Best Lyman .357 mold?

[Gtrubicon]

For SWC I cast the 358429, I actually just bought a second 2c mold that I want to get converted to a hollow point.

[MT Gianni]

OK, I just bought two RCBS molds.... 38-158 SWC and 38-162 SWC.
Anybody have any comments of which one is any better than the other.
The 38-158 SWC does not have a gas check. Can't seem to find a pic
of it.
Denny

Unless you are pushing them hard out of a rifle the gc is unnecessary and just an extra cost.

[leadhead]

He claims it doesn't have a gc.
leadhead

[mtnman31]

Another vote for the 358-477.

[Wally]

I'd go with the Lyman 358477....the 358429 is too long for my S & W M-27 and Taurus 66.

[Larry Gibson]

My first was the 358477. Bought it 43 yrs ago, and is a great mold for 357 mag and 38 spl. Need to go hotter, it’s a 358156 GC.

^^^^^^^what he said....

[Good Cheer]

That RCBS 38-162 is a very good gas check design, just as is the Lyman 358156.
Thirty years ago used that RCBS mold for jack rabbits, quiet low level tack drivers in a Rossi '92. Longer range hold over not hard to do because it was oh so very accurate.
As to not needing a gas check or which mold is best, that depends upon what you are trying to make a given gun do, what you are engineering the load to do.

[fivegunner]

another vote for 358156. or clone

[gwpercle]

You really need two :
357 Magnum and 38 Special +P loads.... Lyman #358156 SWC with gas check
38 Special loads .... Lyman #358432 160 grain WC ( this mould is still made by NOE )

Gary

[murf205]

^^^^^^^what he said....

^^^^^^^What they said^^^^^I never had a 38/357 that did'nt like it

[Green Frog]

Another vote for the 358156. You can get better bullets for specific applications, but if you’re limited to one bullet, this one can be loaded long or short, with or without its gas check, lightly charged for targets (it’s a SWC after all) or heavy for hunting or self defense, but nothing that does all of these better. It’s even available as an HP, though I’m not convinced that would be all that useful. Oh yeah, also it’s weight hits right in the sweet spot for effective 38/357 bullets. What’s not to like?

Froggie

[hondo1892]

If you have a S&W N frame the 358429 won't work. The cylinders are too short unless you seat them extra deep. I do like that bullet though.

[derek45]

the LEE 158 RNFP is a nice one too.

[Kraschenbirn]

A few months back I was gifted a nearly-mint, 4-cavity 358477 from the early 1980s and it quickly became my favorite for .38/.357 handgun loads. If I need anything over 1100-1150 fps, I go to either the 358156 (w/GC) or the Arsenal 358-165PC (my Rossi 92 really loves that one).

Bill

[beagle]

Well, I guess it depends on your usage. If I wanted an all purpose bullet, I'd look for a RCBS 38-162-SWC. Grabbed one, removed the GC and HP'd it and it shoots in everything. The 429, although a very good bullet for general use, is sometimes too long for S & Ws or Colts and too long for use in the Marlin M1894C carbines unless seated on the front driving band. There are lots of lighter moulds that will work but I prefer a heavier bullet. This works in my Marlin carbine, a couple of Blackhawks, a M15 Smith and my Colt Python. I love the .38 Special/.357 Magnum guns./beagle