I want 3 molds

[timmylee4074]

I've been looking for three molds a long time. Can't find them. So I'm thinking about having some made.
Two are 38/357 molds and one is for a 30-30.
1).357 SWC, 165-180gr range.

2).357 SWC, 120-135gr range

3)308 FP, 125-135gr range

I know that Lee will make anything if you draw it. Not sure how to go about it.
Any ideas would be helpful.
Tim

[MT Gianni]

Try e-bay for the first 358429 show up regularly, no help on teh 2nd but the Lee 113 fp is a great bullet for most 30's at just under your targeted weight. Gianni.

[rikkit]

MT, I have a thread going on the "swapping and selling forum", I have a 2 cav. 358249 and am in need of a 225438, and a 439186. Is there a chance you might have either to swap with me?

[9.3X62AL]

Timmy--

Welcome to the board, sir.

The "cut-to-order" process with Lee is a viable route, but tool-up costs are a lot of money for one example of each design to be produced. Other sources for non-standard designs......

1) NEI Handtools www.neihandtools.com This firm offers a wide array of designs spanning the spectrum of cast boolit calibers. Give their site a look-see, they might have what you're looking for.

2) Mountain Molds www.mountainmolds.com This source (Dan) is currently involved in relocating his shop, and should be back up and running shortly. Check his site out, it includes a design-your-own section.

My only question concerns the lighter 38/357 design. Shorter-for-caliber designs don't always shoot well in revolvers--the boolit shank length must be long enough to engrave the forward driving band well inside the forcing cone before the boolit base clears the cylinder throat. In my experience with 38/357 revolvers, consistent accuracy starts at about the 140 grain weight level--jacketed or cast. The 110 and 125 grain bullets can be driven to impressive speeds, but they have never shot as well for me as the heavier slugs have.

[boogerred]

the 358429 was the first thing i thought of,mine drops about 172gr with WWs. the 125-135 sounds like a 9mm bullet. the lee 309-113 drops about 115gr and shoots great in my Win 94 up to 75 yds or so. i dont know if its a powder/bullet combo,but my 357 seems to do better with 158-170gr bullets.

[kywoodwrkr]

358345 is a 115 gr SWC bullet.
I have both solid and HP version of this.
It is a PB but extremely nice to shoot in 38s like Chief Specials etc.
Good for the smaller(8-11) memebers of the clan.
Almost like the 32 S&W L.
FWIW
DaveP kywoodwrkr

[Char-Gar]

Timmy... I am in learning mode so I am curious about your need for the specific weights. There are probably more 38/357 and 30 cal molds out there than any other calibers. If the issue is not fit of bullet to firearms, I can see little reason to have custom molds made. The existing molds can cover any conceivable needs.

[C1PNR]

308 FP, 125-135gr range

Any ideas would be helpful.
Tim
Look for 311 008, 311 316, and 311 410 Lyman moulds to help you there. Or the RCBS 30-115 SP. For a little lighter .30 boolit, try the Lee 113 grain "soup can" Group Buy mould.

Ask around, there may well be someone willing to part with one (not me, but who knows:coffee: )

[timmylee4074]

Charger; Sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you. I've been moving to Nevada.
I want a 125 to 135gr SWC. Most Boolit companies don't carry them and the only 125 molds I can find are for a RNFP. I find the SWC design to work better on game.
I have since found a 4 cavity Keith SWC that will drop around 170-177grs.
The 125-135gr FP for the 30-30 is to use with my M94. One of my favorite loads is a 125gr sierra or a 130gr Speer. I want a cast bullet to do the same job. I'm really getting in to cast boolits.
I'm finding casting boolits are alot cheaper that those "J" things.

[tanstafl10]

timmylee4074

I have a Lyman 3118 (same as 311008, I believe) which drops WQWW at 120 gr or darn close. So, I aggre w/ C1PNR on that one. Cannot help w/ the others. BTW, I got that mold on ebay, so you might give that a try for the others as well.

Like you, I use the 120 gr in my M94 and just love it as an accurate plinker. A friend who is gone now gave me some just like it w/ a gas check though and those shot very well up around 2100 fps. This friend is the one who introduced to casting, I miss him.

Good luck with your project!!