A lead saver...........

[Ben]

Seems that our lead supplies are getting harder and harder to access these days.

Maybe one way of dealing with all this is to try " Lead Savers ".

This mold allows me to shoot my 38/357 revolvers and save some alloy each time the trigger is pulled.

It is the Lyman 358345, I call it the " Mini - Keith ". These bullets weigh 115 grs.
The 345' has deeper lube grooves than the Lee 105 SWC and out of my revolvers the 358345 offers improved accuracy over the Lee bullet.

If you shoot a steady diet of these , obviously you'll need to make some rear sight corrections as this bullet will shoot low compared to the standard 158 gr. lead load.

I don't see too many of these for sale. Nice mould !
Is it just me , or does this bullet remind you a bit of the 452460 ?

Ben

The bullets drop from the mould at .359, nice and round. Just about perfect for sizing to .358".

Do you think these are tight fitting mould blocks ?

These have Ben's Red in the bottom lube groove, then they are rolled in BLL and are now dry and ready to load. I lightly crimp in the empty top lube groove in both .38 Spec. and 357 Mag. cases.

 

[RicinYakima]

This is an excellent design from the 1930's, when pennies counted. Plus it was an excellent 50 foot gallery load in the slow twists of the S&W's with 2 grains of Bullseye. When I was shooting Bullseye in the '70's there are several "old" guys who recommended this little bullet. FWIW, Ric

 

[Ben]

What is that old saying ......" Nothing new under the sun."

About the time that many shooters stumble onto something " NEW ", they will often times find that shooters many years ago were also doing the same identical thing.

Ben

 

[RicinYakima]

If you wish to see the fur fly, read some of the old magazines from 1895 through 1915 on cast bullet shooting. Talk about passionate people in their ideas!

 

[fiver]

there is a 45 acp bullet of almost that exact design, except the nose is wider at the base.
to help feeding I'm sure.

 

[300BLK]

I seem to recall seeing some impressively tight groups from your Marlin carbine with the Lee 105. My S&W M14 loves the little Lees over 5gr Bullseye. I wouldn't care to guess how many I shot through various revolvers when shooting PPC. I have the Lee 125RF and the 9mm 120TC in 6 cavity and need to get to work with both of those. Don't read this as "sour grapes" as I had one of those Lyman's and sent it down the road.

 

[Ben]

These cast bullets may not shoot the same in a variety of guns , as you well know.

Ben

 

[Brad]

Finding bullets that safe lead is easy. Finding one that also shoots very well is a special thing.
I have never seen that bullet before Ben but it sure sounds like a keeper on all accounts. I may need to look at EBay more often.

 

[fiver]

after taking a second look at the mold.
it looks like it has a differnt sprue plate, to me it looks thicker and the knock off tang looks longer.
I like the little recess for the screw too, good craftsmanship.

 

[Ben]

fiver,

What you see IS NOT the sprue plate that came with the mould.
I've had this plate for about 15 years. I'm not even certain where I got it.
Someone was a pretty good machinist that made this sprue plate.
I wish that I had several of them, but sadly...I only have the one.
I've been know to swap it back and forth on Lyman 2 cav. moulds.

It is a joy to cast with.

Ben

 

[fiver]

OH,,,, JOSH ????
JOSHUAAAA
can you help us out here??

for opening a mold with a gloved hand that plate would be perfect.

 

[Ben]

It offers a tremendous amount of leverage.

I'd be willing to send the plate to a good machinist to " clone " if some of you
guys are interested ? ?

Ben

 

[Brad]

If only I owned a band saw.......

And a drill press......

 

[Ben]

Come on Brad,

It's just money........................

 

[Brad]

I will let YOU explain that to my wife.

In time a mill will be living in the garage, I just need to save my pennies.

 

[KHornet]

I am fond of the 125 Lee RNFP. Shoots well in my revolvers, and saves lead as well.

 

[Ian]

Light .38's can be regulated to the sights with Herco or HS6. Elevate muzzle before each shot for best groups.

 

[freebullet]

Well I have a band saw and a drill press but, I wouldn't claim myself as able to make one of those yet.
I did make an attempt at making a thick plate for a lee 6 banger. It was usable. Not real purty though. I found the plasma cutter better for cutting out the shape.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

fiver,

What you see IS NOT the sprue plate that came with the mould.
I've had this plate for about 15 years. I'm not even certain where I got it.
Someone was a pretty good machinist that made this sprue plate.
I wish that I had several of them, but sadly...I only have the one.
I've been know to swap it back and forth on Lyman 2 cav. moulds.

It is a joy to cast with.

Ben

It’s on the top Of my tongue... But these plates where made by a guy who had a few parts for molds. Another was handles with a wratchet to hold closed same every time.

I’m gonna have to call my buddy to get his name!!

Sorry to bring back a ol thread. But I was searching for information on my new mold 358345.

CW

 

[fiver]

was it a ratchet, or a flipping mold lock kind of like vice grips only bigger?