick, I could easily reduce the hardness. I have plenty of pure lead to water it down with. Could air cool it as you suggest. But I'm always looking for a way to use up the soft stuff. Thanks for the suggestion.

[MtGun44]

Try softer.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=50443&d=1244513091

I get this kind of accy with 16.something grains of H110, too. In multiple guns.

This is the same mold - couldn't remember the correct designation at the range, just put down what
it looked like. I have gotten excellent results with it, and never find any benefit from what I call
"silly hard" boolits in any of my pistols. Another thing to look at is lube. What are you using?
I have had uniformly good results from NRA 50-50 and LBT soft blue, plus some red home-made
from .357 Max, (here).

Bill

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I don't own a mould drops a prettier bullet. BUT I have tried these in 5 different guns and the results are disappointing. All of these loads have been either HS-6 or Unique. Most groups have been 4-6" from a rest at 20 yards. With these guns I typically shoot 1.5-3" groups. The only guns that can't consistently shoot sub 2" are snubnoses. The point is, it's not the gun or the shooter. I've only shot about 5 different loads. But I'm just amazed at having nothing that suggests I'm moving in the right direction in any of the five guns. I have been considering some low level H110 357 loads. These are cast from range scrap (hard stuff - not jacketed) and water dropped. I can't scratch them with a fingernail. None of the loads have given me leading issues. They are sized to 0.358". Any thoughts?

How many trips to the range ?
If just one...
Then I'll add that somedays, I just can't hit the target...somedays, I just can't miss.
Try again...and Yeah, I don't think water dropping is necessary...I'd suggest getting to a hardness of 9 or 10 BHN for loads under 25Kpsi

[DLCTEX]

If you can find it with the shortage, try Bullseye. My most accurate loads are with it.

[Thumbcocker]

4.5 of red dot has worked for me in several .357's.

[Cherokee]

I have found this boolit to be very accurate with HS6 for midrange and a little higher, and 231 for target/plinking use in three 357's. Mine are cast from 2% tin 3% antimony and air cooled, sized to .358" and lubed with LsStuff CR (see link at bottom of page). Rested groups hover around 1", 2-handed groups run around 2.5-3".

[Ed_Shot]

The 358-158-RF over Promo / Red Dot 5.0 gr. will cloverleaf for me at 50 yds using both my 1894 and H&R. It's a fine pistol load too. I size to .358 w/WL 2500+ lube.

[Blammer]

I would try 3 things not all together mind you.

1. don't water drop them
2. size to .359 or .360 if possible
3. bluedot

[lwknight]

I found that when I use hard cast bullets that are more than 1/1000 over the slug size accuracy goes out the window.
I have the Lee 358158RN and it drops at a healthy .358 so I size to .357 in my GP100 that slugged .356.
It shoots the same hold with just about any light load I ever tried. I never tested then with full power .357 loads though.

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

Well, better luck this time. I took the advice that they might be too hard. I didn't air cool them (I still have a bunch already made up that are water quenched). What I did was push them a lot harder. They shot 2" groups at 20 yards (from a bag) out of my 686 with both 15.0 and 15.5 gr H110. The same gun was shooting 6"+ groups with using 4.0-4.0 gns of Unique loads in 38 spl cases. That's a huge improvement. I may kick them up to 16.0 (H110 in 357) to see what they do. But I'm pretty happy with the improvement. Thanks to everyone.
Next time I pour a batch, I will try air cooling.

[glockky]

I have had good results with power pistol and this bullet

[wv109323]

I found that in my .38 Spec. Model 14, I had to get the velocity up. I use 4.5 gns. of WW231.

[ubetcha]

I found that in my .38 Spec. Model 14, I had to get the velocity up. I use 4.5 gns. of WW231.


I use 4.0gr of 231 in my 4" 357 Ruger Security Six with an alloy of 2ww-1pb unsized with R5R's Simple Lube.

[rhead]

My pistols and rifles both like them with around 90% max loads of 2400. they seem to like a gentle push at the start. At least in my guns. mine were water dropped. Left at .359 as they come out of the mould.

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

UPDATE: I air cooled some. These were 3:1 (hard range scrap-pure lead). With 4 grains of Unique my 38 special groups averaged a bit over 2.25". Just need to do a little tweeking to find the sweet spot. Really like the 357 mag with 15.5 gr of H110 over the harder cast too.

Thanks to all for the recommendations!

[MtGun44]

Everyone needs to keep this in mind when someone is telling you
about the ADVANTAGES of water dropping everything and that
"hard cast shoot best".

Not always, in my experience.

Bill

[RickinTN]

Glad it's working better for you. Hard alloys have their place, but usually not in sedate plinking handgun loads.
Rick

[Messy bear]

I have had good luck with it in special cases and 3.5 to 3.8 gr bullseye and a win sp.