S&W 686 joins the herd-need a new mold!

[kingstrider]

I collect prelock S&W revolvers and normally stay away from the new ones but found this 686 locally and couldn't pass it up. The previous owner said he'd only shot about 100 rounds through the gun but it looks like new with the box and all the paperwork. Best of all, I only paid $300 plus a couple boxes of plinker .45acp ammo or about $325 invested. Not bad considering these go for $570 new at my local Sportsmans Warehouse. Anyway I already reload .357 and have a ton of jacketed bullets but am now in the market for a new mold to cast my own. Any suggestions??
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t138/kingstrider/6864a.jpg
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t138/kingstrider/68610a.jpg

[chickenstripe]

I'd start with the 358156.... for a GC mold.

[Kraschenbirn]

Haven't tried (or even handled) one of the "trigger-lock" S&W 686s but have been quite satisfied with all three my "pre-lock" L-frames. You didn't mention what you plan to shoot your cast boolits for (plinking, target, IDPA...?) but I don't think you can go wrong with a 158 gr SWC like the Lyman 358156, the Lee 358-158-SWC, or the RCBS 38-158-SWC. All are gas-check bullets but I've found, under 900 fps, that the gas checks can be omitted without any leading or loss of accuracy. Also, for an all-around plinker/practice load, I've found that it's hard to beat the good ol' 148 gr. bevel-base wadcutter (Lyman, Lee, or RCBS) cast from straight WW.

Bill

[StrawHat]

Look at Lyman 358429 or 358439.

I also like the 358156 bullet.

[Alchemist]

I've also had good luck with RCBS's 38-150 SWC...it's a PB design and works well from WWs in .38 Spl cases, or add a little linotype if you want to shoot 'em harder in Mag cases.

[sagamore-one]

H & G 51..... push em hard , push em hard, push em hard. Use Lyman # 2 alloy, 50/50 beeswax- alox, size to .358. Push em hard.

[AlaskaMike]

RCBS 38-150-SWC works great in my model 28 even with full power loads using plain WW. No leading and excellent accuracy.

Mike

[uncle joe]

+1 for strawhat
I like the 357429 170 gr
it works great for plinkin. I use a single cav lyman, but just bought a 6 hole lee in the 140gr pb that will fill up a can with boolits quick. Haven't tested any loads with it yet but boy i got lots to try.
JE