Lee Surplus Items 358-185 Info

[32Special]

I called Lee today about the 6 cavity moulds listed on their website as 358-185. They said this was a group buy from the "cast bullets website" (I assume they meant this one) that went bad.

The bullet is similar to Lyman 35864 but lengthened to drop 185 grain bullets. GB went bad because the bullets dropped at 0.359 when they wanted 0.361. The bullet has no GC, one lube groove and a 2R roundnose profile.

The tech told me that the distance from the bullet tip to the crimp groove was 0.540. He thought it had been intended for some sort of rifle bullet.

I had seen some chatter about this bullet on this forum, but no details, so I thought I would post them.

My interest was for a heavy cast bullet for a 38 spl revolver that I have that shoots low. But, I'm still not sure if it would be suitable for my use.

[smlekid]

have a look at the groupbuy results page and look for the 38/200 Webley mould results to see a picture or what the bullet looks like

[32Special]

I did. I assume the bullet came out looking like the RN version shown on one of the drawings.

Can this bullet be seated deep enough to be useful in a 38 spl case or does the nose taper too fast?

[jdgabbard]

From the looks of the 38/200 thread, I would say that yes it would be too long in anything but a 357 mag (maybe?) and a 357 max. But it would most likely still have to be loaded in a 38 spl case.

I have thought about purchasing one of these. But I have thought about trimming cases to 38 s&w case length and shooting in either a 38 spl (if they will fit) or my Model 65.

[smlekid]

I was in that groupbuy and I now have the mould if I get a chance over the weekend I'll size some down to .358" and try seating them in 38 Special cases I would imagine they could be loaded into the 38 cases seated long and used in a 357mag I'll see how they look in my 586 could be a very nice steel plate load

[jdgabbard]

I would love to have one. "IF" they were to seat to a proper depth to fit in a 357mag revolver. I love my mod 65, as it is one of the most accurate wheel guns I've ever had my hands on. A 200gn boolit in front of a healthy dose of H110 or 2400 would make for a mighty snappy varmit round!

[jdgabbard]

Btw, Smlekid. Since you have the mold, if they do fit nicely in a 38spl case to acceptable 357mag length I'd be interested in buying some boolits from you if your interested. I if they seat properly I would like to give them a try before I buy a mold that I would otherwise have no use for. Would only need about a 100 to work up a good load. Let me know what you think.

[smlekid]

G'day mate I would love to send you some bullets but I think it might be a bit hard getting them out of Australia!!! I just sized a couple and tried them in my 586 seated to 1.675" ( the crimp groove) will chamber nicely (38 Special cases) I think they would work OK pushing them through a Lee .358" sizing die leaves a very slight flat on the nose
you might try asking in the 38/200 post maybe someone there could help you out with some bullets

[jhalcott]

Would their be any sense in loading this in a 35 remington TC? I have a 14" contender barrel that needs some use.

[TCFAN]

I just received one of these molds this last week. I have not had a chance to do any casting yet.
Just looking at the mold it is just as 32Special says.
I think it will work real nice in my 357 Herrett 14 inch barrel contender....Terry

[jdgabbard]

G'day mate I would love to send you some bullets but I think it might be a bit hard getting them out of Australia!!! I just sized a couple and tried them in my 586 seated to 1.675" ( the crimp groove) will chamber nicely (38 Special cases) I think they would work OK pushing them through a Lee .358" sizing die leaves a very slight flat on the nose
you might try asking in the 38/200 post maybe someone there could help you out with some bullets

Ahh, You break my heart. I was hoping you were state side. As far as pushing them through a 358 sizer, I use LEE, so I'd just push my through nose first. I will have to post over in the Results board as you mentioned. I'd like to get my hands on a few to try first. You said they pushed through a 358 sizer fine with your alloy? If you go shoot any out of your 357 let me know how they worked for you. Getting kinda excited about this one.