Anyone tried the Lee 356-95 in the 38 special?

[paul h]

I just ordered one of the 356-95 molds and was wondering if anyone has tried it in the 38 special? I never got the 105 swc to shoot as accurately as I'd like and was wondering if anyone had found the little rf mold worked better. I know it's listed as a .356" mold but it seems most folks find as cast is .358". If they come out small it could be the push I need to get into powder coating ;) I also figure it's the perfect excuse to get a .380.

[tazman]

I have that mold and it drops at .358 for me using range scrap. I tumble lube them and use them mostly in my 9mm.
I have used them in the 38 special. They shot ok, just to a much lower point of aim than I usually get. Not as accurate for me as larger boolits but good enough for plinking. Minute of pop can at 20-30 feet.
I never tried powder coating them. That might be a good idea.

[9.3X62AL]

No usage of these weight-class bullets in the 38 Special here. "95 grains" does kinda suggest a 380 ACP, doesn't it? :-)

[clum553946]

Good cowboy action bullet

[2wheelDuke]

Mine's the old Ranch Dog, but they come out at .358. I load them as light .38's for fun and for new shooters.

[fecmech]

I posted this sometime back using the RD bullet.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?139563-Ranch-Dog-380-bullet-38-spl

[bedbugbilly]

Paul - I don't have that mold nor tried them. I do have the 105 gr SWC mold and have had just "average" luck with them in my 38 specials. I use the 105 gr in my 38 Colt Shorts and they do pretty well out of my 3" J frame.

FWIW - my Lyman Cast Boolit Handbook does list data for the 92 gr. RN (358-242) for both 38 Spl. and .357 Mag. I have both the 92 gr and the 121 gr mold in 358-242 (they made that mold in both grain weights). I have some of the 92 gr. cast up but just haven't tried them in 38s - been playing with the 45 Colt too much. LOL

It will be interesting to hear how it works for you . . . and as you mention . . . if it doesn't work in the 38 it would be a good push to get a .380! I hope you'll post on what you experience with it in the 38 spell as well as what load you find works best with it. Enjoy!

[paul h]

Gotta love lee six shooters for production.

http://forums.accuratereloading.com/evefiles/photo_albums/3/4/4/344100033/4801013512_F1C04DEDFCC4E2C1A7E3CDF97477A6B8.jpg

Didn't have time to cast the full pot, but got enough to work up a load with a few left over. Hopefully the 45-45-10 will be dry enough tonight to load some up and the weather is semi reasonable on Friday for a range session.

[SSGOldfart]

So can we expect a range report on Friday night?
Btw Jim what loads did you use with that 150 RN? They drop at 151.4 grs.and .3585,no need to size also which lube??
Sorry Paul H I didn't mean to hi-jack your thread