Impressions of LEE 358-158-RF

[Kosh75287]

This is another one of those "Has anybody ever tried/used/heard about using..." threads, concerning a particular (and probably less known) bullet/bullet mold.
My ANTICIPATED use for this projectile would be in two .357 Magnum revolvers, but it also looks like it would work very well, with proper sizing, in .38 Super. Its profile suggests that it was designed to feed smoothly through lever-action rifles, but I suspect it would work as efficiently in a semi-auto pistol, perhaps even better than the SAECO #383 that I want so badly.
The price of a Double Cavity mold and sizer runs about half the cost of the SAECO mold, for which I must then buy handles, so I may "buy it & try it", just to see.
Nonetheless, any input would be welcomed.

[Winger Ed.]

I'd buy it and try it.

I've not been disappointed in Lee molds or what dropped out of them for what they cost.
I've had other issues with their molds, but at least the first few thousand boolits out of them always went well.

[dannyd]

I do not know about using it in 38 Super, but it works great in Henry, Rossi and Uberti lever guns also any revolver I have tried it in. Get the Six Cavity mould I have two of them.

[centershot]

I bought two of those moulds back during Old Bummer's first term. I don't know how many thousands of boolits have fallen from those cavities but it'd make a BIG pile, for sure! I used them in my Security-Six and my Marlin 1894. Nine grains of Blue Dot kicks them out right smartly!

[jonp]

I am a big fan of the Lee RF moulds

[stubshaft]

I bought one of those for my Model 10 with fixed sights. They are normally regulated for 158 grain bullets and the mold met my expectations perfectly.

[Harter66]

I shot them in 3 38s , 2 357 pistols , a 357 rifle , a 9×19 , and a 358 Winchester. Go ahead and skip the 9mm , it will probably be ok in a 38 super . It was awesome in the other 7 . Do get the 6 cavity.

[TGM]

I have a six cavity version of that mold the .358 158 gr. I got it in a swap years ago and have never cast with it. It is in like new condition. If you are interested PM me.

TGM

[Jal5]

I like it for 357 and 38 special. Can’t go wrong with it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[wilecoyote]

go for 6 cav._
in any case, 2 or 6, they will pay back soon their cost and to your great satisfaction.

[Kosh75287]

Thanks, all!

[MarkP]

I love this one I use it in 350 Rem Mag as a plinker and in 38 SPL.

[Chena]

I have had good results with this bullet at .38 Special +p velocities from a S&W Model 63.

[Thumbcocker]

Good boolit.

[mr surveyor]

In 2012 I bought that mold for a buddy that was just getting into casting (I never personally became a caster), and only started reloading (late in life) just a year or so earlier when the obama ammunition drought years were really getting cranked up. That boolit instantly became my absolute favorite in .357 tumble lubed for both revolver and lever guns. Unfortunately, he's one of the type that jumps from one "hobby" to the next and just can't seem to stay focused - he hasn't done any casting or reloading in 5 of more years. In the last 10 years I have tried to find commercially available 358-158-RF boolits and had absolutely no luck. Having read a lot of old (50+ years) reloading info it appears that the 358-158 RF style boolit was very popular over the years .... and no one commercially casts that design?

jd

[FredBuddy]

I got a 2nd two cavity mould in a box of
"stuff" at an auction. Trimmed away the
bevel on the base, making the boolits
flat based. Powder coated, they shoot
much better in 2 rifles.

[Walks]

I've cast many thousands for my Kids when we were Cowboy Shooting. They drop like rain from the 6cav. Loaded over 3.0grs of W231, Bullseye, Titegroup or Clays in a .38Spl case they feed wonderfully in every rifle I've tried. Accurate too, in both .38Spl & .357Mag. I usually run 12.5grs of 2400 in a .357Mag case.

Strange that that You can't find 158gr RNFP, Magma produces a BB mold for that bullet and 20yrs ago you could buy them from a least 4 Commercial casters that I knew of. But that was the hey day of Cowboy Shooting, which is now a mere shadow of what it once was.

[psweigle]

Fantastic bullet for auto loaders. I use it in the Coonan in both 357 and 38 special. I can only guess but I bet it would work well in 38 super. Still don't own one, YET!