Accuracy with the Lee 358-105 swc

[subsonic]

I bought this mold to make low recoil, economical, practice ammo for 5 shot snubs and to maybe see what kind of accuracy I can get with it in my .357s.

I have cast some up with WDWW, sized them to .358", and lubed them with LBT blue soft. I loaded them in mixed .38 cases over 4.5gr of 700x. This is a "max" regular pressure load for a .38spl. The books show 4.8gr for +p with 110gr jacketed. These will be shot from a .357 for velocity testing, then in only +p rated .38s (all I own), hence no real "work up" to "max". Once I have a baseline of velocity and have the Ultra-Dot on paper, I plan to work loads in .2gr increments, and play with size, lube, alloy, etc. for best groups. I will try them in .357 brass too.

Does anybody already have experience with this boolit and care to share some good loads? Doesn't have to be with 700x, but I have over 8lbs of it.

[thegreatdane]

I've played with it in .357 but not 38 yet. It tends to shoot like a laser, and surprisingly a little low compared to heavier boolits. It's a fun little lead saver.

[excess650]

I've shot it in various 38s from wimpy to +P and its an excellent boolit. IIRC, I was using 5gr Bullseye in my 6" K38 and it would shoot sub 2" at 50 yards (back when I could see the sights).

Ben posted some pictures of groups shot with his 20" Marlin 38spl CBC, and they were impressive.

I need to revisit this boolit and see how well it can work in a .357, both in a revolver and carbine.

[Larry Gibson]

I use the Lee 358-105-SWC for small game hunting in my .38 SPLs. I load it over 4.5 gr Bullseye. It shoots twice around the cylinder (12 shots) into 1.5 - 2" at 25 yards out of my 5" M15, 6" Ruger SS and 2 1/2" M19. I've only chronographed it out of the M15 and it runs 1025 fps with the ES at 50 fps and the SD around 20 which is very good for 12 shots with such a light bullet in a revolver. It works for me:D

Larry Gibson

[excess650]

This thread reminded me to cast up a batch. I thought I was going to cast with both the 38-105 and 45-155, but ended up with just the little 38. I started casting as my pot was coming up to temp and determined where the mold wanted to cast perfect boolits with a minimal cooling time. I cast just shy of 500 boolits in 2 hours with one double cavity mold.[smilie=w:

A previous thread:

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=83154&highlight=lee+105+CBC