New Lee 358-200-RF mold in 1894

[FergusonTO35]

Hey gents. Just noticed Lee now has a 200 grain flat point gas check slug for .357. I've been wanting to try the heavies in my 1894 for awhile but didnt want to drop the change for a "name brand" mold that the gun might not like. My carbine has Micro Groove and likes the Lee 358-158-RF sized to .358 both with and without a gas check. Anybody try this one out yet in their Marlin or other levergun?

[Ben]

New Lee 358-200-RF mold

Can you give us a link to a photo and some details on the mold ?

[Beagle333]

https://fsreloading.com/lee-precisio...-rf-90449.html

Link.

[MBTcustom]

It's a clone of the rcbs 35-200-FN.
If Lee offered this in a 6 cavity mold, wild horses couldn't stop me from buying it. As it is, ho hum.

[FergusonTO35]

So, got any good loads for the RCBS version?

[Beagle333]

NOE has a 5 cav of it.
http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/product...roducts_id=358

[Blackwater]

Well dang it, Fergusson, ya' just cost me some MONEY! Went there, and just couldn't resist ordering one! THANKS. I'll be trying it in my Ackleyized Whelen.

[FergusonTO35]

You sound like me: drop serious change on a rifle in an odd caliber (and Ackley'd to boot) but too cheap to spend more than $20.00 on a mold!!

I wonder what powder might be best for scooting this one along at 1500 fps out of my Marlin. H110 is the only magnum pistol powder I have, the 358-158-RF gets along with it just fine. My favorite .357 powder is Blue Dot but it has been extinct for a few years. Wonder if even a fast rifle powder like SR4759 or 4198 might work?

[JesterGrin_1]

Is that not the clone of an RCBS 35-200 for use in say the 35 Remington and 358 Winchester as it looks a bit odd for a pistol boolit?

[historicfirearms]

Blackwater, please let us know the dimensions that the mold casts. I have a RCBS mold in this boolit and it is great in my 35 remington.

[FergusonTO35]

The Lee site lists it as for the .38 and .357.

[gpidaho]

I happen to have a 357 Handi, 357-77 and a 35 Rem, gotta get me one of these, GP

[sandman228]

I saw this mold and was tempted to order it for my 35 marlin but I don't really want to mess with gas checks . I wonder how it would be without them for mild plinking loads ? right now for plinking im shooting they lyman I think its a 358430 195 gr round nose bullet .

[FergusonTO35]

I've been using the Lee gas checked 158 grain SWC without a check in .38 Special +P for a long time with no problems.

[JesterGrin_1]

The Lee site lists it as for the .38 and .357.

They may list it for the .357 Magnum but if it is a copy of the RCBS 35-200 RNFP/GC then it is really meant for the 35 Remington. But it will need to probably be sized to .359 at least but more likely .360 for a Marlin in either the .38 SP/.357 Magnum or 35 Remington in a Marlin due to the bore dimensions of the Marlin bore.

It could probably be used in .38 Sp,357 Magnum or 357 Max in a Contender or a Break Action single shot or bolt rifle due to the length of said Boolit.

[dubber123]

If they were at all faithful in copying the RCBS boolit, it will have a quite long nose, and I am pretty sure it will either require very deep seating, carrier modification, or both to run through a Marlin 1894. It is a fantastic design, and getting 1,500 fps. from a rifle should be doable. I get that velocity with this boolit from a 9-1/2" .357 revolver, but with above SAAMI pressures.

[MBTcustom]

They may list it for the .357 Magnum but if it is a copy of the RCBS 35-200 RNFP/GC then it is really meant for the 35 Remington. But it will need to probably be sized to .359 at least but more likely .360 for a Marlin in either the .38 SP/.357 Magnum or 35 Remington in a Marlin due to the bore dimensions of the Marlin bore.

It could probably be used in .38 Sp,357 Magnum or 357 Max in a Contender or a Break Action single shot or bolt rifle due to the length of said Boolit.

If you've never tried it in a 38/357 you don't know what you are missing. I love that bullet. IT's your one stop shop for all things 35 caliber.
I'm just hoping they make it in a six cavity!!!!!

[sghart3578]

I can't speak for 35 Remington but it would have to go a long way to beat the NOE 360-180 WFN in my 1894CS. That NOE bullet sized to .360" is amazing.

I will be watching the reviews from you guys closely as I could always use another mold. Who couldn't, right?


Attachment 145084

[JesterGrin_1]

If you've never tried it in a 38/357 you don't know what you are missing. I love that bullet. IT's your one stop shop for all things 35 caliber.
I'm just hoping they make it in a six cavity!!!!!

I would think that it would be a bit long for a Revolver in .357 Magnum unless it was seated deep but if so would it not take up needed case space for powder?

[JesterGrin_1]

I have that mold and it is a good shooting boolit. Not as good as the Hornady 180Gr XTP/HP in my JM Marlin 1894 in .357 Magnum but pretty close. Another plus for the NOE 360-180 WFN is if one needs them they can make them and as far as I know Hornady has stopped production of the Hornady 180Gr XTP/HP at this time.

I can't speak for 35 Remington but it would have to go a long way to beat the NOE 360-180 WFN in my 1894CS. That NOE bullet sized to .360" is amazing.

I will be watching the reviews from you guys closely as I could always use another mold. Who couldn't, right?


Attachment 145084