.358 molds

[Mauser1892]

Can anyone care to recommend a 357 mold for self-defense boolits.
The firearms are S&W 2 1/2 inch bbl, CharterArms 5 inch bbl and
S&W 6 inch bbl. I use mostly WW lead with wax alloy lube.
Thanks

[VariableRecall]

I'm no expert, but I've had great success with 158gn SWC Boolits in my .38 Special S&W Model 10-5. Considering that the WW Lead would be generally quite soft, so If you're taking them to Transonic or supersonic speeds, you're going to need a Gas Check on them.

I'd assume that if you use a Hollow-Point SWC, that should provide plenty of expansion to prevent an over-penetration event.

I haven't tried 158gn SWC's in a .357 revolver yet. However, considering how much I like em in .38 Special, they should do fine when it gets speedy in .357.

[Winger Ed.]

Hollow points are the favorite, but a Keith style SWC is sort of a 'do all' too.

[Bazoo]

RCBS 38-150-SWC, lee 358-158-SWC would suffice.

[Wheelguns 1961]

I use an mp-molds 359- hammer with a large hollowpoint. They weigh about 155 grains.

[Harter66]

The best bullet I've shot in 38/357 and 9×23 rimmed has been the 358-158 RNFP Lee .

[avogunner]

With my 2.5" barreled S&W 66, I like the Lyman 358156. Checked and on top a suitable load of H110, it makes a potent defense option.

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[tinhorn97062]

The best bullet I've shot in 38/357.....has been the 358-158 RNFP Lee .

Same. Incredibly accurate, very good penetration, and happens to be my “carry load” over 5gr of Unique. I don’t feel under gunned with this load whatsoever.

[Conditor22]

IF you do your part, the lee 358-158-SWC will get the job done

[poppy42]

158 swc or 158 rn. No problem As long as you hit where are you supposed to

[rockrat]

If short range, I would think a full wadcutter would work well

[ABJ]

I agree with Rockrat, and most times on fixed sight revolvers they will shoot pretty close to point of aim. Another favorite of mine is the Lee 158-round flat. I prefer heavy for caliber for self defense vs 125 range. If I could only have one boolit it would be the 158 rf.
Tony

[marek313]

As mentioned by everyone else Lee 158 RNFP is great to start with.

[mdi]

Just a thought; I have never tried for or depended on expansion for an effective cast handgun bullet. For me, bullet shape is better for reliable effectiveness. My revolvers get SWC or RNFP bullets and are used with my "Mystery Metal" alloy (about 12 BHN). I have two favorites for 38/357, one is a Lachmiller 160 gr SWC and the other is a Lee 358-125-RF (also use it in my 9mms).

But a FWIW, I have a load I often use in my 3", 38 Special "House Gun", a 150 gr DEWC cast from a close to 12-14 BHN alloy loaded over a max charge of W231, or equivalent. Good accuracy at 10 yards, effective shape.

[Wooserco]

For a self defense round, ease of reloading should be part of the equation. A full house wad cutter in a loaded gun to start. At least two speed loaders filled with the Lee 358-158 RNFP for ease of slipping into the chamber. My wife's S&W M60 snubby has the shorter ejection rod, so I have loaded the speed loaders with 38 spl rounds with the Lee 358-158 RNFP. Much easier loading than the wad cutter and no shoulder to hang up like the SWC. JMO.

[BrutalAB]

If you are stuck with coww as your only alloy, a hollowpoint between 158 and 200 grains is what i would suggest. Otherwise try to get the baddies to line up for you, cause ive seen what kind of penetration a 170 Keith swc will do with coww alloy.
Ive got a 125 grain hollowpoint mould that with coww the expansion breaks off within the first few inches and then the base penetrates a few more. Am much more satisfied with my 185 grain hollow points, though im not using coww in them either. Cause, again, the expansion breaks off fast and then left with a base that penetrates a bit further. Just seema like i remember the base penetrating a reasonable depth with the extra weight. Going off my memory and own experiences ymmv.

But you didnt say what you are defending ftom and i assumed the 2 legged threats.

[RU shooter]

I'm partial to a button nose wadcutter , but wouldn't want to stand in front of any of the swc or flat nosed designs

[popper]

150is FP of some sort and learn to aim. You don't have 15-19 rnds. Watch some utube of close encounters of the bad kind. If in the open spaces, learn to run fast.

[00buck]

In my state it bad to shoot someone with evil hollow point bullets.
You would be in big trouble.

Soft point bullets are ok ... I guess.

Not a gun friendly state, in the least bit.

[beagle]

A target wadcutter loaded properly does well for this purpose and stands up well in court as opposed to a nasty big open maw SWC hollow point. Kinda shows you were using your "practice" loads in an "emergency" as opposed to pre-meditating mayhem. At the first shot 99.999% of the perks will elect to go elsewhere for their activities and the wadcutter ain't no slouch at close range as a man stopper. Don't worry about reloading. It will be over in 6 shots anyway, one way or another. If you worry about a sustained firefight, get a M-60 and a couple of cans of 4 in 1 ball/tracer and feel safe./beagle

[rintinglen]

For over 40 years the correct answer is a Hollow point 158 +P. Variously known as the "Chicago Load", the "St. Louis Load", the "FBI load" and probably one or two more I am forgetting, this set the standard for stopping power in police service revolvers and I have seen nothing (reputable) to show that it has been excelled since. Ignore the RNFP and WC, SWC references. They are better than some, but if you intend to spend money for life insurance, buy the best.

In ordinary times, I would recommend you order a box of Federal 38G or Winchester X38SPD, but that doesn't apply now.

For me, since 2012 I have been buying HP molds for all my carry guns, so that I can make my own. I have Hollowpoint molds now ranging from a 70 grain 32 ACP MP up to a 45 ACP NOE.

For making your own you want an MP-360-640 or an MP 359-640 with the large pin. Or if those aren't available, NOE makes a number of 158-ish molds available with Al's RG HP system. E.g. 360-158-WFN-T4 2 Cavity RG2 PB Brass, 360-162-WC-AW3 2 Cavity RG2 PB, 360-163-SWC-AT1 2 Cavity RG2 PB.
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Those in the GP 100 Picture are 44 Specials loaded with 432-640 MP boolits ~245 grain, those with the J-frame 38 are 158 grain MP 359-640s. In The next frame the 9mm and the 38 cartridge are both loaded with NOE 358-128 grain boolits, the NOE 45 HP is shown by itself and with a 22 SHORT stuck in the hollow point of the loaded round. The last of the photos is an MP mold for an HP.

[sniper]

RCBS 38-150-SWC, lee 358-158-SWC would suffice.

Right! The RCBS 38-150-swc was my first mould, but sadly no one offers bullets from it for sale!

[gwpercle]

NOE 360-160-WC PB
Cast as solid or hollow point . Based on Lyman 358432 design but with improved front driving band .
This bullet is extremely accurate , full wadcutter hits hard and 160 grain weight shoots to fixed sighted handguns sights .
I was brought up reading Elmer Keith and loaded SWC boolits for decades all his weights...
I'm sorry Elmer but this wadcutter has yours beat in the accuracy department at under 50 yards .

Check this boolit design out ... it's all I cast now .

[sigep1764]

Well, Ill throw one in. I recommend it a lot, like a broken record. The 158-155 Elco from NOE casts a 155 grain flat point or a 150 grain hollowpoint. It was designed for the 9mm and short throats, but I have also been using it in 38 Special. No reason it cant be used in 357 as long as you don't try to send it at warp speeds down a rifle barrel.