Best Large capacity mold for 38 cal cowboy bullets?

[BobinIL]

I need to start casting for 38 cal cowboy loads. Which mold produces the best bullet for reliability and accuracy using 38 special brass in a Marlin 1894C microgroove and Ruger Vaqueros? I am looking at the Lyman 358-477 and 358-665 4 cavity and the Lee 358-158-RF and 358-150-1R 6 cavity. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[cajun shooter]

If you ever wish to use BP then the Lee molds don't carry enough lube. A lot of the "GAMER" shooters use the 125gr. bullet but at times they will not take the KD's.The Lee 358-158 RF is made in a 6 cavity mold and will give you production . The Lyman 358665 is a fine bullet and will feed through your Marlin like butter. If you need some bullets to load before you get set up we have a forum member who sells and shoots SASS. Find Springfields web site which is Marks's Leather and he is one nice guy to deal with. RCBS makes a few very good molds for cowboy but they are only 2 cavity and you need at least two to up your production. I use the RCBS as I feel they are a better mold. Later David

[Dave B]

The Lee 125gr RF in 6 cav is my favorite. It works great in my Marlins, or Rugers.

[1Shirt]

The lee 358-158RF in a 6 cav. does the job well, shoots accurate in my weapons, and is good looking in a finished load!
1Shirt!

[Goatlips]

Bob,

I shoot Rugers and Marlin and Rossi in .357. Look around for the Snakebite Greasewagon. They carry a lot of lube and are great for Cowboy stuff. See my site below. If you want to try 'em, I'll send you a couple handfuls. They fit in a .38 case, but the oal is .357. Designed for cranky Marlins, but work fine in all mentioned above.

P.S. I'm slow but I clean a lot of matches.

Goatlips

[Muddy Creek Sam]

I use the Snakebite in my 357 and 38 cowboy guns and cut the OAL down just enough to chamber in Katie's 1894 CBC in 38. Works great.

Sam

[GabbyM]

Hello neighbor. How close to Arthur are you?

Don't know how much history you have at casting.
I've a few of those bullets you could try out and get some hands on comparison. Have the RCBS 158 rnfp, Lyman -477, Lee 125-rnfp then a couple magma bullets. 125 & 150 grain truncated cone.

For setting up at home casting, If it were me, I'd go with a six cavity lee mould. If you've never used a Lee and would like to try one out. Bring some lead over and you can give it a shot here. Don't have any four cavity Lyman's to compare with. Do have a four cavity NOE mould 358429 copy 170 grain SWC. Difference in production is pretty much those two extra bullets each cycle. Up until the pot runs out of lead.