Lee .357 Bulits

[Alan in WI]

I just bought my first .357. It is an EAA Windicator nickel with a 4" barrel. I am looking at Lee 6 cavity molds as I have has good success casting .45 caliber bullets. So which mold do those of you favor if you are using Lee molds? Like I said, this is my first .357 and I need a little help.
Thanks Much!

[CIC]

I prefer the 158 grain TL SWC.

[Larry Gibson]

I prefer the 158 grain TL SWC.

+1 here for plinking and medium velocity 357 loads. For full bore magnum loads the Lee C358-158-SWC would be my choice if I didn't already have the Lyman 358156.

[mdi]

I have 3 Lee molds I use for my 357. One is a 125 gr. RNFP which I can size for my 9mms, 38 Specials, and 357 Magnum. I also have a 158 gr. SWC (without gas check, but I don't see that on the Lee site) and a 158 gr. SWC T/L. All work well as long as they are sized for the gun they will be used in...

[quilbilly]

I have several of the Lee 357 molds. The one I use the most is the 125 gr RF which drops boolits at about 133 gr plus/minus 1 gr. I load that 125 boolit for light loads in my 38 sp. and in my 357 mag. load it for target at about 38+P velocity. The 150 gr RN (drops at 155) is very accurate in my 357 maximum carbine. I hardly use my 158 molds anymore in favor of the 173 Keith boolit from a Lyman mold. The 125 RF also shoots exceedingly well out to 150 yards in my 9mm Luger T/C carbine which is my "walking around rifle" for coyotes when walking the logging roads in the local tree farms. As you can see, I find that 125 to be very versatile and the fact that it drops heavy is fine by me.

[Tom W.]

I got the Lee 158 gr. rf. I'm happy with it.

[Grmps]

For plinking, I like 38 spcl brass with .358-148-WC LEE-6 over some HS-6

[bstone5]

Load a 125 grain cowboy action bullet with 4 grains of Trail Boss for 38!Special for my wife to shoot in her 357 revolver. My wife likes to shoot and can keep me busy reloading for her.
I have the two cavity mold and cast with an automated Master Caster, usually casting 2000 bullets at a time. The cast bullets are powder coated and a home made gas check is installed on the plain base cast bullets. Shooting should be a fun thing to do and low recoil is a big plus in having fun.

[10gaOkie]

I have the 125gr RF in a 6-cavity mold. I shoot this bullet in my 9mm and .357. I size to .358 for my .357. Really a nice mold dropping consistant bullets. /Chris

[hornady308]

I love the 358-158-rf as a do-all bullet. I've tried the C358-158-swc in several 357's with disappointing results when compared to the 358156.

[Hick]

The Lee 358-150-1R is also a nice one. I don't use the 158 grain TL SWC because I already have the old Ideal/Lyman 358156GC-- which is a great 38 Special and 357 Magnum bullet.

[paul edward]

What is your intended application?

[762X51]

Like others here, I too use the Lee 358-125-RF. It has proven to be very accurate in .38 Specials in my GP100. I also have the 148 wadcutter, the discontinued 150 SWC, the 358-158RF and the 158 SWC gas check molds but the 125RF is now my do it all projectile as I use it in .38 Special, .357 Magnum and 9mm all with great success.

[sandman228]

Im surprised noone mentioned the lee 105 swc mold its a nice plinker and its easy on the lead supply .

[Cherokee]

I recommend the 358125RF and the 358158RF, 6 cavity is the way to go. Good bullets.

[Ed_Shot]

Another vote for the Lee 358-158-RF. As already mentioned, 9MM boolits are excellent choices for both 38 Spl and .357 plinkers. Lee's 356-125-2R is a real winner for 38/357.

[WebMonkey]

358-158-rf for me too!
I powder coat mine and like the bevel base

[Alan in WI]

THANKS for all the help. For now I decided to go with the 358-158-RF. I may buy a lighter bullet mold in the future. I plan on taking this gun and load up to Alaska Fishing. This year I caught a 300 pound halibut and it was just by pure luck that another boat from our camp wasgoing by just as I got it to the surface. They pulled up and we harpooned it then they shot it for me. This coming year I will be prepared.

[RogerDat]

I prefer the 158 grain TL SWC. Plus 1 from me too.
Powder coat if you want to push it a bit. Sized post PC it has proved to be a most accurate .38/.357 bullet. Better than store bought.
The flat nose allows it to be used in lever action if you should someday be so inclined. Speed loads faster than full WC punches paper better than RN.

[JBinMN]

I see ya already made up your mind... But...
;)


I prefer the 158 grain TL SWC.


+1 here for plinking and medium velocity 357 loads. For full bore magnum loads the Lee C358-158-SWC would be my choice if I didn't already have the Lyman 358156.


Plus 1 from me too.
Powder coat if you want to push it a bit. Sized post PC it has proved to be a most accurate .38/.357 bullet. Better than store bought.
The flat nose allows it to be used in lever action if you should someday be so inclined. Speed loads faster than full WC punches paper better than RN.



+4 Ditto on the TL 358-158 SWC

And another vote for the 148 Gr TL WC

G'Luck!
:)

[Jniedbalski]

I have almost all of the lee molds in 358 cal. My favorite also is the 125 rf I need to get the 105swc and the 158 swc gc bollet and I will have them all

[The Dar]

I too like the 158gn RF. It has shot well in all 3 of my 357 mags. My second favorite Lee 358 bullet would be the 140gn SWC. Am I the only one here that shoots it? Great bullet in 38 Special and makes a light target bullet in the 357mag. My wife shoots better than I do with it. She really likes them because once powder coated she says, "they look like crayons".

Good choice with the 358-158-RF, I'm sure you'll be pleased with it. Keep us posted.

[reddog81]

358-140 SWC my favorite also. In .38 special it is hard to beat for accuracy. I haven't tried it in .357 magnum loads but I'm guessing it'll do OK.