.358 dia molds. advice on filling the gap in my choices

[s1120]

OK, so right now I have a 358-311 rn, and a 358-495 wc Lyman molds. I shoot them out of a s&w model 19, for target and plinking. I'm also tossing around maybe a 357 lever rifle some day. So some advice on a mold to fill the gap between the wc, and the rn, and also a good boolet for lighter, to Med 357 loads. I'm thinking a swc of some sort, but what one, or any other styles? For more info, I'll be sizing with a old Lyman lubesizer.

[Ben]

The Lyman 358477 ( a 150 gr. plain base bullet ) would be a good one for you.
The RCBS 150 gr. plain base is also a good one. Even a Lee SWC bullet would be a good one for you.

Of course Accurate molds, NOE molds, etc have a wide selection of SWC molds also in 38 / 357 mag.

[GLL]

As Ben suggests you should at least take a look at the various catalog offerings from Accurate Molds.
Tom can also modify any design to fit your particular needs and have them to you in just a few days time !

http://www.accuratemolds.com/

Jerry

[DHurtig]

My favorites are my Lyman 358 429 which drops a 170 grain Keith style SWC and my 358 439 which is the same bullet but is a 158 gr HP. For lighter loads, I like the Lee 125gr RNFP. Dale

[Idaho Mule]

I like the RCBS 150 wadcutter, but their 158 CM (round flat point) is a better "all around" mold for me. The 158 CM feeds better thru my Marlin 1894. I also have a Lyman 358-311 round nose that shoots well in both pistol and carbine, but is only single cavity so takes a while to cast up a supply. Lee also makes a 158 gr RNFP in six cavity and I think it would be a good one. For a more medium weight, I believe RCBS makes the same profile in a 140 CM that should be an excellent mold. Hope this helps. JW

[Thin Man]

I would vote for the Lyman 358156. This is a gas checked semi-wadcutter that weighs 155 grains +/- depending on your alloy mixture. It behaves well in the 357 Magnum cartridge for revolvers, and is my "go-to" boolit for a Rossi '92 clone. Look at this pattern and give it some consideration.
Thin Man

[Echo]

I agree with the above - ALL of the above - in other words, there is a veritable surfeit of 38SWC molds out there. If I had to pick just one to suggest, I would go with the -477, since the OP was asking for a light to medium load.

[detox]

The RCBS (82305) or Lyman (358665) 158 Cowboy boolits shoot better than the Keith design in my 686.

[s1120]

I would vote for the Lyman 358156. This is a gas checked semi-wadcutter that weighs 155 grains +/- depending on your alloy mixture. It behaves well in the 357 Magnum cartridge for revolvers, and is my "go-to" boolit for a Rossi '92 clone. Look at this pattern and give it some consideration.
Thin Man

I have a hand full of bullets that I believe are from that mold. Looks like a nice projectile. I dont know if I will need a Gas check though. Im not looking to load many high speed 357 mags. Ill look into the 358-477 though. That looks like it might fill my need at this time. Ill also look more into the flat point "cowboy" bullets. Thanks for the tips

[tward]

+1 with dhurting on 358429 and the Lee 125 gr rnfp, both are a joy to cast and to shoot.! Tim

[ShooterAZ]

I have the RCBS 38 140 CM (cowboy mold), and it is a fine one. For some reason it is WAY more accurate than any SWC designs that I have ever tried. It's a round flat design, and is by far my favorite 38 cal boolit. 3.5 gr of Titegroup in 38 Special cases is my favorite plinking load of all time.

[MtGun44]

I agree with Ben's choices, but add in the Lee 358 158 RF a superb example of the LBT style
of design. Unfortunately, it has a BB, but that is it's only flaw, as far as I can tell.

Bill

[paul h]

Personally I prefer the LBT style or ogival wadcutters over SWC's. The lee 158 rf previously mentioned is a great bullet, and with a six cavity mold you can crank them out in no time. I've been wanting to try Lee's 125 rf but whenever I've looked for one they have been out of stock. If you really want to conserve lead and have a mild plinking bullet the Lee 105gr swc is a good bullet and worth having one of the molds.

If you're considering hollowpoints, the MiHec 359640 is outstanding and produces either a ~158gr hp or a 170 gr ogival wadcutter. Accuracy is outstanding and the molds are amazing.

[detox]

I have the RCBS 38 140 CM (cowboy mold), and it is a fine one. For some reason it is WAY more accurate than any SWC designs that I have ever tried. It's a round flat design, and is by far my favorite 38 cal boolit. 3.5 gr of Titegroup in 38 Special cases is my favorite plinking load of all time.

Both the RCBS 140 and 158 Cowboy boolits are good shooters and are very easy moulds to cast with. Very durable also. I lended my RCBS 158 Cowboy mould to a friend and he casted about 1000 boolits and it still produces perfectly round boolits.

Using same powder charge my RCBS 158gr travels about 50 fps faster than the 158gr Lyman Cowboy.

Size nose first in the .357 Lee sizer then lube in the .357 Lyman