I need information on bullets for a .357.

[bigarm]

I ordered this bullet mould for my lever action (Rossi, in this case) and my revolver: 360 150Gr. RN 2 cavity PB (38 Spl.), NOE Bullet Moulds (http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/product_info.php?cPath=35&products_id=1155&osCsid=1d36ho4jke1itcl1kdrh0dpp97)

It is a 360 size 150 grain round nose bullet. I will be sizing it to .358 and powder coating and then sizing again to .358 after powder coating. With my other cast bullets I am finding it easier to size before and after, less physical work. I was asking about powders for light loads on the SASS wire because they shoot a lot of really light loads. They said I should not use this bullet in a lever action rifle. Now I know that you should not use pointed bullets, but this is not very pointed. I ordered this mould because NOE was having a sale and the 160 grain wfn was not in stock: 360 160gr WFN 2 Cavity PB BRASS, NOE Bullet Moulds (http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/product_info.php?cPath=35&products_id=147)

So, my question is this - will the mould I have be okay? I have already heat treated it as per NOE's directions so can not return it and if I order another mould my wife will be upset, so I would rather use this one. However, if it will be dangerous, I will order something else and probably try to sell this one.

[44magLeo]

Your first bullet you list being a round nose will put the very tip of the bullet on the primer of the cartridge in front of it. If the bullet is hard enough it might cause the primer to detonate.
The flat nose of the second bullet, being larger than the primer will rest on the case. This prevents primer detonation.
Leo

[bigarm]

The first one is the one I have. The other one was not in stock so I got the first one.

[44magLeo]

Until you get another mold, use that one, just don't load more than two in tube. Then when you lever in the first round there is only one in the tube. This will prevent any incidents.
A lot of lever action cartridges use round nose bullets. These are jacketed bullets with a soft nose.
These rifles were in longer cartridges and only held 5 or 6 in the tube. The 357 can hold ten rounds. This puts more weight in the tube. This extra weight might increase the odds of cartridges going off.
Use soft alloy bullets and don't load more than 5 in the tube and you should be fine.
Using a 1/8 inch drill bit to hollow point your bullets will remove the point of the round nose.
Leo

[4719dave]

BUY ANOTHER MOLD ,,,RNFP is the best choice my 2 cents

[44magLeo]

I agree, I was giving him a few options to use what he has until he gets a new mold.
Leo

[bigarm]

Well, darn I guess it goes up for sale before I even use it.

[ballistim]

I usually use that as an excuse to buy a new gun to fit the mold ;-)

[waco]

Almost all 30-30 factory ammo I see is RN design.......

[Artful]

read here
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?263616-lever-action-magazine-explosions

That done, I've used over 1000 rounds of this boolit in my Rossi 92 without issue.
Lyman 358311
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1601/1799754/18008472/395798679.jpg
I see no issue as the recoil on my Rossi is slight (like an overside 22LR)
and only time I know of warnings it always seems to be heavy recoiling carbines like 44 magnum.
You can use CCI or Winchester as they have harder primer cups and just make sure your primers are seated below your case head.
http://www.forsterproducts.com/client_images/catalog19938/pages/images/press_art2.gif

top to bottom
Don't squish em
don't leave em sticking up
just gently seat them so anvil is supported - just right!

Factory 38 special LRN 150 grain
http://cdn3.volusion.com/oemoc.mhwsn/v/vspfiles/photos/Q4196-2.jpg
think they would sell it without a warning if it was an issue?

[searcher4851]

Round nose or pointed bullets are not considered safe in a tubular magazine, lever action rifle.
The 30-30 rounds with the round nose that have been sold for years are said to not be a concern because of the rather large rim of the case keeping the cartridges from lining up directly in the tube, and the fact that the tips of those bullets are dead soft lead.
Some people are willing to take more risks than others.
Personally, with a soft alloy, and light loads, I would think you are reducing the risk, but not eliminating it.
I shoot levers in several different calibers, including a couple of Rossi's in 38/357. I've opted to not use RN bullets in my reloads, even the light loads, for any of the tubular magazine rifles. I cast my bullets in the 12 BHN range. I do load RN bullets for my revolvers though. Same bullet weights, and powder charge as the light rifle loads, just to keep things a little simpler when reloading. I do that because it just makes them that much easier to load into the cylinders of the revolvers.

In the end, it's up to you what you feel safe with.

[mnewcomb59]

Guys round nose are fine. I shot round nose FMJ in max 357 loads in my Rossi tube, and not the slightest dent in a primer.It literally doesn't kick hard enough. Not to mention it is a rimmed cartridge so the bullet doesn't even line up with the primer. You ever see a 30-30 round? What shape is the nose? You ever see how pointy a firing pin is?

Maybe if we were into shoulder breaking, water buffalo stopping pointy 45-70 loads would I be worried. You think rossi would sell the gun without putting up a warning about the MOST COMMON 38 round? If it was at all dangerous, they would have stamped it into the metal somewhere like the warnings on pistols "Warning: gun can fire with magazine removed" "Warning: 125 grain ammo only (some old SP101s)"

[Artful]

The SP101's warning was due to length of cylinder (the 158's were too long for it).

[Hickok]

You might try the Lee 358-158 RF. For about $20, it is a great deal. Just not sure about feeding in lever actions as it has a wide meplat.

I have this mold and it casts beautiful boolits.

[bigarm]

I sold that mould to another person on this forum and ordered a mould from Accurate. He said he was about 2-3 weeks out on orders so we will see in a while. I ordered a 36-158C.

[Orchard6]

You might try the Lee 358-158 RF. For about $20, it is a great deal. Just not sure about feeding in lever actions as it has a wide meplat.

I have this mold and it casts beautiful boolits.
X2! And its all I shoot in my Rossi. Feeds without any issues for me.

[mnewcomb59]

I shoot the Lee 158 RF everywhere from 1000 to 1800 fps in the Rossi and at all those speeds, I've managed to get 1" at 50 yards. Titegroup on the low end, and just above starting loads for Lil Gun on the high end.

At the 38 special level, I can switch in the lee 150-1R for less damage on small game and it shoots to the same spot as the 158.