Lee 358-158-RF

[AgentAdam]

Is there any reason the Lee 358-158-RF mould can't be accurate?


I know the 158SWC ,along with the 148WC, are the most recommended but i decided to go with the round flat nose for my first 158grain mould. Midway was sold out of the 158SWC and i really like the large crushing meplate on the RFN. Makes for a very attractive bullet also.

Second to the right = 358-158-RF

 

[bullseye308]

Should be no reason it can't be accurate. I'd like to try that one myself.

 

[Bula]

That is a great mould. I load it from mild .38 specials to moderate .357 (12-13g 2400) mag levels and it is very accurate from pistols or leverguns. I size them to .358 and lube with 50/50. Another big plus is the casting volume with the 6 gangs is really impressive.

 

[MCgunner]

I don't see why not. I shoot basically the same bullet/ogive in .45 Colt, 255 flat nose, and it's danged accurate. In .38/.357 I have no reason to change from the SWCs and the 148 WC. They are working fine. I use the gas check version of the SWC for .357 Magnum, killed several deer with it, one from a carbine and 2 from a 6.5" Blackhawk. I wanna get a 6 cavity for the WC and my 105 SWC, too, eventually, if they make one for the 105. All my stuff is 2 cavity. That 105 is accurate in .38 for low pressure loads, my rifle, and even in 9x19 and .380 when sized. I cast a lot of those and they don't take much lead which is economical, not that I pay anything for lead, just sayin'.

One thing, I bought a 158 plain base hollowpoint mold. It sux. LOL You just never know until you try and if it don't work, well, you ain't got much in a Lee mold, not a big loss. I have a 124 grain 9x19 mold that sux, too. The 358-105 SWC sized is the one I use for 9x19.

 

[rcmodel]

There are a few exceptions to the rule I suppose, but in general:

Bullet mold makers don't make molds for bullets that aren't accurate.

But if they do, they don't make them very long.

rc

 

[fecmech]

I have the mold and have shot the bullet quite a bit. It is an accurate bullet out of my K-38, gp100, a Rossi single shot .357 and a Winchester Mod 94 .357. There is nothing intrinsically accurate about SWC's, there are some really crappy ones out there.

 

[pmeisel]

Biggest reason for SWC vs. RFN is that the SWC cuts a little cleaner hole. Nice for punching paper but not inherently more accurate as far as any science or experimentation I have seen.

 

[Brian Williams]

I like it, and have a 180 gr LFPRNGC. I would like to get a 158gr version to go with it.

 

[AgentAdam]

I was just concerned that the 158RNFP might have had to much driving band or an odd profile for typical .38/.357 twist rates. I know the necessary twist rate for good stabilization is relative to bullet length more than weight but im not sure about how the much of the driving band actually touches due to lube grooves,orgive,ect come into play. I know all barrels act differently though.