Lee 358-140-SWC any good?

[Deep Six]

I've been looking at the lee 358-140-SCW in the 6-cavity version as an all around boolit for my 38 special. I only cast for 44 and 45 currently but I'm tired of poor performance in my 38 using commerical cast bullets. I like the weight and it's usually hard to go wrong with a swc in a revolver. Anyone have experience with this design?

[morbidking]

If you cast a lot lee molds would be my last choice I have broken so many lee molds it's not even funny from spruce plate stripping out to warped molds rcbs or Lyman would be my first

If you cast a few a year lee would work for you if not go rcbs

[paul h]

I used to have a lee 158 swc six cavity mold and the bullet shot well out of my 357's. The 140 is just a shorter version of the same bullet and should work well. I'd try either that or the 125 rf. I have the lee 105 swc and accuracy just hasn't been as good as with heavier bullets.

I've had several 6 cavity lee molds and have never had a problem with them. The key is make sure you get the mold good and hot and don't let the sprue get too too hard before cutting it. If you're using a harder alloy and let the sprue get good and hard you can break the lever arm on the sprue plate.

[Deep Six]

I’m not asking about Lee molds in general. I have several Lee molds and several molds from the high quality and custom makers. I am well aware of the differences in material, construction, and quality. What I am asking about specifically is the 140 SCW design.

[oso]

Good enough for our snubbies. It's our carry boolit and we shoot a lot of them. Seems accurate as in 2-3" @ 12 yds off hand. Wife took out a 4 ft rattler - spined it 3 times with 3 shots - and I kept telling her to get closer 'cause I thought she was too far away and she was very "excited." Moral of the story: Don't upset Amy!
Have to disagree with paul's comparison since the Lee 158 gr SWC has more meplat than the 140 gr SWC - and only about 0.025" longer and the gas checked version I've tested is not as accurate for me as the 140 gr.

[Airman Basic]

I've got that very mold and use it in every 38-357 I've got. From 3 grains of bullseye to 15 grains of 296. Does well in all. 2 inch Ruger LCR, S&W 66, Blackhawk, and Rossi carbine. Running several thousand casts thru it and it spits 'em out as long as you do your part with lubrication and technique.

[Old Caster]

The 140's shape is probably fine but which revolver can make more of a difference. I have never had any SWC's shoot accurately in my N frame Smiths but they will shoot fine in my K frame revolvers and my Python. I suspect the N frame guns have tight throats but hardly ever shoot them so I haven't chased the problem. I think the most important thing you are about to change is that your alloy will be softer than the commercial bullets you have been buying and that is a plus for accuracy and less lead problems. Next, I would suggest a softer lube than commercial also unless you have intentions of going 800 fps or higher.

[Deep Six]

My only 38 at the moment is a 2.25" SP101 chambered in 357. I'm planning to add a lever action carbine and maybe a single action revolver in the near future though. I plan to lube with Ben's Red or tumble lube with 45/45/10.

[Old Caster]

I would say, go for it because I don't know of any reason not to. I wouldn't expect that many people have tested your 2.25 SP101 for accuracy as it wouldn't be expected to do that well mainly because of the sight radius being so short but a single action revolver with a longer barrel might do real well as will a carbine. I don't know if a short bullet like that will do as well as a heavier bullet in a carbine and you might get wiser replies on the lever action site on this forum because someone has already tried this I am sure. If you want to go with a mold that won't use much lead, you can go with the LEE 105. I had better results at 25 yards than I ever would have expected and was shooting it rather slow around 600 fps from a 6 inch barrel 14-2 Smith. I have never tried a 140 so I can't say if it is better but imagine they would perform about the same in your short pistol.

[Stevtrains]

I really wanted to be able to crank some swc out for my .357s so i picked one up when the 158s where all sold out. I load it in .38spl brass sticking out like the old .38-44 loads and have had great luck in both a 4" and a 2".

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/12/11/qudanyny.jpg

The one to the left is 158gr.

[MT Gianni]

The 140 gr swc has the smallest meplate available in 0.357. If you believe in striking force and meplate for tissue damage there are much better choices.

[Deep Six]

The 140 gr swc has the smallest meplate available in 0.357. If you believe in striking force and meplate for tissue damage there are much better choices.

Nah, I'm just looking for a plinking boolit for 38 special that I can crank out fast and will shoot good. The intermediate weight is what appeals to me about the 140. The 125s shoot low and barely make the gongs ring but 158s will drain the pot significantly faster. I'm hoping 140 is a nice sweet spot for the caliber.

I also plan to get a 160 gr WFN gas checked design for use in the small amount of .357 magnum I shoot, but that one will have to come from Accurate probably since no one offers what I'm looking for in a production 3+ cavity.

Besides that, I have plenty of bigger 44s and 45s if I'm concerned about tissue damage.

[doghawg]

I use the 140 Lee as a plinker in a couple of scoped .357's. I shoot unsized LLA lubed over 6 gr. of Power Pistol in the .357's for around 1050 fps. Load is pleasant and it gives a satisfying "tink" on the 50 yard swinger.
I load the 140 in .38 spl and it works real well in a 4" Smith model 15 also.

[paul h]

Nah, I'm just looking for a plinking boolit for 38 special that I can crank out fast and will shoot good. The intermediate weight is what appeals to me about the 140. The 125s shoot low and barely make the gongs ring but 158s will drain the pot significantly faster. I'm hoping 140 is a nice sweet spot for the caliber.

I also plan to get a 160 gr WFN gas checked design for use in the small amount of .357 magnum I shoot, but that one will have to come from Accurate probably since no one offers what I'm looking for in a production 3+ cavity.

Besides that, I have plenty of bigger 44s and 45s if I'm concerned about tissue damage.

While the lee 158rf is a plainbase (actually bb, but easily fixed with a reamer) it's a fine bullet and I've shot enough plain base 158 hp's over a max charge of H-110 in the .357 to be convinced a gas check is not necessary to prevent leading with the proper sizing and lube, and they were air cooled coww so not overly hard.

[Moonie]

If you cast a lot lee molds would be my last choice I have broken so many lee molds it's not even funny from spruce plate stripping out to warped molds rcbs or Lyman would be my first

If you cast a few a year lee would work for you if not go rcbs

Yay, just what we need, a new Lee basher... Isn't Lee still a sponsor?

[casterofboolits]

The Lee 140 SWC was what I first cast for the 38 Super Auto, pan lubed and sized with the hammer thru Lee size die. Never used it in a revolver. I still have single and double cavity molds for the 140.

[Garyshome]

I would like to try that mold out.

[Wally]

Have used it for years in the .38 Spl and .357 magnum...very accurate. The bullet hits as hard as a WC style. Use a 402 Top Punch and seating stem and it sizes/seats beautifully.

I've cast many thousands of bullets with an old Lee DC mold and have had no issues with it wearing out. IMHO Lee DC molds are very comfortable to cast with as they are so light.

[Pb Burner]

I'm a fairly new caster and I figured I would start with Lee molds. They are inexpensive and if I mess one up with a noob mistake, I'd rather it be a cheap one. The 140 Lee 6c was my first mold. I still don't think I could have made a better choice, as a beginner.
I tumble lube with 45/45/10, use the Lee push through sizer. The 140 has good to very good accuracy in a 3" Smith and 4" Ruger. I'm still playing with different powders and loads in 357 and 38spcl but nothing I've tried yet has shown poor accuracy or problems of any kind. I've tried very light up to 357 mag "mid" range loads....all good so far....I like this boolit.
If I bugger this mold up, I will buy another.

[another gsxr 1k]

I have one of them too. No complaints at all for me. A little clean up with some rubbing compound in a couple holes where the boolits would just drop free, and all is good. Mine seems to be consistant in dropping around .359. I pan lube mine with one of the formulas from here. I use it in a GP100, and my gf's Taurus poly protector.
If I do my part, I can usually get four out of 6 touching at 10 yards, with either revolver. Have cast thousands so far, works great for me.
Of course, I just punch paper with light to mid range loads. Typically load at 3.8g of HP-38 in .38 and 4.7 in 357.

[FergusonTO35]

My .38 revolvers like 'em just fine. Never tried them in .357's or long guns. I do wish the meplat was larger like a Keith design instead of the crayon shape it has.

[detox]

My 686 shoots lighter weight bullets best. Such as the RCBS 147gr 9mm mould and the RCBS 140gr Cowboy. I think the Lee 125-RF will work best for you if you are looking to buy cheaper.

These look cool loaded in the case...like a real good boolit should
http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=0000690306

[sghart3578]

I like it. Great plinker boolit.

[jaysouth]

I like them very much for range/plinking. I load them unsized in .38/.357Mag/.357MAX and sized to .357 in 9mm. My loads are fairly mild. I use them in a 66 Smith and a Handi-rifle to teach grandkids and neighbor kids the fundamentals of marksmanship and gun safety.

If culling wooly mammoth herds, or if mastadons and rogue elephants were trampling my flower beds, I might get something with a little bit more meplat, but for target shooting, small game and garden pests, the 140 SWC works great for me.

[shooting on a shoestring]

As noted above, the Lee 140 SWC is not a boolit to choose for defensive (or offensive) purposes. However, as the OP was looking for a target/plinking boolit to be cranked out in large quantities that would be a midrange 38 load.....yep this boolit fits that bill well.

One thing I was surprised at, this boolit is the best one in a .357 Blackhawk 4&5/8" I have. I load it over Longshot (can't remember the exact recipe) and run it between 1200 and 1300 fps. It flies well to 100 yards. I also like the tapered nose for dropping the rounds into the chambers. Good boolit for fun and games.

Oh and it does work well in my 38s too....but so do lots of others.