Model 57 mold suggestions

[Buzzard II]

Hi!,
I'm looking for mold recommendations for a S&W Model 57 .41 magnum. It's got a 5 7/8 inch barrel. (Some call this 6 inch). I want to get molds for plinking (plain base) and hunting (gas check) and load data. Any and all info would be appreciated! Thanks in advance!
Bob

[Wally]

I have a Mo 57 in the 8" barrel. I've used 12 different molds...Lee, Lyman, & RCBS... for 30 years. I use the humble Lee 90330 195 SWC the most w/ 9.0 grains of Unique. Nothing wrong with the other cast bullets, but this is my favorite. Next is a discontinued Lee 210 WC...

[Guesser]

My 6" Model 57 has never met a mold that didn't work. I have several, all discontinued Lyman/Ideal. They all work in my 57 and my NMBH.

[theperfessor]

For a plain base mold the Lyman 410459 and the H&G 258 are nominal 220 gr SWCs. Not identical put close and both work fine out of my 4" M57. I don't have any GC molds in .41 so no recommendations there. Why? (a) not needed <my opinion> on a revolver bullet, and (b) good luck finding .41 GCs. They're out there but not nearly as widespread as .38/.44/.45 stuff.

The RCBS 210 SWC is also a good bullet but as with all RCBS molds it only comes in two cavity versions.

Mihec may have some molds left; there was a group buy a while back on 4 cavity brass molds that copied the H&G 258.

I love the .41 but it isn't at the top of the popularity chart, compare the number of Lee/Lyman/RCBS molds in .41 to the number of .44 molds they make.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I have the two Lee molds for 41, as well as a NOE "Keith Type" RG2 Hollow point mold and the Ranch Dog 411-255 (both Plain base and GC) ...but mostly I cast using a Saeco #411. It is a Plain based SWC style that weighs 230gr. That's my Fav for my S&W 41Mag.

IMHO, I find that the 255gr Ranch Dog is kinda heavy for a S&W revolver.

[birddog]

I too have the S&W 657 and also Ruger BH and have the lee 195, RD 255, MP 413640. All shoot well
Charlie

[Lefty Red]

I have a Mo 57 in the 8" barrel. I've used 12 different molds...Lee, Lyman, & RCBS... for 30 years. I use the humble Lee 90330 195 SWC the most w/ 9.0 grains of Unique. Nothing wrong with the other cast bullets, but this is my favorite. Next is a discontinued Lee 210 WC...

Both of those worked for me in my Ruger BH and friend's S&W 57. I pushed it at sonic speeds with Blue Dot, in the BH of course. Read too much of Paco Kelly I guess! But the LEE 195-SWC-GC and a does of Blue Dot in the teens was a great shooting load that didn't leave me looking for the BH's basepin or cylinder!

[Thin Man]

I have a pair of 41's, a S&W M58 and a Taurus M415 with the short ported barrel. Both of these respond well to the Lee 410-195-SWC but that mold is available in only a 2 cavity. I also have an Ohaus 41-210-K (single cavity) and a group buy 410-220-K (6 cavity) from some time ago. Both of these last 2 molds create boolits that are too long, when crimped in the crimp groove, to load into the short cylinder of the Taurus, but work well in the S&W. This is an issue with the revolver, not the molds. For immediate fun you could start with the readily available Lee mold, then add on others as they come available. Chances are that you will be happy enough with this mold you may not need anything more.

Thin Man

[sixshot]

I've had several 41 moulds over the years & they were all great but my favorite has always been the Saeco #411, 230 gr Keith slug. I've taken deer, elk & bear with it in the last 40 years. Another favorite is an LBT 250 WFN, took my last elk with that bullet, broke both front shoulders & exited, the elk dropped at the shot.

Dick

[captaint]

My mod 57 is also 6 inch. My first mold was the RCBS 200 gr SWC. My next mold was the Miha 200 gr HP, both molds were/are plain base. The Miha 200 gr HP shot so well, I still haven't loaded up the RCBS boolits. I have a bunch of them cast up, just haven't loaded any. Mike

[Buzzard II]

Thanks to all for the great info! I bought the 2 Lee molds and found a used 2 cav. Lyman 410459 on flea bay. I think that should do for now! Can't have too many molds!

[osteodoc08]

My favorite bar none is the traditional H&G 258 clone that MiHa put out. 223gr of COWW awesomeness.

My favorite GC design Is the Accurate 411250V. It is a copy of LBT's 255gr WFN GC and has been exceptionally accurate and you can get impressive velocities out of 296 and LilGun.

As far as GC for the 41, the industry standard is now the Hornady 416 GC and is relatively easy to find. Blammer also sells them and are top notch.

[Combat Diver]

I'm using 3 different molds currently for my .41 needs. The Ranch Dog 6 cav TL411-255-RF (non GC, designed for the Marlin 1894s), Lee TL195-SWC (single cav) and a borrowed Saeco 210gr SWC 2 cav.


CD

[AggiePharmD]

Bumping this to the top for sizing recommendations in the M57. What are you sizing to?

[376Steyr]

NOE just ran a excellent 224 gr. SWC, with several still in stock: http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/index.php?cPath=40&osCsid=tjq4s4velkfoboqlqgpg80daq4

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Bumping this to the top for sizing recommendations in the M57. What are you sizing to?
I size to .412

[osteodoc08]

I size to .411"

45cal was generous enough to turn me out a custom sizing die that sizes to .4115 but haven't used it yet

[osteodoc08]

NOE just ran a excellent 224 gr. SWC, with several still in stock: http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/index.php?cPath=40&osCsid=tjq4s4velkfoboqlqgpg80daq4

An awesome one to be sure.

[Combat Diver]

I also size to .411. Don't have my M57/657s anymore but still shoot my M58 Smith, 14" TC Contender and Marlin 1894S.


CD

[AggiePharmD]

Thanks fellas.

[ko41]

My Smith & Wessons have always liked the Lyman 410459 sized to .410

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k193/ko41/41bullets_cast_zps570a8478.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k193/ko41/others/SW57_1tgt_zps0a1890ab.jpg

KO

[Groo]

Groo here
There was a group buy for a 41 hp/flat nose some time back.
45 2.1 design 640 type that was 175gr hp and about 200gr flatnose and levergun/short cylinder friendly.
That mold would cover much of your shooting needs.
I am not a big "heavy" bullet fan but I do have a 295 gr 41 mold from SSK if I needed it. [or buy them from Penn Bullets]
If sized right , lubed right and of the correct hardness, gas checks are not needed.

[AggiePharmD]

Groo thanks for the info. Was it a MP or NOE? Do you recall.

[Groo]

Groo here
MP has them.
The boolet is like a Winchester Silvertip [that we cant get]
Search for 41 molds by 45 2.1 ....

[GLynn41]

NOE still has the 410459 clone in solid and HP///the 41028 -- shoots well and will fit the tracker- had and got rid of it DUMB-- the two discontinued .411 220K and .411 230K (I have if one can find them are very good also- one really does not have to have a gc - but if you want them the very easily found Blammer is an example on this board- i save them for my 41 GNR 9" TC and 410 GNR 5.5 RedHawk