.380, 9mm, 38 mold

[Muddydogs]

What are some mold recommendations for one mold that will cast .380, 9mm and .38. My .38 / .357's run .357 down the barrel. I will slug my .380 barrel tonight and see where it’s at but let’s assume its .355 and I do not own a 9mm yet. I took my Stepdaughters shooting for the first time last Saturday and let’s just say they are not too impressed with the .40 even loaded down a little with cast bullets. I already have a .358 158 RF Lee 6 hole mold but was thinking something around 100 grains would be good for the .380, 9 and air weight .38. They really liked the S&W model 19 with 6" barrel .357 loaded with the 158 grain cast rounds over 4.4 grains of Unique. After shooting the .40 the .357 load felt like a pop gun to me but it was fun to shoot.

My focus would be a good bullet to run in an auto 9 that I could also load up some practice .380's and light .38 with. Both tumble lube and traditional lube molds are fine. At least 4 cavities’ but would prefer 6. I see lots of lead headed down range in their future.

[atr]

I used to shoot a 125 gr cast RN, flat base in my .380 ....had some real pop to it...the 125 also worked well in my older .38 spl ....never had a 9mm so cant make any claims there

[gcsteve]

I find that I can't seat 125 gr SWC's deep enough to reliably feed out of my mags in my 380's (Taurus TCP-738 and Walther PP) and still feel comfortable about the amount of remaining case volume with the loads I want (even light ones). I'm using Ranch Dog's TL358-100-RF and Lee 356-102-1R in my 380's now.

[abqcaster]

The Lee 356-102-1R got a good review on midway from a guy that uses it in .38spl and .357.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/550977/lee-2-cavity-bullet-mold-356-102-1r-9mm-luger-38-super-380-acp-356-diameter-102-grain-1-ogive-radius (user:Ted)

I use it and it drops right at .358 for me using COWW.

-ABQ

[Jal5]

The Lee 358125 RF may work for you, its good in 38/357 and in 9mm. If your .380 slugs at an appropriate diameter that you can size it down to this might work. Joe

[dualsport]

+1 for the Lee 358-125 RF. It works great in a .357, .38 Sp., 9mm, and a Bersa .380. My 6 cavity mold is very productive, drops them at .3595 in ww. I'm using this boolit more and more, instead of a heavier boolit. You can adjust hardness to go high speed or just as is tumble lubed for ultra light loads. Break those girls in right, they will enjoy shooting light loads. I always bring a .22 when starting new shooters. Usually that's the one they prefer.

[Blammer]

NOE 358242

I have this mould and it is great for 9mm and 357. Mine cast's fat at .360 dia but sizes down easy enough for 9mm.

the 125gr may be a bit heavy for 380.

there is also a 90gr 358242 NOE makes that is dandy for 380 and 9mm

[rintinglen]

Would you buy a pair of shoes for you and your wife to wear? No matter what you tried, somebody would be uncomfortable. Trying for a one-size-fits-all mold for the 380, 9mm and 38/357 is a bit much. I'd suggest two molds at minimum. The Lee 125 grain RF for the 38 and 9 MM, and a lighter boolit for the ,380. I use the Ranch Dog 100 grainer, but the Lee 102 RN or the Lyman 356-242 90 grain RN boolits would be fine for the .380. I don't like to spend someone elses money, but 2 lee molds aren't all that much. "One" will be a compromise that doesn't work well for anybody.

[Muddydogs]

Would you buy a pair of shoes for you and your wife to wear? No matter what you tried, somebody would be uncomfortable. Trying for a one-size-fits-all mold for the 380, 9mm and 38/357 is a bit much. I'd suggest two molds at minimum. The Lee 125 grain RF for the 38 and 9 MM, and a lighter boolit for the ,380. I use the Ranch Dog 100 grainer, but the Lee 102 RN or the Lyman 356-242 90 grain RN boolits would be fine for the .380. I don't like to spend someone elses money, but 2 lee molds aren't all that much. "One" will be a compromise that doesn't work well for anybody.

Well I am mainly looking for a 9mm mold that will do ok for 380 practice loads as I do not shoot the 380 very often. As for 38 I already cast 158 grain slugs for it, it would be nice to be albe to cast a lighter bullet if I see fit. My 380 slugged at .356 so that right there takes any .380 mold out of the equation and basically buts me looking at a .358 mold anyway. I have no intention of going with the 125 grain mold, I have been looking at Lee's 105 grain 6 hole mold plus a couple higher end ones.

Buying shoes and bullet molds is to differant things as my wifes feet run a size 7 and mine a 12 but for all 3 calibers I could get by with a .358 mold and a couple sizing dies. Like I said I would get something for the 9mm and try 380 and 38 if one of the calibers didn't like the bullet then I would make adjustments and in the case of the 38 I would just carry on with the 158 grain mold.

[rintinglen]

The analogy comparing shoes and bullet molds is closer than you might think.
If your guns have adjustable sights, then you'll have fewer problems, but fixed sight guns are a different matter. Case in point, I have an RCBS 32-84 mold that casts cute little 84 grain boolits that I shoot out of my 32 hand ejector. Thinking to save some money, I thought I'd give 'em a go in my Beretta Tomcat. They worked, but hit nearly 8 inches high and 4 to the left at 7 yards. Not really a good substitute. In my 9mms, I use the Lyman 356-242 120 grain RN sized .358. Lyman publishes data for it in the 380, but when I tried it, I ran into the same problem. My Walther spewed them high, and didn't group the well. Now I suppose a 105 grain boolit might split the difference, but I suspect it would hit low with the 9mm and high with the 380. Might not hurt as much as buying size 9 1/2 shoes and sharing them with the spouse, but it still wouldn't be ideal.
However, If you can only afford one mold (and I've been there), get one for the caliber you use most, and let the others make do. A 115-120 grain boolit, either RN, or TC, and you should be good to go in the 9mm, and it could still be used for occasional use in the 380 as well as light loads in the .38. Your money; your call. Good Luck.

[reloader28]

The Lee 358 125 RF works great in 380,9mm and 38spl.

We've tried them in several guns in each cal and not a problem.

[Bigslug]

Tom at Accurate Molds lets you custom order a base design tweaked for your preferred alloy and exact diameter. I figure if you asked him to make you a version of his 35-098S or 35-100L with the "as cast" diameter set to about .360", you could easily size to .357" for the autos and .359" for the wheelies.

[gwpercle]

I have the Lyman # 358345 mould, it is a 115 grain semiwadcutter, plain base design. I have used it to reload 380 auto. ( Walther PPK ) , 9 mm Luger ( WWII Walther P-38 ) , 38 special ( a variety of S&W J and K frames ) , all quite sucessfully. I haven't tried it in 357 mag. because of light weight and plain base. I have a gas check 155 gr SWC boolit for the mag. But 3 out of 4 ain't bad. I sized the auto,s .357 and wheel guns .358 and never had an accuracy or leading issue.
gary

[KCcactus]

I use the Lee 358-105-swc in my XD 9mm. I've read it works well in .380, but haven't tried it yet. It makes for a light 38 spl load, too.

[JIMinPHX]

The 102-gr Lee rn would be my first pick to use for all 3 calibers. It works great in every .380 & 9-iron that I've ever used it in.

The 105-gr Lee SWC would be another very good choice for most guns in those calibers too.

The 125 RNFP is a little much for a .380 in my opinion. I'm not going to say that it can't be done, but it would not be my first choice if I also had the above listed options available. It is however, a great all around boolit for .38spl & many 9mm guns.

[Artful]

The 105-gr Lee SWC would be another very good choice for most guns in those calibers too.

this would be on my recommend list as well - get a Lee 6 cavity and learn to use it correctly

[Ranger185]

+1 for the Lee 358-125 RF. It works great in a .357, .38 Sp., 9mm, and a Bersa .380. My 6 cavity mold is very productive, drops them at .3595 in ww. I'm using this boolit more and more, instead of a heavier boolit. You can adjust hardness to go high speed or just as is tumble lubed for ultra light loads. Break those girls in right, they will enjoy shooting light loads. I always bring a .22 when starting new shooters. Usually that's the one they prefer.

I just got this mold in yesterday ordered for the hopes of it working for my 9mm and 38spl. Just will have to keep them separate after sizing.