Lee 358-125-RF

[chevyiron420]

I have been looking at this boolit for a new load in my 38 S&W. Will those of you that have this mold chime in with your as cast diameters with what alloy? I know I can lap it out, but would still like to know before ordering one.
Thanks,Phil

[old beekeeper]

This is my favorite bullet. I shoot it in my Ruger 38's and my 357's and shoot it a lot in my Marlin 1894. It is accurate and the best thing about it is, I can load it light, use less powder, less lead (considering how scarse wheel weights are getting)and it is fun to shoot and doesn't put a lot of stress on the guns. I shoot a lot of 38 because I have a boat load of 38 hulls, so it makes my reloading cheaper than shooting 22's, especially with the price of 22 longrifle these days. Most of my loads run about 900-1000fps in the Rugers and just a little over that in my Marlin. I shoot mostly paper, cans, bottles, etc and all my grandkids love to shoot the lever action. I really like shooting 38's in my Ruber Security Six. It is scary accurate with this bullet. I have loaded it with bullseye, unique, HS6 and several other powders and when powders got scarce several years ago, I lucked into 16 pounds of the ETR6 that everyone was talking about (they sell it here in VA in Lynchburg where my sone lives and he jumped right on it) and I worked up some loads for it and it works great in 38 and 357 with that bullet. If I want to go hunting, I use the Ranch Dog 270gr, but haven't done that in a long time. When I want go to the range or out in the woods with my sons and grandkids, I just load up an ammo can full of 38's and we head out and have a great time. You will hear from a lot of folks that Lee equipment is ****, which is ****, because I use most of their equipment and have had very few problems with it. I have the two banger as well as the 6 cavity and use them all the time. The molds are about 8 years old I would guess and still work well. Like anything else, take care of them, follow the instructions and you will be happy with them..However, if you are one of those shooters that want a load that causes pain in the wrist and shoulder, they are not the load for you because when they get over 1500 fps, you will absolutely get leading no matter what you lube with. So I just pour them, Alox them, load 'em and go out and have fun with them. Cheap shooting. And since I am retired and on a limited income, it serves me well. Happy shooting.

Beekeeper

[lathesmith]

Although this is a great boolit, it may be a little small for 38 S&W. Mine throws slugs around .358 or so with softer alloys, and the harder alloys are only slightly larger. My old model 10 S&W in 38 S&W has throats in the .361 range, so .358 is somewhat undersize. Some of these smaller 38's still shoot OK in it, but I don't get stellar accuracy or anything. Most are "minute of can" at about 50 feet.

[whisler]

Mine drops at .358 with an alloy of approximately 97/1.5/1.5, lead/tin/antimony.

[BNE]

I really like this mold. I use 50% coww / 50% soft + 2% Sn. Not sure what size it drops, but it is a mild push through the .358 sizer after I powder coat.

I also use it in 9mm sized down to .356.

Buy it. You will like it.

[bstone5]

Shot thousands of 125 grain round noise flat point bullets in 38 and 9mm.
Cast with a Master Caster that is automated.
Been powder coating the last few years. Size at .358 after powder coating.
Same bullet also works in 380 but size to .356,

[Landshark9025]

I picked up one of these molds a few months back. With range scrap it drops at .360-.361 for me. Makes it easy to size down. Still working on the right alloy for 9mm. The first 10 shots are great, then it goes to pot.

Haven't gotten around to working up a load in the .38 yet as there is such a wide range between starting load for .38 and max for +P. Just need to get it done.

The wide lube grooves hold Ben's Red well.

[MattN]

I bought this mold to use in my 92FS. It works great in that sized to .358. I just worked up a load yesterday for the S&W 66. 5.1 of HP38 shoots all touching at 25 yards. Sized these to .358 as well. Shot 5 different charges and 5.1 was the best. Never tried any other powder. Didn't need to. This batch was 50/50 COWW/pure. Powder coating everything and having no lead issues what so ever.

I have lapped out all of my Lee pistol molds. They all seem to drop small for me.

[Harter66]

I have a 6C . I haven't put it 38 or 357 yet . In a 38 S&W It was not horrible,but I only ran a couple of loads and at probably way to far for the intent of the platform . Mine drops 1/20 .360 and 361 and 359 o/u with WW.

[reddog81]

It's a great bullet for 38 special but I haven't ever tried it in a 38 S&W. Kind of a light weight for that round anyways. I started with the the 2 cavity mold but ended up buying the 6 cavity because I liked it so much. Works in 9mm also but you have to seat the bullet fairly deep.

[Harter66]

It's a great bullet for 38 special but I haven't ever tried it in a 38 S&W. Kind of a light weight for that round anyways. I started with the the 2 cavity mold but ended up buying the 6 cavity because I liked it so much. Works in 9mm also but you have to seat the bullet fairly deep.

The 9mm is hit and miss as for deep seating a FEG HP9 does need to be all the way to the to the sizer contact line . A P95 seems to be less fussy.

[NuJudge]

Mine drops a little larger than .359" using mostly wheelweights with a little Tin. I really like this bullet in the Beretta 92, sized .358". It looks a little odd with the crimp groove, but shoots really well.

[LAH]

http://s66.photobucket.com/user/Cree...tml?sort=3&o=4

I like this bullet also in both 38 & 9MM. Mine drops .360" with WW alloy.

[quilbilly]

This is my favorite boolit for both my 357 and my 9mm T/C carbine. For both I size to 358. I have pushed it as fast as 1300 fps but it prefers about 1150 in the carbine and about 900 in the 357 which is roughly a +P load for the 38 Special. For a neighbor's wife's 38 sp., I load it to about 780 fps and she really is comfortable with it in that snub nose revolver. In the carbine it is accurate out to 150 yards. FYI - my mold drops my alloy boolits at 132 gr give or take a grain which doesn't bother me at all.

[res45]

Mine drops bullets that are .360 with 50/50 WW/PB. I size mine to .358 for use in my 9mm that has a large bore. Great little bullet for the 38 as well sized to .359"

[shoot-n-lead]

Great bullet...I have shot a PILE of them in .38 and .357.

[rintinglen]

I bought mine in the hopes of having a "one-size-fits-all" mold for my 38's and 9mm's. It does not work well for me in 9 mm--not worth a hoot in my Sig p-6, but it shoots ok in a 38. Mine casts at just barely .358, with range lead sweetened with 2 % pewter.

[chevyiron420]

Thanks for the info folks. I am considering this boolit for my new to me revolver. Its a H&R 926, in 38 S&W. I need a .362 boolit and it sounds like size is still hit and miss with lee. I guess i'll order when I can and lap it to fit. I like the design of the boolit, thats why I want to try it.
Phil