The best PB boolit for 357

[Onty]

I like big bore revolvers, but it's time to get all around shooter in 357. Since I do not have any 357 mold, I would appreciate if you help me to choose one.

The revolver I am going to shoot (do not have it yet) is S&W 686 Target Champion (or DX if I can grab one). What I need is the mold for practicing boolit, about 160 gr, PB, that you found is the most consistently accurate in various revolvers.

Please advise.

Thanks,

Onty

[lobowolf761]

Try a 158 grn Keith style swc. It work for me.

[Airman Basic]

Heck, try 'em all. That's the fun part.

[Cowboy_Dan]

If you don't mind going heavier, the 358429 works well in my dad's Security Six. My alloy puts it in the mid 170's. Next up is trying it in my brother's Colt Cobra.

[azrednek]

Lee 125RF, its accurate and it stretches the lead supply. It can also be used in 9MM.

[sghart3578]

I am a .357 fanatic with several S&W's. The bullets that get the most use in my guns:

Lee 358-158 RF
NOE 360-180 WFN

These shoot like lasers in my N frames, L frames and K frame. Sized to .358"

They also shoot excellently in my Marlin 1894CS, sized to .360".

Best of luck.

[Ed_Shot]

If it will cast big enough to size to .358, I'd say you'd have a hard time finding a current production mold in the 150~170 gr. range that didn't shoot well in a quality 357. As already mentioned: any Keith style, the Lee 358-158-RF, any of the NOE's, Lyman 358311. Your weapon may like some better than others. My Rugers really like the Lyman 358156 bare-bottom and the 358477.

[FISH4BUGS]

My choice is a Hensley & Gibbs #51. It has a lube groove the size of the Panama Canal so you can drive them hard and still get no leading.
Alos a Hensley & Gibbs # 73 is a VERY accurate bullet. Lighter than you wish but as ARIZREDNEK said it will stetch your lead supply, and it is a very cool looking bullet.
Almost ANYTHING will be good if sized properly.

[HiVelocity]

Onty-

If you're looking for a heavy weight, I'd look at the new Lee 358-200-RF; uncatalogued, mine cost $22 for the 2-cavity;
appears to be a copy of the RCBS 35-200. HV

146712

[Ben]

Since your original post specified a 160 gr. cast bullet ( + or - )
This is my recommendation :

My friend Steve wanted to try some of the NOE 358156 Plain base bullets in his Rossi, 357 Mag. lever action rifle.

He loaded them in 38 Spec. cases. He used 11.0 grs. of 2400.

He shot this group with my bullets at 100 yards with factory sights.

Not bad UUhhhh ?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/TuesdayJuly092013K2groove357.jpg

I have a 2 cav. aluminum NOE mold that drops these bullets at .360 " with ACWW's and is very consistent in weight from cavity to cavity. This is a mold that is certainly very easy to use, the mold has about a 3% - 4% rejection rate..


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/012-23.jpg

This mold has a deeper lube groove than the Lyman 358156. It certainly doesn't seem to harm it in the accuracy dept.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/01178.jpg

[osteodoc08]

My all around favorite 2 have been mentioned already, 358429 and the NOE 360-180 WFN. I find the 358156 above to cycle better in my Marlins when compared to the 358429. It's shape reminds me of a mini 45-270-SAA.

[runfiverun]

another one for the 358477.
it has plain out shot well for me in my revolvers.

[dragonrider]

The most accurate boolit I have for my GP 100 and my Marlin is from NOE 358-135 FN. In 38 or 357 it shoots great. I don't bother with any other molds anymore. Probably going to sell them.

[dragon813gt]

My favorite 357 mold is a MP 359640. It's a 170 grain solid but was also run as a hollowpoint. It runs flawlessly in an 1894C. It's by far the most accurate bullet design I have in this caliber. I routinely shoot it in a 586 pushed by a healthy dose of H110.

For plinking I use another MP mold, 359125. It's 135 grains as a solid. Nice accurate low power round that goes easy on the lead and powder.

I still haven't found a reason to use a gas check w/ a 357. No leading in an 1894C where the velocity is higher than the revolver. Even w/ max loads of LilGun, no longer use it, there was no need for a gas check.

[gwpercle]

I own a bunch of 38/357 moulds, the one that seems to be winning the target accuracy tests is Lyman #358432-160 , this mould comes in two different weights 148 grain and 160 grain, same number -you have to look at them to figure out which one is the 160 grain version. It's a 160 grain ,button nosed, full wadcutter ( the design is like a 148 gr. WC on steroids) . It is a plain base.
I didn't expect much from it , thought the famous Kieth 358429 170 grain SWC would be the most accurate....it wasn't the 358432 beats it out in my model 66 S&W fitted with a red dot sight for testing. It's a heck of a good design that few people know about.
I found mine on ebay but NOE may be making a similar boolit mould....if not it would be a good idea!
This design shoots so well I keep an air-weight J-frame S&W snub nosed revolver loaded with them whenever I'm afield. I have no idea why this boolit is so accurate out of a 2 inch J-frame...but not going to question it, just be happy!
Gary

[S.B.]

If you don't mind going heavier, the 358429 works well in my dad's Security Six. My alloy puts it in the mid 170's. Next up is trying it in my brother's Colt Cobra.
I like this one also.
Steve

[4719dave]

My favorite 357 mold is a MP 359640 have 2 of these

[Echo]

I've used many, and they are all good. YMMV, but it is hard to go wrong w/357.

[lightman]

I like the 358429. I also use the RCBS 150 grain. Both are the Keith type.

[lotech]

Another vote for the original .357 Magnum bullet, the H&G #51.

[Ole Joe Clarke]

Lyman 358156 with gas check.

[Hickok]

Lyman 358429 and Lee 358-158RF shoot great in my .357 Smiths 19's and 686's.

The Lyman 358429 is an excellent long range boolit. I have at times shot 3-4 inch groups for six shots at 100 yds bagged off bench from my 686 with 6 inch barrel. Best I can do with stock sights, and very happy with the results.

[RobS]

I'll suggest the Lee 158 RF as well however I took care of the bevel base on my mold. The mold now drops boolits at around 162 grains and wears a flat base drive band. Nice wide meplat and is accurate for my needs.

[S.B.]

Lyman 358156 with gas check.
Didn't the OP ask about plain based bullets?
Steve

[dragon813gt]

Didn't the OP ask about plain based bullets?
Steve

He did, but there are plain base clones of the 358156.

[Walkingwolf]

I am a .357 fanatic with several S&W's. The bullets that get the most use in my guns:

Lee 358-158 RF
NOE 360-180 WFN

These shoot like lasers in my N frames, L frames and K frame. Sized to .358"

They also shoot excellently in my Marlin 1894CS, sized to .360".

Best of luck.

I use this bullet also, out of WW lead the bullets weigh 160 grain. I have been very happy with this bullet for both SD, and target. The wide metplat is impressive for both. Cuts clean holes, and should ruing a bad guys day.

At velocities under 1000 I have had no leading problems, the bullets seal tight to the bore. For faster speeds bullet coatings would reduce or eliminate it. I do not cast during summer, too hot outside, so I bought some 158 grain Htek coated bullets for hot loads 38/44 in a GP100 38 spl. I am running out of the 4 inch barrel with 14 grains W296 standard primers at 1200fps, and 1300fps at 15 grains. So far not a hint of leading.

The lee RF bullet lubed should be great for target, and powder coated for SD. My ballistics are for 38 spl cases, for 357 a magnum primer should be used and 15 grains would be the starting point.

[MT Gianni]

358477 and what is now a +p+ loading of Unique is my accuracy load for 38's. Check an old Lyman manual, if it won't shoot that the problem is in the gun. I also like NOE 160 wfn pistol bullet, it runs well for a pb.

[308w]

Hickok, what load do you use to get your 358429 grouping like that at a 100? Like minded 686 owners want to know.......

[Super Sneaky Steve]

Onty-

If you're looking for a heavy weight, I'd look at the new Lee 358-200-RF; uncatalogued, mine cost $22 for the 2-cavity;
appears to be a copy of the RCBS 35-200. HV

146712

Wow, I never thought of using that rifle mould for .357 Magnum. What's the drop weight and what data do you use?

[outdoorfan]

I had the 358477 once. Didn't like it. The MP 360640 (150 grain HP'ed; 160 solid) shoots great in the 686 and Rossi trapper. I agree with the pb bullet. If you need a gas check on it, simply attach a pb gc to the base of the pb bullet. Works great.

Btw, the 360-180 is simply an outstanding bullet, as well.

[jonp]

I started using the Lee 90318. A 140gr swc. Works well for target in both 38sp and 357mag for me

[jonp]

Wow, I never thought of using that rifle mould for .357 Magnum. What's the drop weight and what data do you use?
Lee 90449. Click through Titan at the top. They have it and a picture

[Blammer]

go for this one from NOE

http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/product_info.php?cPath=35&products_id=1900

the shallow lube grooves provide plenty of lube and it is very accurate and drops from the mould beautifully.

Ignore the bottom two pics as they are not correct, but the drawing is.

[Leadmelter]

RCBS 150gr K, I did snag a 4 cavity Lyman with a same type cut. The newer type have a rounded nose for easy reloading.
Great bullet from 38SP to full house 357 mag.
Leadmelter

[Uncle R.]

I get scary good results with RCBS 38-162-SWC and 357-180-SIL gas checked bullets in my .357 revolvers, pistol and rifle. Groups you wouldn't believe and absolutely no leading. In my limited testing the only plain base that can give them competition is is the Lyman 358429. It runs right around 170 grs from my blocks with my alloy. Not quite as accurate as the GC RCBS bullets it still shoots very well and gives me no leading with even hot loads. Best of all I don't have to add those expensive gas checks when I lube and size.

I bought a four cavity mould for the 358477 a few years ago. It was my plan to cast plain base 38 SWCs by the bucket full and generate lots of practice ammo for use in teaching my boys to shoot. Unfortunately, accuracy with those 358477s has been dismal. Absolutely terrible - like six inch groups at 25 yards. You'd swear they'd have to be going through the target sideways to shoot that bad, but they make round holes. No matter what I try I can't make 'em shoot for beans. Boolits from any of my other .357 moulds will shoot groups half the size, and most will do better than that.

I like the 358429 a lot. It's become my favorite "general purpose just spending some time at the range" bullet for .38 and .357 revolvers. I still use those expensive gas checks for silhouettes or other applications where ultimate accuracy is needed, but for 90% of my shooting and practice for my boys the 358429 is the one.
Gee - ya think Elmer knew what he was doing? I'm gonna have to get a four cavity mould for it. :bigsmyl2:

Uncle R.

[P Flados]

Lee 90449. Click through Titan at the top. They have it and a picture

I am a fan of this bullet (aka C358-200-RF), but the 200 grs might be heavier than needed for some, and it is a gas check where the OP requested PB.

That said, the gascheck base should not be a "problem" if heavy is ok. I plan to shoot this one a lot at full load 357 Maximum velocities. My first batch out of my 10" TC did fine with ASBB PC coating, 19 grs of I4227 and no gas checks. This bullet is being discussed over at http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?283606-New-LEE-design-358-200-RF


http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=146463&d=1439341987&thumb=1 (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=146463&d=1439341987)

If heavy is not desired, I would recommend going the opposite direction but not too far. Say just below the typical 158 with plenty of choices in the 140 - 150 grn weight range. PC coating lets you push these to full load velocities in the 357 magnum with no concerns for leading.

Since hunting and self defense are not a concern for me, the Lee 358-150-1R round nose was my choice to meet the "just less than typical" description. I have found that I shoot more volume of this bullet than any other.

If I wanted to stick with just one mold and to include hunting, the choice would depend on likely ranges and targets. There is a real trade off between ballistics getting to the target and terminal ballistics.

Give us a better description of the use if you really want good suggestions.

[DrCaveman]

Is Mr Onty still with us or are we just blowing our own bagpipes? Cmon man let the people know you are reading this or it's all just useless repetition

This is my 357 boolit of choice, maybe a bit heavier than what OP is asking for, but does damn fine in front of h110

http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=36-180F-D.png

Cmon dude, feedback is what drives this place

[Hickok]

Hickok, what load do you use to get your 358429 grouping like that at a 100? Like minded 686 owners want to know.......Sorry for the delay in answering.

I know Unique is not the "go to" powder in the .357, but I used it with great results in my .357 magnums.

Lyman #358429 170 gr. ACWW, sized .358"
7gr. Unique, CCI small pistol primer
1170fps out of S&W 686 6 inch barrel

1140 fps out of my S&W Model 19 4 inch barrel