mold recommendation, 38/357

[ktw]

My father has never been a very active participant in the shooting sports. He had an interest but it was low priority for him. He's now going through that transition in life where it would be a good time to retire from the family business. In search of some outside interests to share with his shooting son (me) and several of his grandsons he went out and picked up a Marlin Cowboy leveraction and a Ruger GP100, both in 357.

I don't own a 38/357. I would like to be able to cast/reload some bulk ammo for him. He doesn't have any specific use for these beyond plinking with the grandkids. He has a 30-30 if he wants to take up deer hunting.

I'm partial to RCBS and Lyman molds, but would consider a Lee. I only want one all-purpose boolit that stands a high probability of working well in both of his guns.

Without any 357 experience, my inclination is to go with one of

- RCBS 38-158-CM
- Lyman 358665
- Lee 358-158-RF

If you could only own one mold for these two guns, what would it be?

edit: I see the catshooter 358-175-K Group Buy is still open, and I am considering that as an option, but I've had better experience with RF over Keith designs in my 45 levergun...

-ktw

[warriorsociologist]

To be honest, I'd count your blessings/luck and jump in on this GB. Otherwise, the TL358-158-2R / TL358-158-SWC / 358-158-RF are all great molds.

[dubber123]

If you do go with a Lee mold, I strongly suggest getting a 6 cavity. Not only will the production rate be much higher, but they are much better designed and made than a 2 cavity. It will likely last you much longer. A Lyman 358429 might be a good choice also. I believe this is the 38-175K group mold design.

[jerrold]

Not sure I should post an offer to sell, but I have a Lyman 358429 for sale.[smilie=1: [smilie=1: [smilie=1:
life is short
jerrold@hughes.net
jerrold

[Sundogg1911]

Get a mould that casts a 158 gr. semi-wadcutter :-D
Every one makes one. I'm partial to the Keith moulds myself, but that is a good all around boolit for both. I have the Lyman version, but if you really want to pile them up get the Lee 6 cavity. :Fire:

[Bass Ackward]

At the risk of falling on my sword here and giving everyone a good laugh, the most accurate bullet I ever used in anything 38 caliber and every gun I ever used was a 358311.

And Lord should I say it, .... it's a ........... round nose, PB. There. I got it out. You can all laugh now, but if I had to put money on it, that's what I would grab. 6 grains of Unique in a 357 case yields a pleasant load that will shoot till the cows come home whether you are crankin or wheelin.

[oso]

Agree with you about RF vs SWC in lever guns, also better speed loading with the revolver. Since you'll be loading for dad, son and grandsons I'd go with the 6 cav Lee - it works for me and my family.

[Buckshot]

................I like the Lee 358-158-RF in the 6 banger. No GC to mess with, makes a good hole in the paper and is accurate. Lots of other slugs fit that bill too, but for just ONE mould........................

............Buckshot

[Jon K]

Here's one more vote for rf design. I be hesitant to get in on the GB, without getting some boolits to try out. It's been a no go for both Uberti 73 & Browning 92, that the Keith or SWC design hang up when loading. RF or TC work most reliably.
Might work OK for the Marlin, but I'd try it before buying.

Jon

[Marlin Junky]

I would recommend a gas checked design for a beginner wanting a versatile .357 mold and it's hard to beat a Lyman, RCBS or SAECO mold for ease of use, dependability and longevity. You don't need to worry about feeding issues with the revolver but take a look at the following article regarding boolits compatible in the Marlin '94

http://leverguns.com/articles/fryxell/marlin_1894.htm

MJ

P.S. It's hard to beat Lyman 358156 for a multi-purpose .357 boolit mold and you can pick one up at Midsouth Shooters Supply for about 45 bucks.

[schutzen]

Try the Saeco 388, 158 gr. Semi Wad Cutter Bevel Base. In 4 cavity it gives good production and is easy to use. I've shot them through S&W 19, 28,and 27, Colt Python, Ruger Security 6, Marlin 1894 and a Taurus. Every gun shot well with them. The down side is the Saeco's are more expensive, but I've used mine for 30 years and it is as good as a new one. I have seen several of the 4 cavity 388's on EBAY for a reasonable price.

[Lloyd Smale]

im not much on alot of lees designs but that rf mold is a good bullet. It will run nicely through a levergun and is an accurate bullet.

[ktw]

Thanks guys. I appreciate all of the replies. They helped a lot.

-ktw

[mainiac]

Ive got 9 different 357 molds so far,,, None of them are even close to the 358156 as far as accuracy, this is by far my most accurate bullet in rifle and handgun....period!

[LarryM]

If you plan to feed a Marlin lever gun I'd recommend the Rf design, I'm so far not able to get my 1894C to feed a SWC, it hangs up on the boolit shoulder on the chamber mouth.

[Cherokee]

Best choice for me in lever action and revolver use was the Lee 6 cavity 158 RF. I load them light to heavy. Cast of WW+tin, have no leading problems in anything.
:castmine:

[Forester]

I will cast (pun intended) another vote for the Lee 158gr-RF mold. I have a 6 gang mold and a pot of alloy seems to last forever making these 158gr gems. I can not speak to it's feeding in a lever gun but it shoots great in several wheel guns I have tried or seen it tried in. I load it over 3.5gr of Win231 for my revolver loads. It is a soft shooting plinker round that costs little to load.

[Dale53]

At the risk of saying "Me too" i'll mention that my fairly recently "go to" bullet for my .38's and .357's is the Lee 158 gr-RF bullet. It is a dandy bullet. Looks good and shoots good. I have not shot any game with it, as yet, but it should do well there also with it's wide meplat. I wish Lee had the exact same design in all three of "THE" calibers (.357, .44, and .45).

Dale53

[9.3X62AL]

Dale--make that "4 calibers"--357, 41, 44. and 45. The rifle application at full velocity would cause me to crave a gas check with my RF nose profile, but since I don't (yet) own such a beast I'll bow out on this question. My 44-40/'73 Winchester gets by just fine with plain based round flat noses, after all.

[Dale53]

Deputy Al;
I deliberately left off the .41 (I have a shooting buddy who is big on the .41 Mag and I am ALWAYS yanking his chain[smilie=1: ). Lee would be well advised to have the standard weight in all four calibers in this same great design - they could have all of them available in both Gas Check and plain base design. I would suspect that they would sell more moulds with people given a good choice (they already have the heavies coverred in .44 and .45 with a gas check).

At any rate, I am enjoying the .358-158 RF. I prefer the heavier calibers for deer but I DO intend to try out this bullet on some bunnies this coming Fall. I have a dandy trail gun ("J" frame 3" with adjustable sights with full underlug barrel in stainless - I guess you could call it the " Chief's Special Target":)

Of course, I am NOT forgetting my .32's (so many guns and so little time...:roll: )

Dale53

[floodgate]

Dale:

There actually WAS a "Chief's Special Target" made back around 1970, with a 2" barrel and a VERY tall front sight to compensate for the upkick (and that was before the +P's) came on the scene. I used #358345 in it with 3.3 Bullseye, and it was a real sweet shooter; wish I still had it.

floodgate

[Mallard57]

[QUOTE] [I]I've found this to be true also.
[QUOTE][At the risk of falling on my sword here and giving everyone a good laugh, the most accurate bullet I ever used in anything 38 caliber and every gun I ever used was a 358311.
/QUOTE] I'm seriously cosidering going the way of the round nose to get around the feed issues. I did run some dummy rounds through my Marlin with the 9mm RCBS 124 gr. CN boolit and they fed great. I haven't shot them in the rifle but my .357 pistols love them. We'll see how it all pans out.
Jeff

[Mallard57]

[At the risk of saying "Me too" i'll mention that my fairly recently "go to" bullet for my .38's and .357's is the Lee 158 gr-RF bullet. It is a dandy bullet. Looks good and shoots good. I have not shot any game with it, as yet, but it should do well there also with it's wide meplat. I wish Lee had the exact same design in all three of "THE" calibers (.357, .44, and .45).
Dale53/QUOTE]

[QUOTE]Dale--make that "4 calibers"--357, 41, 44. and 45. The rifle application at full velocity would cause me to crave a gas check with my RF nose profile, but since I don't (yet) own such a beast I'll bow out on this question. My 44-40/'73 Winchester gets by just fine with plain based round flat noses, after all.
__________________

Sounds like a pretty good idea for a group buy to me!!!!!
Jeff