358156 lyman mold?

[leadhead]

Has anyone shot this bullet in 357 without the gas check?
I would like to buy this mold but don't want to use the
checks. What say you. Thanks
Denny

[Wally]

I have tried...with mixed results. The accuracy was not good. I have heard some have had the mold reamed out so it no longer needs a GC. You'd be far better off buying a 358477, if you don't wish to use GCs.

[leadhead]

Thanks Wally. Yea, that's what I thought too. Used to be there were
all kinds of 358 molds on e-bay..... now, not so much. I will never
buy another Lyman new mold as the last few I bought, were all
under size. I'm trying to find an older one when they made them
right.
Denny

[Hanzy4200]

I don't have experience with that mold, but I've done a fair bit of reading on the topic. The general rule is you will never get great accuracy with a GC bullet without a GC. Basically like shooting a bullet with a uneven base.

[Txcowboy52]

I have tried and have had absolutely no luck !

[Bazoo]

I shot some without checks, I got close range plinking accuracy using starting loads of 2400. I dont remember exactly how accurate or inaccurate they were, but at 15 yards or so I hit coke cans and steel plates. So, if you don't have a lot of checks and want blasting or plinking ammo, it's certainly worth a try.

[ioon44]

I used it in the 1990's when I was shooting 9mm major loads without using gas checks, I found it to be a very accurate bullet with a hard alloy.

[gwpercle]

That was the first 357 magnum mould I bought after reading a Skeeter Skelton article and buying a new Ruger Blackhawk in 1971.
I can honestly say I only shot those boolits , sans GC's once , 10 rounds convinced me to ... Use The Gas Checks ... I had just cast them and was in a hurry to shoot...ignorance of youth .
I bought a large supply of checks , learned my lesson and never did that again .
Not too long ago I got in on a Group Buy and stashed away a lifetime + supply of checks just for that one boolt ... Skeeter was Right ... it's a 357 magnum Keeper ...but you gotta check it !
Gary

[mattw]

Might check NOE, I bet Al has it with or without the check. I keep a bag of checks on hand just to make that bullet and it's hollow point counter part. Best bullet in my 357 arsenal, hands down.

The old Ideal 358439 is also an excellent choice and it is not gas checked.

Al does have it! 4C plain base.
https://noebulletmolds.com/site/shop/358/360-152-swc-v5/360-152-swc-v5-4-cavity-pb-360477

That is listed as 360477, I do not like the 477, but I do not have a pic of my 156 handy to compare.

More proper design, but the weight is 165...
https://noebulletmolds.com/site/shop/358/360-165-swc-t5/360-165-swc-t5-2-cavity-pb

[Green Frog]

The 360477 looks more like the original... two crimping grooves to go longer or shorter. Skeeter reported using a heavy charge in a 38 Spl case and seating the bullet out long when he couldn't find sufficient 357 brass.

Apropos of nothing, this is the second classic Ideal design from NOE I've seen come out heavy. It so happens that my 314008 mould they made is about 8-10 gr heavier than the original as well. In my case, this bullet was intended for use in my 327 Fed Mag, so a little extra weight was desirable. I would guess that a little extra weight in your 38/357 might be a good thing as well.

Froggie