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Thread: Good cheap Lee design for .357?

  1. #1
    Boolit Master
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    Good cheap Lee design for .357?

    Just came into a Smith Model 19-3 and want a good bullet to work up into a mild target load still useful on small game. Does Lee make any molds that you guys have had good luck with?

  2. #2
    Boolit Grand Master
    Ben's Avatar
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    The Lee 90321 might be a good mold for you. Shoots well in my Model 19

    http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=164178

  3. #3
    Boolit Master

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    I use this 1
    Lee , Mold 358-158-RF
    I have the 6 gang mould amd a pile of them to lube right now

    My DW 15 and the GP100 both like it

    Johnch
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  4. #4
    Boolit Grand Master
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    johnch:

    I'll 2nd that. I have the Lee 6 cav. and a double cav. in the 158 RF, fine bullet in my opinion.

    Ben

  5. #5
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    ................Me 3.



    Same slug, just cast at 3 different block temps. Same alloy temp. Very boolity looking boolit

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  6. #6
    Boolit Buddy
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    Yep, Lee 150 RF 6 gang. Works well in my 9mm Glock also.

  7. #7
    Boolit Master

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    +1 for the 358-158-rf
    shoots in all my gps &38s

    GP

  8. #8
    Boolit Master versifier's Avatar
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    Alas, I had to sell my m19 to eat when I was disabled. But, the 358-150R #90328, C358-158SWC #90322 (and especially its HP version) both worked very well in it. My m36, m686, and Contender like them all, too.
    Born OK the first time.

  9. #9
    Boolit Master
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    Thanks fellas.

  10. #10
    Boolit Master
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    I have good results with the C358-158-SWC for hotter loads in .357 and the TL358-158-2R for slower stuff.

  11. #11
    Boolit Grand Master

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    I have 4 lee moulds in 38/357 and they all perform well!
    105g SWC Makes good plinker but still shoots very good with light loads
    140g SWC
    148g WC
    158g TL RN
    Aim small, miss small!

  12. #12
    Boolit Buddy
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    Another vote for the 358-158-RF

  13. #13
    Boolit Grand Master



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    I have recently (this fall) purchased a six cavity mould for the Lee 158 RF, myself. I cast a few and am waiting for the Holidays to end so I can lube and try these. They look EXTREMELY good to me. I am expecting great things of this bullet in my K.38 and 686 as well as the two snubbies.

    Dale53

  14. #14
    Boolit Man bmblong's Avatar
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    lastmanout question

    Quote Originally Posted by lastmanout View Post
    Yep, Lee 150 RF 6 gang. Works well in my 9mm Glock also.
    Do you have a special barrel for your glock? If not does it lead bad? I have been putting off shooting lead because of all the talk around it.
    Bruce

  15. #15
    Boolit Buddy
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    Quote Originally Posted by bmblong View Post
    Do you have a special barrel for your glock? If not does it lead bad? I have been putting off shooting lead because of all the talk around it.
    I read of many problems with aftermarket barrels on the Glocktalk website. The factory Glock barrel is very well made, heat treated, and designed for the Glock. So ... gave it a try with .358 diameter boolits in winchester cases and they cycle and chamber excellent. Accurate is 2" at 20yards. I shoot about 100 rounds and clean throughly, but it is never that bad. I shoot the 9mm and 45 GAP with cast boolits.Would NEVER use cast reloads in the 40 s&W. See too many others with 40 caliber KABOOMS. Really do not like that caliber (have owned 2).
    Last edited by lastmanout; 01-03-2007 at 07:11 PM.

  16. #16
    Boolit Man bmblong's Avatar
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    I might give it a shot. (so to speak) I've got the mold we've been talking about and some titegroup powder. Sure is a HEAVY 9mm bullet. I have never talked to someone who actually shot lead out of the factory glock barrel. Good to know that it can be done. Thanks.
    Bruce

  17. #17
    Boolit Buddy
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    Quote Originally Posted by bmblong View Post
    I might give it a shot. (so to speak) I've got the mold we've been talking about and some titegroup powder. Sure is a HEAVY 9mm bullet. I have never talked to someone who actually shot lead out of the factory glock barrel. Good to know that it can be done. Thanks.
    Titegroup is just a little faster burning than I like for 147-158 grain boolits in the 9mm. I have been using Unique with good results. Univeral Clays would be a good choice also. Reduce the 147 grain data by about 20%. I kept working up until I had good function and stopped. Keep your cartridge overall length as long as possible. As little as ten thousanths too deep can cause too high pressures in short pistol rounds.

  18. #18
    Boolit Buddy
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    I have been shooting the Lee TL358-158SWC for quite a while. It works very well in my guns from light .38special plinkers all the way to full throttle .357s.

  19. #19
    Boolit Master
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    I shoot the Lee 158GR SWC by the thousands thru my K 38.

    3, 3.5 or 4gr Red Dot. Fired over 5000 since it was cleaned last and keeps right on shooting jsut fine without any build up at all. The bore on this gun is shiny.

    These weigh 147gr as cast with salvage bullet metal, and Aloxed. Plain base.

    Should be the same one most have listed here. It's a dandy and shoots well.
    Be well worth your time to get a cav and go to work on 'em.

    I sure wouldn't cast 'em soft though. Keep that for the muzzle loaders and use the hard stuff of any mixture and you'll be happy.
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