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Thread: 38 RNFP Comparisons?

  1. #1
    Boolit Master


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    38 RNFP Comparisons?

    Does anyone have a picture of a bullet from all of these Moulds?
    RCBS 38-158CM
    Lee 358-158RF
    Lyman 358665

    I like the lee I have but it’s a little fat. I’m thinking a slightly smaller meplat would feed better in my 1873.
    Also the barely holds any lube.
    Thanks all!

  2. #2
    Boolit Master



    RedHawk357Mag's Avatar
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    358665. Pretty handy little bullet. Cast smallish. Double lite coats of BLL helps quite a bit. Gonna try Beagling one side next time I fire the pot up. Bought new three or four years ago.

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    Smith Wesson 629 PP and 686 PP, 617

  3. #3
    Boolit Master



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    This is a favorite of mine. Of course it casts exactly spot on. Accurate in about everything I own.Click image for larger version. 

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    Smith Wesson 629 PP and 686 PP, 617

  4. #4
    Boolit Buddy MrHarmless's Avatar
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    This is a Lee 158gr rnfp on the leftClick image for larger version. 

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  5. #5
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    I know, wrong RCBS


    RCBS 38-158CM


  6. #6
    Boolit Master


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    Thanks all
    As far as i can tell there is a smaller meplat and a slightly longer nose to the RCBS and the Lyman.
    The lee being short and fat like most of their molds. I'm guessing they do this to make a more robust cherry that will last longer.
    Me thinks I need a new bullet mould

    Anyone have a meplat measurement on the RCBS or the Lyman?

    thanks again!

  7. #7
    Boolit Buddy
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    Quote Originally Posted by Michael J. Spangler View Post
    Thanks all
    As far as i can tell there is a smaller meplat and a slightly longer nose to the RCBS and the Lyman.
    The lee being short and fat like most of their molds. I'm guessing they do this to make a more robust cherry that will last longer.
    Me thinks I need a new bullet mould

    Anyone have a meplat measurement on the RCBS or the Lyman?

    thanks again!
    Pretty sure Lee uses lathe boring as opposed to cherries

  8. #8
    Boolit Master


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    Quote Originally Posted by Tim357 View Post
    Pretty sure Lee uses lathe boring as opposed to cherries
    Either way I was more or less getting at the same point. They want to save money somehow and not have mistakes. I imagine machining less detailed mould saves lathe bits just as well.

  9. #9
    Boolit Grand Master
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    I use the LEE 125 gr version in 9mm.

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  10. #10
    Boolit Master


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    The RCBS mould feeds and shoots extremely well in my M1894 Marlin. HP'd and with one of Pat Marlin's PB checks, it is very reliable accuracy wise./beagle
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  11. #11
    Boolit Master


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    I have had all 3 molds. All 3 fed without a hitch in my Kids 1866 - .38spl, I only have the Lee now. Others were stolen.
    I HATE auto-correct

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  12. #12
    Boolit Master brewer12345's Avatar
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    I shoot the 358665 and a Accurate mold (133 MAX) that are RNFP. They play nicely with my Rossi lever and of course all the revolvers. If I were to buy another it would be the Lee 125 grain rnfp.
    When you care enough to send the very best, send an ounce of lead.

  13. #13
    Boolit Master
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    Lead bullets usually shoot the best with the least amount of unsupported length. Lee is just making a mold with the best chance of accuracy. Having said that im not a Lee anything fan.

  14. #14
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by GARD72977 View Post
    Lead bullets usually shoot the best with the least amount of unsupported length. Lee is just making a mold with the best chance of accuracy. Having said that im not a Lee anything fan.
    That's weird. Because Lee used to have a 125 grain RNFP that had a very short nose, looked like a 1-Radius ogive. I had one and it was awful. None of my guns could throw it with any sort of accuracy. It went in the garbage. I got their new 125 RNFP with a longer unsupported nose and it works excellent.

    On the 158 RNFPs - I have two Lee molds. The 6-cavity mold seems to throw a bigger meplat than the two-cavity mold. I never measured the difference but it is just enough to be visible. The difference is enough that I cannot mix bullets from the two molds. They don't seat to the same depth and accuracy suffers. Sorted, both bullets perform well although the wider meplat is more finicky about cycling through my Rossi '92s.

  15. #15
    Boolit Grand Master OS OK's Avatar
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    This is the Lee 358-158 RF thrown from a 6 cavity...

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

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