My favorite is NOE's PB 360477 (150 grains). Using a 2/8/90 alloy sized to 0.358" and lubed with a 50/50 mix of White's C-red and BAC lubes, it works great in both my 38 Special loads and 357's.
My favorite is NOE's PB 360477 (150 grains). Using a 2/8/90 alloy sized to 0.358" and lubed with a 50/50 mix of White's C-red and BAC lubes, it works great in both my 38 Special loads and 357's.
I'm having a great time with the Saeco #393, 160gr. swc with a gas check.
RCBS 358-150 SWC
I bought this mold on a whim after I saw it sitting on the shelf of assorted junk at a gunsmiths, easily my favorite.
As I understand it. the RCBS 358-150-swc, lyman 358477, and NOE 460477 are all nearly identical and shoot the same.
Near identical in shape but not in quality. Lymans new molds are disappointing for what they cost.
Last edited by hickstick_10; 07-24-2014 at 12:02 AM.
I'm shooting quite a few of the Lee 358-145-WC
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Since there is no need at all for a GC in pistols, I have entirely abandoned the 358156 for the wonderful 358477, 358429 or the
RCBS 38-150-K (now apparently called 38-150-SWC).
Bill
If it was easy, anybody could do it.
My go to hunting boolit in my 1894 is the NOE 360-180 WFNGC and for my S&W 686 it is the RCBS 38-150 swc and the Lee C358-158-swc.
Life member NRA since 1976
Well, the fellers above threw out a bunch of numbers that I don't have time (nor inclination) to look up, but for handgun use I have an excellent Lachmiller mold for a 160 gr. SWC. If I had a .357 rifle, I'd look into a RNFP bullet of 150-170 grains...
My Anchor is holding fast!
For what ever it is worth, I would suggest a wad cutter mold of around 140-150 gr, and a good semi wad cutter of at least 160 gr plain base, and find decent loads that satisfy you.
1Shirt!
"Common Sense Is An Uncommon Virtue" Ben Franklin
"Ve got too soon old and too late smart" Pa.Dutch Saying
I have an old Lyman 4 cav 358495 that casts so well I have a hard time putting it down. Just happens to be a great shooter too. I also have a Lyman single cav 358242 that I hollow pointed that is fun to play with. When I am heading up north into the woods my Ruger GP100 is loaded with the NOE 358429. The first three are the HP version then three solids finish filling the cylinder. Not sure why but I have a love for anything that starts with 358 in the mold #.
I have yet to find a 357 mold that couldn't be made to shoot. Some shoot a little better than others but that diameter must be magic or something as they all shoot well.
it is harder to find a really poor 38 Special mold than it is to find a good one. With a gun to my head and commanded to pick just one, I believe I'd go with a 358-477, but these days I mostly cast MP 359-640 HPs, not a cheap mold, but a great one, and hollowpoints nearly as fast as regular boolits--whats not to like?
_________________________________________________It's not that I can't spell: it is that I can't type.
I really like the lee .358-158rf. nice big flat point that cuts paper nicely and should really smack critters well. ymmv
I have several 38/357 boolet moulds 1- 148 /3-158 /3- 180 /and 1- 200 gr all shoot excellent from every 38/357 i have ever owned ! I currently have 8.
for best overall use 158 to 180gr swc or fn would be best.
BP | Bronze Point | IMR | Improved Military Rifle | PTD | Pointed |
BR | Bench Rest | M | Magnum | RN | Round Nose |
BT | Boat Tail | PL | Power-Lokt | SP | Soft Point |
C | Compressed Charge | PR | Primer | SPCL | Soft Point "Core-Lokt" |
HP | Hollow Point | PSPCL | Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" | C.O.L. | Cartridge Overall Length |
PSP | Pointed Soft Point | Spz | Spitzer Point | SBT | Spitzer Boat Tail |
LRN | Lead Round Nose | LWC | Lead Wad Cutter | LSWC | Lead Semi Wad Cutter |
GC | Gas Check |