Which Lee 358 bullet mold?

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Bfh_auto

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I already have a 358-200 GC.
My main use will be in my 357 and 38 special pistols.

I'm leaning toward the 125 RNFP. I've had excellent accuracy from cast 125s anywere from light 38 to hot 357.
The other top contender is the 105 SWC. It could double in my wife's 9mm.

If one of the others is better. Please give it's merits.
 
I have the 125 RNFP 6-cav., and a 158 TL RN; also in 6 cav.

I tumble lube both, cast both with range scrap, like both.

I use the 125 for cheaper use (more bullets per pound), and when I go to the club with Mrs Thunkit. I don't catch the lead for reuse at the club, but Mrs Thunkit likes the reactive steel at the handgun range.

Really, it's a tossup. When I shoot I prefer heavier bullets in cast, but Mrs likes the easy recoil of the lighter, slower bullets.
 
Hooda Thunkit said:
I have the 125 RNFP 6-cav., and a 158 TL RN; also in 6 cav.

I tumble lube both, cast both with range scrap, like both.

I use the 125 for cheaper use (more bullets per pound), and when I go to the club with Mrs Thunkit. I don't catch the lead for reuse at the club, but Mrs Thunkit likes the reactive steel at the handgun range.

Really, it's a tossup. When I shoot I prefer heavier bullets in cast, but Mrs likes the easy recoil of the lighter, slower bullets.
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Ida’s maiden name must be Nevar. :rofl:

I don’t cast anymore - been decades - but I do have about 600-700 105gr (dropped as 109gr) TC hanging around I picked up from another fellow. They are a good utility bullet for .357Mag ultra-light plate ringer loads all the way down to .380ACP slow-heavies. I would go for the 105gr and use them for all of your “38” needs. Cast big and lube well.
 
Went to the club with Ida yesterday morning.

She smoked me on the dueling tree - she was using a SW M-10 with wadcutters. The wadcutters would BONK the paddle and swing it.
I was shooting a Beretta Cheetah in 380. That little 93 grain bullet would go Tink! ...and the paddle wouldn't move.

I had more hits, she had an empty side of the tree.
 
Hooda Thunkit said:
Went to the club with Ida yesterday morning.

She smoked me on the dueling tree - she was using a SW M-10 with wadcutters. The wadcutters would BONK the paddle and swing it.
I was shooting a Beretta Cheetah in 380. That little 93 grain bullet would go Tink! ...and the paddle wouldn't move.

I had more hits, she had an empty side of the tree.
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:). BTDT! My wife shooting her CZ 75 and me with a Colts 1903 .32. She was cleaning up on the plates and all I got was Tink.

Try some 100+ LTC over 2gr of Red Dot out of your Cheetah. At 750fps they’ll turn a plate - probably?
 
Barbaroja said:
I have a 6 cavity 158gn rnfp mold from Lee that shoots very well and has a nice large meplat
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I thought about that bullet. I would have it already if it was gas check.
What's the heaviest load you've used with it? Without leading that is...
 
GeoDudeFlorida said:
Ida’s maiden name must be Nevar. :rofl:

I don’t cast anymore - been decades - but I do have about 600-700 105gr (dropped as 109gr) TC hanging around I picked up from another fellow. They are a good utility bullet for .357Mag ultra-light plate ringer loads all the way down to .380ACP slow-heavies. I would go for the 105gr and use them for all of your “38” needs. Cast big and lube well.
Click to expand...
That does sound interesting. I bet it would have no recoil in my ultralight 38.
 
Bfh_auto said:
I thought about that bullet. I would have it already if it was gas check.
What's the heaviest load you've used with it? Without leading that is...
Click to expand...
My standard 357 load is 14gn of 2400. I’ve shot it with max loads of h110 as well, no leading problems. I tend to avoid gas checks unless I’m shooting full power rifle loads over 2000fps. I’n handguns I’ve never had leading issues with a properly fitting bullet even pushed to magnum velocitys( 1000s of cast 41mags shot without gas check).
Powder coating helps but is not required.

if you like PM me and I’ll send you some to try. I’ve got some cast that haven’t been sized or lubed as well as some that are pc’d with smokes clear and sized .358
 
Bfh_auto said:
I already have a 358-200 GC.
My main use will be in my 357 and 38 special pistols.

I'm leaning toward the 125 RNFP. I've had excellent accuracy from cast 125s anywere from light 38 to hot 357.
The other top contender is the 105 SWC. It could double in my wife's 9mm.

If one of the others is better. Please give it's merits.
Click to expand...
I would go with the 358 125 RNFP powder coated. I like that one alot for 38 and up to mid power 357. I have read several threads on the CB forum where people like them for 9mm. I personally have not tried that yet. Maybe I will sometime.
125 would be the lightest I would try for full power 357 with H110/W296. I prefer 158-180gr+ for that stuff.
I would stay away from a 105gr/H110 combo. I don't think it would burn well. The fireball would be impressive though if you are into that.
 
Based on my post history you would never guess I'm a huge fan of the rnfp style. I had a lee mold before my noe that I traded away that was a 158 rnfp that did not use gas checks. My dad used that mold and it's kinda a jack of all trades. The profile works in every gun I've tried from pistol to lever, and it always feeds wonderful. The weight is right for guns with fixed sights as well. The Lee cone point design is also very good and runs wonderful in every pistol I've used them in.
 
Docendo Discimus said:
I would go with the 358 125 RNFP powder coated. I like that one alot for 38 and up to mid power 357. I have read several threads on the CB forum where people like them for 9mm. I personally have not tried that yet. Maybe I will sometime.
125 would be the lightest I would try for full power 357 with H110/W296. I prefer 158-180gr+ for that stuff.
I would stay away from a 105gr/H110 combo. I don't think it would burn well. The fireball would be impressive though if you are into that.
Click to expand...
I learned my lesson on H110 and 110 grain hollow points. They quickly ruin revolvers.
I'm leaning pretty hard toward your suggestion.
 
Barbaroja said:
My standard 357 load is 14gn of 2400. I’ve shot it with max loads of h110 as well, no leading problems. I tend to avoid gas checks unless I’m shooting full power rifle loads over 2000fps. I’n handguns I’ve never had leading issues with a properly fitting bullet even pushed to magnum velocitys( 1000s of cast 41mags shot without gas check).
Powder coating helps but is not required.

if you like PM me and I’ll send you some to try. I’ve got some cast that haven’t been sized or lubed as well as some that are pc’d with smokes clear and sized .358
Click to expand...
I appreciate the offer. Your load is up around my H110 load with MBC's 158 SWC.
Is it a flat or bevel base mold?
 
Out of all the 38/357 moulds I own , ( I have what some call a casting addiction) I have shot more loads in both 38 special and 357 Magnum with the Lee 358-148-WC ... The accuracy of the classic 148 gr. Wadcutter is legendary ( 2.7 grs. Bullseye is my pet load) and the weight of the bullet is Baby-Bear ... not too heavy & not too light .
Cast hard or coated they can be driven up to 950 fps for a hard hitting magnum load in 357 Magnum .
Loaded with 2.7 grs Bullseye ... nothing beats it for accuracy !
It's the mould I use the most in 38 spcl / 357 magnum ... don't forget about this classic .
Gary
 
Bfh_auto said:
I appreciate the offer. Your load is up around my H110 load with MBC's 158 SWC.
Is it a flat or bevel base mold?
Click to expand...
It has a slight bevel, I took it down a bit with a an inside neck reamer as the finish was a bit rough when I got the mold initially. They are about 162gn cast with my alloy
 
One of my most used bullets for 9mm, 38 Special and 357 Magnum is the Lee 358-125-RF. Most are PCed, but a lot use a traditional lube (homemade Speed Green). I have run a PCed bullet of .357" in my 9mm pistols fairly hot, and about 1,000+ fps in my Taurus 905. Excellent bullet, PCed or nekkid in my 38 Specials. Only tried .357" PCed in my 2" 357 and they worked well...
 
I've shot many, many lbs of lee's 125gr RNFP.
Got a nice range load in .38spl with Titegroup; only caliber I use that powder for.

Only "problem" I have is, I messed up and only got the 2 cavity, really wish I would've got the 6 banger.

Shot some out of my 9mm's and had good luck but very shortly after I picked up Lee 120TC 6 cavity for 9mm and linked it better.

I also have Lee's 158gr RNFP but haven't had a chance to shoot any (again I messed up and only got the 2 cavity)

My goal is to eventually get a .357 levergun and I figure I can't lose with either of those 2 molds.
 
Y-T71 said:
I've shot many, many lbs of lee's 125gr RNFP.
Got a nice range load in .38spl with Titegroup; only caliber I use that powder for.

Only "problem" I have is, I messed up and only got the 2 cavity, really wish I would've got the 6 banger.

Shot some out of my 9mm's and had good luck but very shortly after I picked up Lee 120TC 6 cavity for 9mm and linked it better.

I also have Lee's 158gr RNFP but haven't had a chance to shoot any (again I messed up and only got the 2 cavity)

My goal is to eventually get a .357 levergun and I figure I can't lose with either of those 2 molds.
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I recommend a Rossi. It's well worth the money.
I may just get both molds and call it a day.
 
Bfh_auto said:
I recommend a Rossi. It's well worth the money.
I may just get both molds and call it a day.
Click to expand...

Definitely on the lookout for a Rossi.

I don't buy firearms online (nor any hazmat) so I gotta get lucky to see one in person.

A 20" stainless is tops on my list, unless Marlin gets their act together and gets something on the market before I track down a Rossi.
 
Y-T71 said:
Definitely on the lookout for a Rossi.

I don't buy firearms online (nor any hazmat) so I gotta get lucky to see one in person.

A 20" stainless is tops on my list, unless Marlin gets their act together and gets something on the market before I track down a Rossi.
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I did it the same way. I waited 12 years...
Unless you're planning a scope. I prefer the Winchester design to the Marlin.
 
Ooof, I hope it doesn't take me 12 years!

Honestly, I'm still learning towards the Rossi, it's what I've had my mind set in for quite awhile and, like most other Winchester levers, it just looks more slim and trim.
 
For target loads in .38 Special the 358-140 SWC is my favorite. It can be used in 9mm also but it's finicky with the OAL.

The 358-125 RF can be used in both also.

The 358-105 SWC is basically the same as the 140 grain bullet but shorter. It works well in 9mm or light .38 Special loads. I've got it close to 1,400 FPS in 9mm with N340 powder.

Choosing one is too hard. Get a couple of them...
 
Y-T71 said:
Ooof, I hope it doesn't take me 12 years!

Honestly, I'm still learning towards the Rossi, it's what I've had my mind set in for quite awhile and, like most other Winchester levers, it just looks more slim and trim.
Click to expand...
Find it online and have a dealer buy it for you.
The cool thing with the Rossi is the slow twist rate works well with running cast at rifle velocities. I ran plain based 125s over 2000 fps without leading the bore.
Minimal modification to the lifter turned it into a 360 Dan Wesson. It still cycles 38 special workout issues. But I mostly run heavy cast RNFP.
 
Bfh_auto said:
Find it online and have a dealer buy it for you.
The cool thing with the Rossi is the slow twist rate works well with running cast at rifle velocities. I ran plain based 125s over 2000 fps without leading the bore.
Minimal modification to the lifter turned it into a 360 Dan Wesson. It still cycles 38 special workout issues. But I mostly run heavy cast RNFP.
Click to expand...
Is the rossi still breaking firing pins... my dad had one and the fp were getting hard to find. The stainless do look wonderful. I prefer the 1894 marlin so easy to take down and clean.
 
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