My first gun show molds

[ScottJ]

Picked up a Lee 358-140-SWC two cavity and a Lee 356-111-R single cavity at the show today for $20.

Looking for load suggestions for the SWC for .38 and .357

Hoping I can make the 111 work for .380 ACP. Might be a bit too heavy.

[ScottJ]

A follow-up question on these. They're obviously well used so I would assume the prior owner prepped them correctly.

Should I just start casting with them and hope that's the case or should I do any sort of prep to used molds?

[Nate1778]

I would give it a go and see how they throw. The 111 should work well in the .380, I have shot 115 downrange with no problems. I would have to find my recipe but I do remember it involved Unique.

[ScottJ]

The only .380s I've loaded have been Ranier plated 95 grainers with Bullseye.

My brother likes 2.8 grains and I like 3.0.

I got a Lee Load All 12 gauge loader for Christmas and I was thinking of finding a load with Universal or Unique for shotshell. Would be nice to use the same powder in some of the pistol stuff.

[ScottJ]

I finally got around to trying the gun show molds tonight. I was pleased. Got to dropping good looking boolits right away.

Part of it might have been the 3 ounces of solder I added to my 10 pounds of WW but I was getting some of the prettiest stuff since I started casting.

I only weighed and measured 1 of the 358-140-SWC. It was 139.5 gr and .358. Will shoot as cast.

Checked 4 of the 356-111-R. All 111 gr or just a few tenths more. All .356 or a smidge more. Again will lube up and shoot as cast.

Still wonder if the 111 might not be too heavy for .380. Might try 2.0 gr Bullseye to start.

[HORNET]

FWIW, I've run 125 grainers out of a .380 with healthy doses of Blue dot. I believe I got the data from Speer #11, listed for jacketed 125's.

[Will]

I use the 356-111 in my 380 with 2.4gr BE or RedDot. both shoot better than factory.

[ScottJ]

BE is?

[BABore]

Bullseye!

[ScottJ]

Update, I've only had time to test fire 5 out of my SP101 but 9gr of Accurate No 5 seems to work well for .357 mag with the 358-140-SWC.

[.357]

unique!

[ScottJ]

unique!

Yeah, but that's yet another cannister on my already crowded shelf.

Like 6.1gr No. 5 for my 124gr J-word 9MM and 8.3gr for my J-word 230gr .45ACP.

Now I can just go out an invest in an 8lb jug :)

Probably going to wind up doing that with Bullseye too since I have loads for .380 and 9MM with it showing great promise too.