Need advice on .357 Magnum boolit mould for S&W 686

[cwbuff]

I was all set to buy a Lyman 35815 mould and a .358 sizer to cast boolits for my S&W 686-2 revolver. Then I started reading about people complaining about the newer moulds being misaligned, etc. Is this still a problem with the Lyman? Is the Lee C358-158SWC a good alternative?

[jmort]

Why not try the Lee mold. You can always sell it and get most of you money back. There is one member who says that he will buy any Lyman mold under certain contitions. Lyman would be my last choice.
I would just go with Accurate and get exactly what you want or go with the Lee mold.

[cwbuff]

Is there a standard spec for that bullet that can be input into the accurate custom order form?

[robg]

Try the Lee 158 gr if you gun don't like it( i doubt that) its cheap .

[jmort]

Email Tom with questions
He cuts his bullets around the alloy you will be using.
You can go custom or pick from the existing catalog.
I have done both.
For what it is worth, I have both plain base and gas check versions of this, which will load right at SAAMI spec:



Someone else's design that I like a lot. If you don't like micro grooves aka tumble lube, ask him to cut it with lube grooves or no grooves ala PC/Hi Tek style.

[Murphy]

Without even having to look, I know I own more molds for the 38/357 than any other caliber by far.

From what i gather, you're looking to be in the 155-160 grain bullet weight? In your original post, did you mean the Lyman #358156 mold? If so, you may want to look at NOE molds web site. I believe they offer that bullet with or without the gas check.

http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/index.p...5ru7ms9q2lbme2

I have 4-5 NOE molds and all are excellent molds.

Murphy

[cwbuff]

Yes, l left the 6 off. The Lyman 358156 is the one I was looking at. Yes on the bullet weight of 155-160 grains. Thanks.

[sghart3578]

You have a wealth of choices in that caliber.

I am a S&W fanatic myself with several N frame and K frame 357 magnums and a couple K frame 38's. In all of them I cast, load and shoot the Lee 358-158-RF.

http://leeprecision.com/mold-dc-358-158-rf.html

I lube them and load them as cast. I have lost track of the number of rounds I have loaded with this bullet. It just performs. It is affordable too.


Steve in N CA

[Dusty Bannister]

If your bullet alloy is in short supply, consider the Lee 358-125-RF as well.

[clum553946]

Noe has great molds for the 357, quality is great, & there's a 20% off sale for the 4th!
360-160SWC is what I have for 38 spl/357 & it can be had in either aluminum or brass, & half pb half gc if you want. There's also a 172 Elmer Keith design that's nifty too!

[Guesser]

Lyman 358156 is my go to mold for 357 and has been for nearly 60 years. It is basic and very serviceable. Has taken a couple mule deer and truck loads of jack rabbits and a bunch of other critters, Paper targets, rabid pepsi cans, spoiled cantaloupe, etc........Can't go wrong with it, regardless of who makes it!!

[Larry Gibson]

Yes, l left the 6 off. The Lyman 358156 is the one I was looking at. Yes on the bullet weight of 155-160 grains. Thanks.

The 358156 is an excellent bullet for top end performance in the 357 magnum and has been my favorite for 40+ years. The Lyman moulds are excellent and are 2 cavity. You can cast a lot of bullets fairly quick but a 4 cavity is really nice to have. Occasionally a Lyman 4 cavity mould comes available in the for sale forum. However, a very good rendition is the NOE version which is available with 4 cavities.


http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/images/...0-SWC_(GC).Jpg

Larry Gibson

[jmort]

The 4 cavity mold is in current production and on sale. Ignore the inaccurate info on the four cavity and buy it here if you so desire:
Lyman 4-Cavity Bullet Mold #358156 38 Special, 357 Magnum (358 Diameter) 155 Grain Semi-Wadcutter Gas Check
Product #: 610418 Lyman #: 2670156 UPC #: 011516501561
4.2Read 10 ReviewsWrite a Review
Lyman 4-Cavity Bullet Mold #358156 38 Special, 357 Magnum (358 Diameter) 155 Grain Semi...
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Sale$89.99 Regular Price: $99.99 Save $10.00 (10%)
Available
Ships tomorrow from MidwayUSA
Quantity:
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/61...tter-gas-check

[cwbuff]

Thanks for the info, just what I was looking for.

[gwpercle]

Yes, l left the 6 off. The Lyman 358156 is the one I was looking at. Yes on the bullet weight of 155-160 grains. Thanks.

That is a great design for 38/357. It has two crimping grooves for a reason. I don't know about Lyman quality these days I haven't bought any new ones lately. If Lyman is still making good moulds you would be hard pressed to find a better design . NOE makes a close copy of this design . The designation is NOE 360-160-SWC , you can get a plain base and/or gas check... even get one of each cut in the same mould. Lyman has gas check only in all cavities . For magnum loads I like the gas checks. standard and target loads plain base will do.
The Lyman 358156 was the very first 38/357 mould I ever bought (1971) and it's still a good design.
Gary

[cwbuff]

I have always used steel moulds. How does steel compare to aluminum and brass?

I'm also interested in the pros and cons of hollow point (cavity) vs solid. Meanwhile, I'll do some more research.

[wv109323]

The Lyman 358156 is a good bullet configuration. Another choice in 2 cavity is the RCBS 358-158 RN 2 cavity mold.

[Moonie]

I like the Lee 158gr RF, Lyman molds are fine, but remember they are usually spec'ed out for their #2 alloy, using wheel weights will generally result in a smaller boolit than desired when using such a mold.

[bobthenailer]

Over the years ive owned 3 S&W 686's all shot the RCBS 150 gr swc , & the Saeco #382 swc & #390 rn 158 gr boolets as well as the Saeco 052 148 gr wc, #354 180 gr fp ,#396 180gr tc ,

[Tom W.]

You have a wealth of choices in that caliber.

I am a S&W fanatic myself with several N frame and K frame 357 magnums and a couple K frame 38's. In all of them I cast, load and shoot the Lee 358-158-RF.

http://leeprecision.com/mold-dc-358-158-rf.html

I lube them and load them as cast. I have lost track of the number of rounds I have loaded with this bullet. It just performs. It is affordable too.


Steve in N CA

I just recently got a S &W model 19-4. I also got the above-mentioned mold, but in 6 cavity. Years ago I had a Security Six and used a 2 cavity swc from Lee. So far I like the one mentioned above better.