Favorite mold for S&W 16-4

[AlanF]

What is your favorite mold for your S&W 16-4?«

[Green Frog]

I was foolish enough to sell my 6” Model 16-4 after only having/shooting it for all too short a time. Back then, my bullet of choice was the Ideal 3118/Lyman 311008 design @ 115 gr+/-. If I were looking for a bullet today for that revolver, I’d probably look for this same one or for the discontinued Lyman 313631 or its copy by someone like NOE or Accurate. If I were custom ordering it new, I would probably have it cut without the gas check groove as I find GCs unnecessary.
Congrats if you’ve found a 16-4. I would advise being smarter than I was and holding onto it. A warm (or even hot) loaded K frame S&W is a nice fit for all around use.
Froggie

[Nobade]

Same here, I mostly use the #3118 sized to .314". It also likes the Ranch Dog 32-20 boolit, when I was shooting silhouette I'd go through thousands of those since I have a 6 cavity mold and it's a tumble lube design so really fast to make.

[MT Gianni]

RCBS 98 swc. Not even close for the 32's. NOE has a clone, the 3118 works well but the RCBS just shines.

[AlanF]

Thank you guys. Need to add a 32-98-SWC of some make to my small assortment of 32 molds.

[rintinglen]

I recommend either the RCBS 32-98 plain base, the Gas check Accurate 31-100L or the NOE 315-102-SWC-AZ4 (an RCBS clone) for the 32 H&R. However, if a 327 is in your future, the 31-100L (Lyman 313-631 clone) is your ticket to ride.

[DanLee]

I prefer the Lee TL314-85-WC, for which I have a six-cavity mold. Matt's Bullets also used to offer this, but I don't see it anymore on their website.

[Nobade]

I prefer the Lee TL314-85-WC, for which I have a six-cavity mold. Matt's Bullets also used to offer this, but I don't see it anymore on their website.

That is indeed a good one. Wish I had the 6 cav version, only got the two.

[LeadHead72]

Have any of you ever tried the Lyman 313445?

[Forrest r]

The cramer 52b was an outstanding mold for the 32cal wc's. Sold it on this forum a couple of years ago, it was a 3-cavity mold.
https://i.imgur.com/jds1vxO.jpg?2

Sold the 4-cavity Mihec hbwc on e-bay at the same time.

[Green Frog]

Have any of you ever tried the Lyman 313445?

I like it personally, but it’s had a wide range of mixed reviews here over the years. I can only suggest you get a sample from somebody here and see how it works for you before hunting for and buying the mould.

Froggie

[LeadHead72]

I like it personally, but it’s had a wide range of mixed reviews here over the years. I can only suggest you get a sample from somebody here and see how it works for you before hunting for and buying the mould.

Froggie

I found one not long ago for a decent price but haven't tried it yet. If the Single-Six .32 H&R doesn't like it perhaps the .32L Smith model 31 will.

[MT Gianni]

If you ever run across a Ly31357 latch onto it.

[deltaenterprizes]

Jealous!

[Lance Boyle]

Jealous!

Very!

[MT Gianni]

Have any of you ever tried the Lyman 313445?

Yes it works great at 32 long speeds from the 32 Long, 32 Mag and 30-30 contender.

[rintinglen]

I did not get good results from the 313-445 at longer ranges ( I have the NOE clone.) I used it in the 32-20 but found that I was missing more rams than I normally would. It seemed ok at shorter ranges, but at turkeys (75 yards) and at Rams it wasn't as good as the RCBS Boolit, 32-98 SWC. YMMV.

[The Kid]

I have used the RCBS 98SWC since I got my 16-4, 10 years ago or so now. It is an outstanding little bullet, never found a load that wouldn’t shoot with it.

But I like molds and fiddling so I bought a Lee 90gr TL SWC, the one that looks like a crayon. I don’t tumble lube but run it through my .314 sizer and squeeze some lube in the bottom 3 or 4 grooves. It is also very accurate. More so than I expected out of a $20 mold and a bullet not being used as designed.

Then a couple years ago I found a bargain on a 3 cavity Cramer 52d in mint shape. It throws a little wide nosed SWC that weighs about 95gr out of COWW and has a big for its size lube groove. It too is very accurate and my choice now for most of my shooting. I’ve gravitated towards it due to it’s being a 3 cavity, 50 percent more bullets per pour, as well as it’s nose shape being better for hunting use.

I will say that after a decade of use I’m not sure that my 16-4 wouldn’t shoot well with appropriately sized gravel loaded in it, it is just a really accurate little gun with anything I’ve ever loaded in it cast or jacketed.

[MT Gianni]

That tumble lube Lee 90 with 2.3-2.5 gr Bullseye is a lot of fun in a 32 long.