OK, one last mold question..........

[leadhead]

Guys... Which gas checked mold do you think is the best one between
these two? Lyman 358156 SWC or the RCBS 38-162 SWC.
Thanks for any and all replies.
leadhead

[Winger Ed.]

They're both good, and well proven.
I'm not exactly sure why, but the Lyman does seem to be more of a favorite.

I don't know if its due to accuracy, or just because Lyman prints a loading manual for their molds
and people buy more of them because of that.

[Minerat]

I have the 358156, so I think it is the best because it was free. Also is consistent with the weight I like in J word boolits for my 38s and 357s.

[Bazoo]

I ain't tried the RCBS but if I was going GC mould that's where I'd look. RCBS moulds cast easier and with less issues than Lyman. RCBS offers data for their bullets atleast. It can be found in the one book one caliber manuals. Although in looking for an RCBS manual, the one book manuals are my go to as well as the Lyman manuals for regular and cast.

[rintinglen]

I have three RCBS 38-162C molds and a 4 cavity Lyman. The RCBS boolits are all slightly different in weight, which is a nuisance, but they shoot smaller groups. By a smidge. Neither shoots very well without a gas check.

[gwpercle]

I prefer the Lyman 358156 . It has two crimping grooves the upper for loading in, what was then , hard to find and expensive 357 magnum cases and the lower groove for loading into plentiful and cheap 38 special cases . 357 magnum cases were hard to get back in the 60's ... 38 special littered the range and were free for the picking up . I picked up buckets of them . Skeeter Skelton explained how to use this boolit to load almost nearly magnum loads in those free cases ... always the frugal loader ... I followed his directions .
This load has become one of my lifetime favorite pet 357 loads . It involve the #358156 and a 38 special case with the boolit seated in the lower crimp groove and a healthy charge of Unique powder (7.5 grains) that he listed ... the first groups were clover leaf's ... We had a Winner !
Gary

[Dragonheart]

If you powder coat your bullets you don't need the expense of a GC bullet, just a thought.

[leadhead]

I'm to old to get into powder coating.... I've been using lube for over 50 yrs and
it's worked very well for me. I guess you could say, I'm from the old school.
leadhead

[Kraschenbirn]

The Lyman 358156 was the first mold I purchased for smokeless loads (prior to that, I'd been casting for cap & ball BP only) so I guess I'm kind of partial to it. BTW, I still own (and cast) that same mold...a Lyman/Ideal 2C purchased around 1972-73.

Bill

[gwpercle]

I learned years ago ... not to be afraid of the gas check .
Skeeter Skelton and I believe in them in 357 magnum loads ... never fear the check !

Powder coating is an abomination and leading to the downfall of our county and the increase in hurricanes striking the Gulf Coast ... stop it !

[Winger Ed.]

Powder coating is an abomination and leading to the downfall of our county and the increase in hurricanes striking the Gulf Coast ... stop it !

I've had problems with powder coated boolits too.
I found one at the range, put it in my pocket, and carried it home to look at.

When I walked past the refrigerator- all the magnets fell off.

[leadhead]

Winger Ed.
Now that's funny. Like I said, I'm to damn old to start playing around with
powder coating. I've heard some bad stories about them too. Besides that, they look
sissy like with all the pastel colored bullets.
leadhead

[Dragonheart]

Winger Ed.
Now that's funny. Like I said, I'm to damn old to start playing around with
powder coating. I've heard some bad stories about them too. Besides that, they look
sissy like with all the pastel colored bullets.
leadhead

I was about 64 when I powder coated my first bullet, now I am 72 and I have coated over a hundred thousand. it was so easy, simple and quick. Old age has its problems, but you are never to old to learn.

Now can someone tell me where I put all this bullets?

[Bazoo]

Yep, bullets are supposed to be all grey and manly, not zombie green and ford blue. That said I'm going to try PCing and become familiar with it. It may be useful for a specific application, But I'll never give up my Lyman 450 or my 50/50 lube. I like the tradition of lube, same as I like wood and steel guns.

[skeettx]

WHAT would I do with my Air operated Star sizer?

[slim1836]

WHAT would I do with my Air operated Star sizer?

Send it to me ASAP. I'll even pay shipping.

Slim

[Greg]

preach on Brother..
I pray all ya'll is safe from the storm



Powder coating is an abomination and leading to the downfall of our county and the increase in hurricanes striking the Gulf Coast ... stop it !

[Big Ben]

I concur about not fearing the gas check. I used to avoid all molds with a check because I didn't know much about them. They are an added expense, but are worth it in my opinion.

[Walks]

To put the thread back on subject.
My 1st GC mold was the #358156, a 2cav. Soon after I got another 2cav, real cheap. Only cast about 2,000 bullets a year from them these days.
Not as many as I used to. Did 10,000 on one long wknd, once.
A few years later I bought the RCBS mold. It was stolen some years back.

I haven't missed it.

[ABJ]

I have the Lyman and have developed 25 yd bugeye loads in both 38 and 357. I do not have the RCBS but do have a gas check Lee. The Lee can shoot just as good as the Lyman but they are different loads with different powders. I would suspect the RCBS would do the same thing. I have found that gas checks on mid range pistol loads not to be worth the effort. Get on up to high end loads and are well worth the effort.
Tony

[stubshaft]

I have both of those molds and personally prefer the 358156.

[gwpercle]

My Lyman 450 was paid in full in 1972 ... I'm not about to cast it on the trash heap and buy more "stuff" ... I'll use the equipment I have ... more stuff is the last thing I need .
Besides ... them painted boolits just don't look right ...

If I was into "new and improved" my last handgun purchase wouldn't have been a old school Single Action Six Shooter would it !
Gary

[Mal Paso]

... them painted boolits just don't look right ...

It's hard to take them bubble gum colored bullets serious. LOL