New LEE design: 358-200-RF

[P Flados]

I got mine in the mail today.

Yes the fit & finish go with the "Precision" in the "Lee Precision" ever so much better than 5 molds I bought several years ago.



Plan to use it in my 357 maximums.

The TC was never in question and it looks like it will work in my Dan Wesson with room to spare.

My gun can handle 2.14" OAL. My cases are right at 1.60". This leaves 0.54" max extension out of the case.

If I only use half the crimp groove, extension looks to be 0.49". The 0.05" margin should be plenty.

For other options, a 38 special case is around 1.15", so OAL with crimp in groove could be around 1.64". This is 0.09" beyond standard 38 special OAL (1.55") and 0.05" over the book value for 357 mag OAL (1.59").

If you crimp over the end of the full diameter portion, you can probably reduce bullet extension by 0.08" for a magnum revolver with a shorter cylinder. The shortest you can get for OAL with std cases would be 1.15 + 0.41 = 1.56" in a special case

Shortest for a magnum case would be 1.29 + 0.41 = 1.70".

FYI, if you just need a little bit extra on diameter, don't forget that PC coating is an alternate to fussing at trying to get bigger out of the mold.

[Pereira]

Mine arrived yesterday, and I tried it out earlier today.

Weighed quite a few, and all came in between 202.0 & 202.4

Don't have my mic.,let my neighbor borrow it Sun., so couldn't measure 'em.
Now just need to do a little pc'ing

[P Flados]

My guns have always been very happy with 19 grs of I4227 or 20 grs of 296 in front of a Speer 200. If I held right I connected and every ram I hit at 200 m fell clean.



Lets see how they like something new in front. Friday at the range is the plan.

[P Flados]

I saw this thread a short time ago and have been watching and waiting. Has anyone tried these in a Ruger Maximum using Max brass? basically wondering if the cylinder can accommodate the loaded boolit seated to the crimp groove. If not, I'd be more than willing to pay for a few and test fit them myself, from someone who has a few spares, and then report back on this thread. Thanks for any info on this! - Thanks Bill in MA

Bill, what is the max OAL that will work in the Ruger.

As you can see from my post last night, the fit is Ok in my DW.

The load shown below came out at 2.08". And as previously noted, crimping over the end of the little shoulder will shave around 0.08" so you can get an OAL of right at 2.00" if you want.

[msp2640]

Thank you for the previous posts, I planned on digging the Ruger out of the safe, to measure the cylinder, but life got in the way. I have some older commercial cast 210 Gr LFNGCs (very similar profile to the new Lee mould) that I used in my Marlin 35 Rem years ago and when time allows, may seat one to the same OAL as your measurements just to confirm the cylinder fit - Thanks Bill

[jonp]

This one looks like a winner for both my BH and 35 Whelen Handi

[Super Sneaky Steve]

I just became aware of this new mould.

I'm interested in shooting it in a .38spl with .38spl safe data.

Does anyone find this type of load practical for anything?

[str8shot426]

I just became aware of this new mould.

I'm interested in shooting it in a .38spl with .38spl safe data.

Does anyone find this type of load practical for anything?

I am in The process of working up loads with this bullet in .38 special.. Stay tuned full report coming.

[Super Sneaky Steve]

I am in The process of working up loads with this bullet in .38 special.. Stay tuned full report coming.

I look forward to hearing your report. I'd be interested in your OAL's too.

I measured all my 357 caliber cylinders and my GP100 is the longest so far.

[P Flados]

38 Sp - 200 gr

1976 WW manual has

• 3.8 gr 231, 770 fps, 15500 cup
• 7.2 gr 630, 780 fps, 15500 cup

Old Dupont manual (85?)
1.50" OAL, 6" barrel

• 3.0 gr 700x, 725 fps, 15000
• 4.6 gr 800x, 725 fps, 15500
• 3.4 gr PB, 760 fps, 15800
• 3.5 gr SR7625, 755 fps, 15800
• 4.3 gr SR4756,740 fps, 15700
• 9.2 gr I4227, 870 fps, 15900

I found Alliant loads at http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/de...Powder&Source=

WW has 357 data with

• 5.5 gr 231, 1060 fps, 42500 cup
• 10.8 gr 630, 1270 fps, 40000 cup
• 12.4 gr 296, 1335 fps, 35000 cup

Dupont had 357 data, but none topped 1000 fps, so I did not bother.

[goblism]

anyone try this in 35 remington like a marlin 336?

[gtgeorge]

anyone try this in 35 remington like a marlin 336?

Post 19 maybe?

It was in a Marlin 336 @ build date 1976. I have shot quite a few around the load listed but haven't had time to dial it in any better.

[str8shot426]

I just became aware of this new mould.

I'm interested in shooting it in a .38spl with .38spl safe data.

Does anyone find this type of load practical for anything?

here is one at 1.61 overall length. I shot these in a 357. I don't believe they will work in a 38 cylinder.
Trying some unique powder, first test at 3.0 grain charge is pretty tame and not accurate enough for my taste. Have some more tests loaded up but I'm out of daylight.

[Michael J. Spangler]

that looks awesome!!!

[Super Sneaky Steve]

Fist pour was last night. I loaded a dummy round in .38 and .357. The .38 will chamber in my LCR .38 special, when crimped at the canalure, with not much left, but the wheel spins freely.

The .357 won't chamber in even my longest cylinder. I have yet to see if it will single feed into my rifles. I've got a Rossie 92 and a Ruger 77/357 to test out. I may even experiment with Hornady FTX length .357 cases. They are taller than a .38 but shorter than a standard .357.

My Lee book has some .38spl +P data for this round. Hottest powder I have on the list is Herco giving me an estimated 850fps which would be real nice. I'm going to start there then maybe work up for the .357's. I'm real nervous making these since they will chamber in my .38's.

Lee has a Min OAL at 1.54 so I assume we've got a little extra volume in there with our 1.61 OAL. I'm hoping this will reduce pressure just a tad giving me more of a safe zone.

[jmort]

"The .38 will chamber in my LCR .38 special, when crimped at the canalure, with not much left, but the wheel spins freely."

I would put a real good roll crimp on those. If they jump crimp, revolver no revolve. Could be way below average depending on circumstances. I think it would work well and it seems like you are covering your bases. Glad Lee came out with this mold.

[str8shot426]

I'll keep watching the thread Steve, I abandoned my experiments to work this boolit in my 35 rem. fall's coming, and I'm not hunting with my 38.

[Harles Dawson]

Lee's website says the 6 cavity is coming soon. I want one of those. Harles

[Super Sneaky Steve]

My boolits weighed in at 208 with a gas check and some lube. I put about 4.0gr of Herco in the case (I say about because it doesn't meter well). My Lee book says this is max +P for a 200gr boolit.

Next week I'll launch them out of a few of my magnum revolvers and my rifle. I'll have actual FPS data then.

[Whistler]

Six cav!

http://leeprecision.com/mold-6-cav-c358-200-rf.html