New 95 grain .356 RF mold from lee?

[exile]

I was looking at Midway's website today and noticed that there was a new 95 grain .356 round nose flat point mold being offered by Lee. I am assuming that this mold is intended for the .380 but was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on using it in the 9mm or .357 Sig?

It seems to me that the RNFP design would give better results than a RN in a defensive situation and also that the FN profile might work in the .357 Sig where other boolits might be too long?

Would this short light boolit have any problems with accuracy or tumbling in the 9mm or .357 Sig, or would there be chambering issues due to the boolit profile?

Thanks for your thoughts.

exile

[DLCTEX]

I'm interested in the mould for use in my wife's S&W Shield for practice rounds. Hope to hear of results from anyone.

[dkf]

This "new" design from Lee is the Ranch Dog design from previous group buys. I bought a 6 cavity version of this mold from Titan the beginning of the year.

I sized some to .357 and loaded some dummy rounds in .357sig at 1.135" COAL. It kisses the throat of my OE Glock barrel so I may need to shorten them up some. But the neck tension is superb and otherwise load fine. I have not gotten to shoot any for testing. Too many other irons in the fire right now.

I do shoot 90gr XTPs loaded into .357sig though. Accuracy is good and they are fun plinking rounds. However those are jacketed and going over 1475fps. I am signed up for the MP mold .380 boolit with gas checks which I am going to try in .357sig also.

[exile]

I looked on Midsouth's website and their 95 grain mold was TL style and the new mold on Midway's website had two conventional lube grooves.

exile

[dkf]

I looked on Midsouth's website and their 95 grain mold was TL style and the new mold on Midway's website had two conventional lube grooves.

exile

Midways pictures are wrong. The bullet in their picture is too long and it has one grease groove and one crimp groove.

This is what the bullet looks like.

http://leeprecision.com/mold-dc-tl356-95-rf.html

[rintinglen]

While an excellent boolit for the 380, I have had trouble with it leading in my 9mm P6. To get it fast enough to generate enough recoil to operate the slide, I have to run it in excess of 1200 fps, at which point I am getting pretty severe leading.

[exile]

dkf, the nose in the link you posted almost looks like a truncated cone design. Is that the way your boolits come out? I ask because I have a 124 grain TL truncated cone mold that works well for me and don't want to duplicate that.

exile

[exile]

Rintinglin, is a P6 a Sig 225? I had a 226, but wish I had bought a 225 or a 228 instead.

exile

[exile]

Considering the leading issue, I think I will pass on this mold. Glad I asked.

exile

[dkf]

dkf, the nose in the link you posted almost looks like a truncated cone design. Is that the way your boolits come out? I ask because I have a 124 grain TL truncated cone mold that works well for me and don't want to duplicate that.

exile

There is more meat to the nose than a TC bullet as their is a convex radius on it. The nose also has 3 degrees of draft. I have an Accurate 35-147S mold which is designed for .357sig. At the same COAL and sized to .357" this 95gr .380 hits the throat more and is more meaty at the nose than the 35-147S.

[OptimusPanda]

I realize I am resurrecting this thread from 8 months ago.... but to everyone who has this mold..How big are they dropping from the mold? I ask because both of my .380s need .358" bullets.

[tazman]

My 6 cavity drops right at .358. I typically use them unsized and tumble lubed in my 9mm.

[jcren]

I have both 2 and 6 cavity, the 2 had many issues, but the 6 drops right at 358 and I powder coat and size 358 for both my 380's

[rintinglen]

Mine drops at .357+, not quite a full .358, with range lead. If I add lino or 2% tin, it plumps up to an honest .358,

[Ranger 7]

Been using the Lee 95 Gr. six cavity and two cavity molds for over a month. Cast about 1200 rounds.
Shoots great, no problems, NO leading problems. All I use is Range lead.
Feeds my wife's Walther PPK/S .380 Auto.
Which is also great, surprisingly accurate.