Help with selection of molds

[Altered Ego]

Gentlemen (and ladys, if it applies):
This is my first post here so take it easy on me. I'm looking for some help in selecting the proper boolit molds for a couple of different caliber guns of mine. I want to cast some lead for 357 magnum rounds to shoot in my S&W 686 and 44 magnum rounds for my Ruger Super Blackhawk. The guns will primarily be used for plinking/silhouette target practice. I'm interested in the Lee 6 cavity molds, just not sure which ones are most applicable for my use. Any help would be much appreciated. If more information is needed, please ask. Thanks!

Also should have mentioned that I would prefer eirther 125gn or 158gn for the 357 mag and 240gn for the 44 mag.

[JesterGrin_1]

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=45252 Look here this might help. And the Search is your friend. :)

I will give my two favorite ones. One is a Ranch Dog 265Gr GC for the .44 Mag and the Lee 310Gr GC . But I like them a bit heavy. :)

[Recluse]

I want to cast some lead for 357 magnum rounds to shoot in my S&W 686

I'm interested in the Lee 6 cavity molds,

Also should have mentioned that I would prefer eirther 125gn or 158gn for the 357 mag and 240gn for the 44 mag.

First off, if you haven't cast boolits before, or not much at all, don't believe I'd start with a six-cavity mould.

Secondly, my top mould is the Lee 2-cavity TL158SWC. My S&W 686 is my primary wheelgun shooter, and this boolit when water-dropped, tumbled in LLA/JPW--sized--tumbled lightly again, is drop-dead accurate beyond comprehension.

I'm still looking for the perfect .44 boolit. 44 Special is my favorite load, so I doubt I'll ever find a mould that I'll be 100% satisfied with. But then again, I enjoy the journey more than I do the destination.

:coffee:

[Willbird]

A lot of this will depend on how you are melting your lead, if you have a bottom pour furnace then the Lee 6 cavity is a good mold, if you are going to be using a ladle I would bypass the crappy Lee 2 cavities and get a quality mold.

I like the Lee 158 round flat for 357, I really do not have a favorite yet for the 44 that is avail off the shelf, the lyman 429421 is not a bad bullet.

Bill

[EDK]

The LEEs are OK...quality and construction are better on the six cavity. The iron moulds are more durable...and also more expensive! I just received the group buy 44 mould from Old West Bullet moulds made of brass...I'll fire it up tomorrow if it doesn't rain since I cast outside under a patio roof.

I use the LYMAN Cowboy moulds a lot in 357 and 44 for general purpose....round nose flat point feeds in lever action rifles also. I use a full wadcutter 200 grain in 44 and the brass mould mentioned above will cast 250 grain full wadcutters.

LYMANS to use are 358156 or 358665 and 429244 or 429667. The KEITH designs are 358429 and 429421...classics!...but may be too long for your guns in magnum brass.

The RANCH DOG designed LEEs are also work well for me, although the 359 190 requires 38 special brass.

:cbpour::redneck::Fire:

[Bret4207]

Well, as someone else said, don't try and start with a 6 cavity mould. A 2 cavity will tax your patience enough, a 6 banger can drive ya nuts. If you want a GC design it's hard to beat the Lyman 358156 in 38/357 and the 429244 in 44. In PB find something in the 150-160 gr SWC like the 358477 and the RCBS 44 Cowboy mould.Ant of them work, Lee also makes designs that work well.

[WHITETAIL]

:drinks:Altered Ego, Welcome to the forum!
I 2nd the motion with Bret.:castmine:

[cajun shooter]

Altered Ego, You have asked the wrong question. The members of this forum myself included could never be happy with just two molds. I would die if you said I'm taking all your molds but two. The better and still you can receive endless answers is what would be a easy to use and learn from mold. The answer to that would be +1 on Bret 4207. The aluminum mold blocks are not the best to start with. The blocks from RCBS will give you perfect bullets from the start and for years to come. You can order them from Mid- South for the best price.

[high standard 40]

Alter Ego,
As others stated, the RCBS mold is a good choice. I shoot IHMSA silhouette and use the 44 cal 225 gr gas check design from RCBS. With wheel weight metal, sized & lubed, it weighs just under 240 gr. You said you wanted it for plinking but they shoot well enough to use in a match. I have used it many times with good results.
In 357 you may want to look at a similar design from RCBS. I am about to purchase the 158 swc gas check mold. Should work great.

Charlie........

[atr]

I third what Bret had to say

My favorite molds are Lyman,
#358156 (158 gr)GC SWC
#358432 (148 gr) WC
and
#358242 (125 gr) RN flat base......this is a great boolit for plinking !!

and DO start with a two cavity mold rather than a 6 cavity.....

[HeavyMetal]

Welcome aboard!

Lee makes good molds and not a bad place to start but the selection in both 357 and 44 boolits is not to my taste with the possible exception of the 44-310 boolit.

My suggestion will be an RCBS 357 150 grain boolit. In ww metal this will be about 154 it won't have a gas check to drive you nuts when you don't have any ( and can't find them) and will fit every 38 and 357 ever made and shoot very well! I have a DC and a rare 3 banger Saeco in the same design and will never part with them!

As to the 44, The suggestion here is the "classic" 429421! If you own a 44, special or magnum, and don't own this mold you may as well take a Sharpie and write "rookie" on your forehead!

other molds will follow but these two designs will always be on your bench!

[MT Gianni]

There is an old time honored saying "beware the man who owns one gun". The implication is he knows how to shoot it. There are no sayings "beware the man who has only one bullet mold". There are a lot that work but perfection is to be sought after not found easily. Enjoy the ride.

[Altered Ego]

Thanks guys for the warm welcome and advice. I really appreciate all the suggested part numbers. I just smelted about 300 lbs. of WW today (in celebration of the temperature here FINALLY raising above freezing!). I'm looking forward to doing some casting when I receive the molds. I have to say that this forum is fantastic!!!