358156 GC

[Reloader762]

I have never cast a HP bullet, how big of a chore is it compared to a non-HP bullet?

Some post that I have read people seem to have a love hate relationship casting HP's. Personally I've never found it to be that big of a deal, I run the mold a little hotter to keep the pins hot and I put a fine film of synthetic 2 cycle oil on the pin tips and I make sure the pins are nice and polished with no burrs before I start using the mold and everything seem to run fine for me. I also cast 45 ACP HP's as well.

 

[Marc]

When I cast HP bullets I’ve noticed that I need to get the mold hotter than I would if I were casting a non-HP. It’s probably because that little pin cools down faster than the mold block does. Something with thermal mass heat retention or some scientific reason.

 

[KeithB]

Depends on the hollow point system. I have an inset bar type two cavity 452374 mold that I made that casts just as fast as a matching non-altered mold. If you have a single cavity HP-on-a-doorknob type system (typical of Lyman) then there is a lot more monkey motion involved.

 

[358156 hp]

Once you figure out a system, and get into a rhythm it gets pretty simple. I still cast a lot with single cavity Ideal HP moulds and it's pretty much become a non-event for me. I usually run two SC Ideal HP moulds at a time to get decent production. For that matter, I usually run two identical double cavity moulds, rather than buy four cavity moulds as well. I also have a pair of MP hollowpoint moulds, so I'm not a total Luddite!

 

[RicinYakima]

I had my #358156 converted by Eric to one solid and one HP. Since there isn't a call for really high performance 357s (only own a Colt Three Fifty Seven and a martini rifle) one of each per pour works out for me.

 

[Charles Graff]

I have used 358156 off and on for many years. Back in the day, it was the go to bullet for the 357 Mag. It still works as good today and it did 50+ years ago. I have a Lyman 4 holer and a Lyman hollow point molds for that bullet.

 

[Rally]

I have a single Lyman I have never cast with and a Lee HP copy that I have cast oodles with. Liked the bullet in handguns, but pretty much quit using them when I started casting the RCBS 150 KT bullet. Then stopped using the RCBS when I bought a Marlin 1894 in .357. Found I had to crimp forward of the first band to get it to reliably chamber in the Marlin. Same thing with the RCBS. Have pretty much gone specifically to the NOE WFN style bullets and buy the RG4 versions in both .38 and .44. As luck would have it, my guns all shoot the Dimple points the best/ most accurate in both rifle and pistol so I'm not fixing what isn't broken.
Like the Lee copy, the NOE versions all seem to cast better and faster when kept hot, and I spin the HP/DP pins in a drill with 2 cycle oil and steel wool to smooth them up some. Heating on both sides prior to casting, on a hotplate, has made a world of difference for me.

 

[Walks]

Casting HP's are a True Learning Experience.
By the time I got back to Casting the Lyman/Gould bullet for "Log Cutting" in Cowboy Shooting Sidematches, I'd forgotten everything My DAD had taught Me.

I guess it's one of those "Use it or lose it" things.

I'd go with a Cramer design from N.O.E. or a slidebar from ERIC'S HP MOLD SERVICE. If I was to start casting HP's again.

 

[Rex]

Think I'll just stick with my old single hole 156 flat point, at my age that seems prudent. Mr. Thompson must have started out with a 357446 and modified it to his design. My revolver likes the 446 and the 156 shoots much like it only cleaner.

 

[CZ93X62]

I have never been a fan of HP castings. When lead alloy bullets were still legal in CA, my few hunting loads were put up with Bruce B Soft Points, which were more time-consuming--but making 20 of each caliber didn't take forever, and I had homogenous-alloy practice bullets in good numbers for each SP design.

Hunting will now get done with Barnes non-toxics or that 87/12/almost-1 alloy that shows promise.

 

[StrawHat]

When I was shooting 38s and 357s I had a pair of the Lee two cavity 358-158 SWC molds. They cast very well once I polished them a bit. I had lots of Special brass and a limited amount of magnum brass. The Lee bullet lacks the second crimp groove but if you crimp in the first drive band it works well. I used Skeeters recipe for the load and was quite pleased. Recently I got a S&W Heavy Duty, 38 Special. Among other things I found several hundred of the Skeeter loaded round. The HD seemed to favor them hitting on the sights and taking the recoil.

If I shot more 38s I might consider a six cavity.

Kevin

 

[358156 hp]

Think I'll just stick with my old single hole 156 flat point, at my age that seems prudent. Mr. Thompson must have started out with a 357446 and modified it to his design. My revolver likes the 446 and the 156 shoots much like it only cleaner.

Then you have one more option- plain base gas checks. These are designed to attach to the base of a non-gas check design cast bullet. You can even buy them in aluminum from Sage Outdoors https://www.sagesoutdoors.com/358-9mm-caliber-plain-base-aluminum-gas-checks/
If you try them, let us know how they work out for you. I've been curious about them myself, but since I powder coat, I have a way around them. Since you're having success with the 357446, this might be a good solution for you. You certainly can't beat the pricing.

 

[John]

I am another fan of NOE's dimple or cup points. They tend to feed and shoot well in what I have.

 

[Bret4207]

156HP- thanks for the link, I was unaware of that outfit or their products.

Strawhat- I shot a lot of those Skeeter loads back in the days when I could see. I ran a mess of them in 38 brass through guns I never should have. Very effective loads in heavier guns of at least K frame strength.

 

[Rex]

Thank you for the plain-base gas check info, I didn't know they existed.

 

[Creeker]

Rex I have the RCBS 38-158-SWC mould. Mine casts just over 358 & is a tack driver. I use Hornady checks & WC820 powder or AA9 works just as well. Here a little video of bullet blasting a rock.

 

[Rex]

Great video Lynn and good shooting.

 

[Creeker]

If you want to try the mould let me know.

 

[Rex]

Lynn, I appreciate the kind offer but I just got another 358477 today that drops round bullets of proper size so I'll work with it a bit.

 

[462]

If you want to try the mould let me know.

A very generous offer, sir.