38 special molds

[burch]

I`m sure this `ole horse has been beat to death but after running the search option and getting a world of options i`m going to kick it just one more time please. I have a Colt Cobra and a S&W model 10-6. I`d like some opinions for a 158 SWC mold. I bought a Lee mold and my last one as far as bullet molds goes. I have no problem with their RB molds. I`d like to stick to non GC molds. So with all that said what are good options ?

Burch :confused:

[Ben]

I`m sure this `ole horse has been beat to death


If it hasn't we'll finish the old horse right now.

I'd recommend the Lee 125 gr. RF or the Lee 158 gr. RF.
Edit...........OOOppps, I didn't fully read your post....I see that you
aren't interested in a Lee mold. Sorry.........

Ben

[felix]

OK, not a Lee, so get the Lyman 358477 with 5.0 Unique as THE hard-to-beat standard field load. ... felix

[beagle]

I'll second Felix's recommendation on the 358477 or a RCBS 38-150-SWC. Both bullets shoot well for me./beagle

[skeet1]

Burch
I know that you said you didn't want another Lee mould but I have been using one of their tumble lube 358-158 SWC and have found it to be very good. I am not using the tumble lube method for lubing it however, I just run it through my lubrisizer like I would any other bullet and it seems to work just fine. I'm not a big fan of liquid lubes. That said, I also have an old Lyman 357446 that throws a 160 gr. SWC bullet of about .359 dia. of Thompson design that I would highly recommend. This is a plain base bullet with two lube grooves and and a crimping groove. This is the first mould I ever purchased around 40 years ago and I have never been unhappy with it.

Hope you find what you are looking for.

Skeet1

[atr]

I have an old style Lyman (ideal) 158 gr SWC....great boolit for 38 special
and a 125 gr RN Lyman (ideal)...another good one for 38 special.

[GP100man]

Burch

Knowing what I know now I`d get me a 358156 & send it to Buckshot to remove the GC shank.I had it done to a HP mold & have never regretted it !!

I could be happy with that 1 boolit - - - - Yeah Right !!! LOL

[burch]

Burch

Knowing what I know now I`d get me a 358156 & send it to Buckshot to remove the GC shank.I had it done to a HP mold & have never regretted it !!

I could be happy with that 1 boolit - - - - Yeah Right !!! LOL

My buddy owns a 358156 and that`s what i`ve been using.

[burch]

OK, not a Lee, so get the Lyman 358477 with 5.0 Unique as THE hard-to-beat standard field load. ... felix

What about +P ammo for my model 10-6 with the Lyman mold ? Will this work with the plain base bullet ?

[Gunsmoke4570]

I'll second Felix's recommendation on the 358477 or a RCBS 38-150-SWC. Both bullets shoot well for me./beagle

I use the RCBS 38-150-SWC over 3.5gr of Bullseye. That is my all around load for everything. Extremely accurate in my revolvers.

:castmine:

[Doby45]

I happen to have a 358477 2 cavity mold with one cavity HPed by Buckshot that I would be willing to part with. PM me if you are interested.

[ChuckS1]

I use the RCBS 38-150-SWC over 3.5gr of Bullseye. That is my all around load for everything. Extremely accurate in my revolvers.

:castmine:

Same bullet/powder combination here. Very accurate in all my .38s, plus the RCBS mold is so much nicer to cast with than my Lymans.

[RayinNH]

burch, you poo poo'd Lee molds but you would do well to look further into Ben's suggestion of Lee 158 RF. It has been mentioned many times over on this site and I don't recall any dissastisfaction with it. It casts easily, cuts a beautiful hole in target paper and the large flat point would be a great game getter if that's your goal...Ray

[beladran]

I got a six cav hensley an gibb #73 swc an love it!!!

[HeavyMetal]

Another vote for the 358477 and or the RCBS 38-150.

The 358156 with the check taken off weighs about 150 so it is a good boolit weight for 38 special.

In 38 caliber the two Lee's that I might consider would be the 125 and 158 RF with my leaning heavily to the 125 as I could use it in my 9mm as well!

Curious as to what the issue was with the Lee mold the OP had tired?? Tell us the story Burch?

[GLL]

There are a number of good choices in the BRP catalog but you can not go wrong with the RCBS 38-150. Take a look at the BRP360640 ! Looks like a number of members agree on that RCBS choice !

http://www.brp.castpics.net/P1.html

BRP 360640 designed by 45 2.1
http://www.fototime.com/F063D2ACFEC1F3D/standard.jpg
http://www.fototime.com/C48C63EB6405234/standard.jpg

Jerry

[buyobuyo]

Along the same lines of GLL's post, you may want to check out the Mihec 359640PB-HP group buy that is ending soon. I think there are 1-2 spots still open. http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=95056

[Bret4207]

The 477 is very good and available. In truth the 358156 GC mould is the single best all around mould I've got in the 38/357 arena. It shoots so good in about everything that I can overlook the cost of the GC, especially once you up the go juice.

[MtGun44]

RCBS 38-150 SWC (previously 38-150-KT) and 358477 are both extremely good, all the way
up to max loads in all my revolvers with no leading.

+1 on felix's recommendation of 5.0 Unique, too. Makes my J-frame shoot to POA.

Bill

[Beerd]

What about +P ammo for my model 10-6 with the Lyman mold ? Will this work with the plain base bullet ?

no need for a gc in any 38 special loading or in most 357 magnums either.
..

[GLL]

You might also consider the BRP358156 but have Bruce remove the gas check !

http://www.brp.castpics.net/P1.html

Jerry

http://www.fototime.com/E7F12103917D81E/standard.jpg

[burch]

You might also consider the BRP358156 but have Bruce remove the gas check !

http://www.brp.castpics.net/P1.html

Jerry

http://www.fototime.com/E7F12103917D81E/standard.jpg

What did ya do, spend the day polishing those bullets ? those are really nice

[GLL]

burch:

Actually those do not have good fill-out ! The mould was not up to temp which gave them the shine!

Jerry

[krag35]

I'm partial to Lymans's 358430 in the 195 gr weight. It has worked well for me in every 38/357I have used it in.

[357maximum]

Hands down the most accurate 38/357 boolit I have ever known is the BRP360640........It is leaps and bounds above all the other table fare in my opinion.

25 yards or 400 yards.........it does not matter. A 38/357 boolit that will do 1 to 1.5 MOA at 400 yards kinda leaves a lasting impression on a fella. 38/357 Revolver/ 357 marlin/ or a 38 spcl custom break open single shot makes no difference either. This boolit just kinda goes to sleep at long range and lands super close to it's mates on the paper/steel.

If I could only own one 38/357 boolit the BRP 360640 would be "THE ONE"

[MakeMineA10mm]

It's hard to say which GLL is better at: quality casting, excellent photography, or amassing a stupendous collection of moulds!?! One thing he is unquestionably good at is being a helpful, giving friend!!

We are truly in the age of excellent options for moulds with multiple, reasonably-priced custom makers, and expert modifiers like Buckshot and Erik. I'm going to re-cover a lot of ground, but here's my recommendations:

For a Round-flat, one of the 640 designs is tough to beat. The Lee is a close 2nd.
For a SWC the plain-base version of the 358156 is super.
For a RN, the Lyman 358311 design is incredibly accurate (beats WCs much of the time.)

[That'll Do]

I add my vote for the RCBS 38-150-SWC. It's a winner. I also like my Saeco 382 (158gr SWC). It is pretty close in profile to the RCBS 38-150-SWC.

[ddixie884]

+1 for GLL. Jerry is a great photographer, and I loaned him a mold one time, and he sent it back with a large number of really great 358439 HPs.

[burch]

I accualy have a BPR mold for my 35Rem. Couldn`t be any happier with it either. Maybe i`ll consider one of those molds.

[cuzinbruce]

I am surprized no one has recommended Elmer Keith's 358429. It works great for me. Or a Hensley & Gibbs #51. I can recommend either.