Lyman 358477. That was my first mold 41 yrs ago, and still going strong. 150 gr SWC.
Lyman 358477. That was my first mold 41 yrs ago, and still going strong. 150 gr SWC.
358-158-RN 2 RCBS
Hard to beat, good in rifles
One not mentioned so far, and many good ones have, is the Lee 358-125. You can load it heavy and fast or light and fun.
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After considering everyone’s opinions and reading a few articles I believe I will start with the NOE 360-158-SWC, this is the single line groove design vs the two lube groove. I don’t see much of an advantage other than easier to lube lol.
http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/product...ak79rt145nf611
Since it's a S & W, I'd go with a Lyman 358477 PB and have it hollow pointed. You may run into problems with cylinder length with a Keith 358429. Had a Model 28 with a cylinder that would barely take them length wise. Or, pick up a 356156 and have the GC removed./beagle
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I just got a 4 cavity Accurate Molds full WC, TL type. Like all that bearing surface and wide frontal area. Have not tried it yet. http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_...=36-148T-D.png
These TL type boolits can be seated out as far as you need for powder space. My Henry lever action feeds full wad cutters well enough and is super accurate with them.
Rcbs 180 gr sil GC boolits over 11.5 gr 2400 accurate out to 200 yards ,even with the 2 foot drop at that distance .from my win 94 trapper.
38-150K Been my go to bullet for 30 years have both new square and old round lube grove mold. Never owned a Smith just Rugers and TC's. Works great in them
Back in the day I had great luck with the Lee 140 gr GCSWC in my Blackhawk. And the 358156 is also on my 'Great' list. Both GC designs, and accurate w/15 grs 2400 back then. I now recommend 14 grs for a max...
Echo
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For powder choice I’m thinking H110 for full power and W231 for target loads. Mostly because I use H110 on my 300blk supers and W231 for my 45ACP&LC.
I won't tell you what to do,but in my opinion, the rnf design is the easiest profile to get good results from quickly. The Arsenal 358-162 rnf or their 360-155 rnf would give great diversity and accuracy in both rifle and revolver. Accurate molds, Noe and many others have good rnf designs. Arsenal molds are just the ones I have the most experience with.
Kirk
Another vote for the Lyman 358156. That's my only .357 mold and the only one I think I'll ever need. This over a suitable charge of H110 or 2400 does anything I want it too - paper, hunting, or carry.
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Going to say it again: Lyman 358156 , solid point or hollow point that's your choice, Mine's solid.
Magnum loads....use the gas check. Cast from 50/50 lead/COWW although a little on the soft side the gas check eliminates any leading problems at magnum velocities. Good general purpose boolit.
Back in the day (1970) this boolit over 7.5 grains of old Unique would make tight clover leaf groups out of my Ruger Blackhawk . Don't use this load today...it might be over the allowable limit...it was OK in 1970
Target and lighter loads...Lyman # 358432 - 160 grain version ( not the 148 grain version)
Lyman has discontinued it but NOE makes it. Accuracy sleeper, this bullet shoots the best in all of my 38's....but few know about it's potential. Check it out at NOE.
Gary
Last edited by gwpercle; 06-22-2018 at 01:14 PM.
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For full mag use, hard to beat the Lee 158 RNFP. For light loads, I like the NOE 357 135 RF. Don't need a gas check with proper bullet sizing and alloy.
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I found a 160gr. wadcutter mold for my 357. I love it in a Blackhawk.
BP | Bronze Point | IMR | Improved Military Rifle | PTD | Pointed |
BR | Bench Rest | M | Magnum | RN | Round Nose |
BT | Boat Tail | PL | Power-Lokt | SP | Soft Point |
C | Compressed Charge | PR | Primer | SPCL | Soft Point "Core-Lokt" |
HP | Hollow Point | PSPCL | Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" | C.O.L. | Cartridge Overall Length |
PSP | Pointed Soft Point | Spz | Spitzer Point | SBT | Spitzer Boat Tail |
LRN | Lead Round Nose | LWC | Lead Wad Cutter | LSWC | Lead Semi Wad Cutter |
GC | Gas Check |