lee 2 cav .358 rf 158gr mold dilema

[twc1964]

Ok guys, since the budget is tight these days, i thought id buy the lee 158gr rf mold (2cav). Now i see other posts talking about how crappy they are. i really like the large metplat design of these bullets but the 6 cav model is a bit higher and having to buy handles separately adds to the cost. gotta keep the wife happy and spending really doesn't help that lol. what are your thoughts on this mold? thx for the replies.

[jmort]

I have one, like it and plan to buy a second one. For around $20.00 I am not complaining. Great all around Boolit. I have molds from Lee, Accurate, HM2, MiHec and Ace. If I were starting out in .357, I would start with the Lee Precision DC 158 grain RF. Again, for $20.00 that is a really good Boolit/deal.

[twc1964]

Jmortimer, thanks guy, i hoped someone would chime in. i see the prices of the 2 cavs are holding around 20 bucks but 6 cavs have went up 5 bucks in the last 2 weeks on several sites. dam economy lol.

[tazman]

Properly set up and used, the Lee 2 cavity molds will do an excellent job for most people. I have several and they work just fine.
If you are referring to the boolit itself, The 158 rf is an excellent performing boolit in my guns. I load it in 38 special using normal charges and 357 with light magnum charges. Works well for me.

[twc1964]

I will be using coww with a bit of pewter thrown in for fill out for now but eventually i want to add a bit of antinony and rev it up a bit in 357.

[Ed_Shot]

I get great performance with the Lee 358-158-RF in both pistol and rifle. I must say that I prefer Lyman molds but I have several Lee 2 cav molds and I got a machinist friend to install set screws for the all sprue plate screws for me. My Lee's are easy to use and cast quality boolits. I have never had a Lee mold that cast undersized boolits

[DLCTEX]

Water dropping ww boolits will be hard enough to stand up to 357 mag velocity. IMHO. I bought a #8 thread tap with a #29 drill bit at Ace Hardware for $4.69 and #8x32 set screws for. 23 ea. Drilling and tapping the hole is simple. It makes sprue plate adjustments easy. I am doing all my Lee mould.

[wlc]

That is actually my favorite mold for 38 special. I "leemented" it to get it to drop easier, but other than that I've cast over a thousand of them with not a hiccup. I've actually thought about buying another one to put back for "just in case".

[tazman]

I have never had a Lee mold that cast undersized boolits

I have one Lee mold out of the nearly 15 I own that throws undersized boolits. It is a 6 cavity 358 150 rn. I haven't been using it because it is about 2 thousandths under where I need it to be. I just started powder coating so I think this would be a good candidate for pc.

[Hooker53]

Tazman. If you don't mind me asking, What charge and powder are you throwing behind this Boolit for .38 SP and .357 Mag? TWC, didn't mean to hijack and thanks for letting me ask. I just used this Lee mold for the first time today and right out of the box after a few warm ups they were perfect. Not a seam. Nothing. Now another new one at 125 Gr. is a diff story.

Roy.

[leadhead]

I bought that same mold awhile back and it throws really nice bullets.
The only thing I didn't like about it was the bevel base. The lube would
build up on the bevel and was a pain to clean off. I took a sharp pen
knife and cut the bevel from the mold... Now it throws a nice plain base.
Denny

[twc1964]

I do plan on drilling and installing set screws on this mold. if anyone can shoot some pics of lee mods easily done at home id really appreciate it. I'm really a visual guy, if i see it i can usually git er done. thx all

[Lefty Red]

My goto bullet for all 38 special and 357 magnum loads.
An older LEE 358-150-SWC is the only thing I like better.
Plan on buying a HP version, 358-158-RF, from Eric when he gets some more made up.

Lefty

[jmort]

There is a great thread about putting in set screw and another for the handles aside from the stickies.

[tazman]

My goto bullet for all 38 special and 357 magnum loads.
An older LEE 358-150-SWC is the only thing I like better.
Lefty
I have that old Lee 150 swc in a 6 cavity mold I picked up a long time ago. Wonderful boolit. Very accurate in my revolver.

[220]

I like the design but got a dud with my 2 cavity, throws out of round .358 x.356 will have to lap it out one day and see how it goes then.
I normally buy the 2 cavity, see how they shoot then upgrade to a 6 cavity if they shoot to my satisfaction. Can usually sell the 2 cavity for only a few $ less than they cost me.

[Lefty Red]

I have that old Lee 150 swc in a 6 cavity mold I picked up a long time ago. Wonderful boolit. Very accurate in my revolver.

I just picked up another 150-SWC one this week! Don't want to be with out it.

[TXGunNut]

A Lee 2-cav mould is one of the best deals in the casting business. 220 is right, it's a great way to see if a boolit will work in your guns before stepping up to a 6-cav. Newer 2-cav's are pretty decent moulds, one boolit I cast is only available in the 2-cav and it drops great boolits.

[reloader28]

My favorite boolit also.
I did cut the bevel base off and I use a plain base gas check for 357.
I ran 3 thousand or so boolits through my first mold. Then I hollow pointed it and bought a new mold of the same design.
The solid is an excellent deer boolit.

[leadman]

I use this boolit alot. Even shot it in my Marlin 357 lever gun at around 1,600 to 1,700 fps with water quenched coww. A good lube like Carnuba Red or LBT Blue Soft works great. Now my son has the rifle.
I am using the Hi-Tek coating and it protects the boolits even at high velocity.

[41mag]

Well I had that same mold, but I payed it forward to a fellow who was just starting out casting. I figured it worked so well it would spoil him right quick and I was right.

I purchased the 6 C version shortly after sending him my 2C one and haven't had a chance to break it in yet. It's not a big thing though, I poured up around 15# of them from the 2C before I shipped it off.

I have a couple of 38 Spl's and GP-100's, and a few Contender barrels from 6-14" that all shoot them very well. That was the only reason I upgraded to the 6C.

[Frank V]

I've used a Lee double cavity .38/150gr SWC for almost 15 years. It throws great bullets & is easy to use.
I'd get the RNFP if you want one, I think it'll serve you well. You just have to be gentle with the Lee moulds, but we should be gentle with any mould.

[Poygan]

I'm happy with this boolit. I have about a dozen Lee one or two cavity molds and don't have the problems others have. Maybe I've just been lucky.

[DxieLandMan]

I've used several Lee molds and I love them. Never had a problem with them and this is the only brand of molds I have.