So I ordered a .357 yesterday, its a GP100 with a 6" barrel. What do you all think would be the perfect mold for it? I have a 140g fp from Accurate already for my wife's 38, so this will be for the hot rod .357's
So I ordered a .357 yesterday, its a GP100 with a 6" barrel. What do you all think would be the perfect mold for it? I have a 140g fp from Accurate already for my wife's 38, so this will be for the hot rod .357's
My favorite is the RCBS copy of the time honored 358-156. Loaded to the top over H-110 the accuracy is superb and you can't get any more WHOMP out of a 357.
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I have a 180 RNFP from NOE. It will cast flat or hollow point boolits. You can order plain base or gas check.
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.359 5 cav brass from MiHec. ~135gn plain nose or 2 shapes of HP's.
The Mihec 359-640 with all pins is one of the most versatile 38cal molds available. It'll do 158gr penta/big hollow points. It'll do 165gr cup points, it'll do 170gr flat points.
I also have a LBT 358-180-FN 2 cavity gas check mold that is a dream to cast with. I have several or he Mihec 38 cal molds including wadcutters. NOE's hollowpoint wadcutter molds are great as well
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Reckon my favorite is... I like them all!
But if I could only have one it would be the RCBS 162 grain SWC GC or something a whole lot like it. The very first .38 mold I ever used was a Lee round nose plain base. It was really good too. Still have it and use it cast straight lead for a flintlock pistol.
168gr swc Keith clone
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grubbylabs. Is it blue steel or stainless steel?
I never had any luck with my Security Six SS model. It always leaded up. This wouldn't be a problem now that I powder coat but I never shot that one very good anyway so I don't miss it.
Motor
2nd vote for Lyman 358156, does everything well from a dozen different revolvers and one carbine; also using H110 or surplus WC820
Depends upon what you want it to do - all around 358156 Thompson design SWC hard to beat. But I also like Lee's 105 grain SWC to just plink while saving lead. For speed loader games it's tough to beat a 160 grain 38 super RN design for funneling them into the cylinder.
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LBT 155 gn WFN, 10grns Blue Dot, .358", 93/5/2 BHN 14, LBT Blue Lube, CCI Magnum Primers, Redding Profile Crimp, 1.59" COL., It's close to max. in my S&W Mo. 28.
This has a velocity of about 1,100 and Terminal performance is incredible on varmints.
Its a stainless model. I got got mostly for fun, but also for just in case I run across the odd deer in a short range weapon only season.
Don't forget the time tested 148gr.wadcutter still a nice easy round to make and shoot
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Looking for a Hensly &Gibbs #258 any thing from a two cavity to a 10cavityI found a new one from a member here
From NOE 358-135 over 5 grains of Red Dot In my GP-100 and my Marlin 1894 is very good. It is becoming the only boolit I use in them. I size to .360 for both guns and get no leading at all. I use straight Wheel weights.
Paul G.
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Buying one mould is like trying to eat one potato chip....just ain't no fun.
My first was Lyman 358156. SWC, gas check, two crimp grooves for loading 357 loads in 38 special brass, great for 357 magnum.
But then you'll need a full wadcutter for target loads, a heavy plain base for hunting, the 105 grain SWC from Lee for fun plinking and conserving lead and powder loads.
No no no ....you can't get just one ! The 38special/ 357 magnum handgun is just to versatile to hamstring yourself with one mould. The question should be , what SIX moulds should I start out with?
Gary
I have a 140 grain gas checked mold and a HP that's a little lighter.
The Saeco #393, 160gr. swcgc is my standard for .357. Works in my Ruger w/wo the gas check.
For more weight I like the Saeco #354, 180gr. fpgc. Very accurate and also works w/wo the check.
Add the quality of the Saeco molds and I'm a very happy caster/shooter.
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 |