Preferred cast bullet for .38/.357 loads

Rootmanslim

Banned
The Lee tumble lube boolit works fine although 38 special ammo has gotten so cheap, reloading is for fun not economy.
 

fiver

Well-Known Member
I keep looking at the 429, it would certainly do well in the Dan Wesson, and it would also make a pretty good bullet in the Maximum revolver.
I have a 180gr plain base mold already and i don't think i have ever shot any of the bullets from it in a 357.
[I use it as a core mold to make 44 mag jacketed bullets with]
so it's hard to lay out more cash for another mold when I already have more molds than guns in that caliber.
 

Wiresguy

Active Member
My hands aren't as strong as they once were, so I'm switching over to aluminum molds. My two favorite for 38/357 are Accurate 36-165N and 36-170J.
Also switched over to bullet designs with only one lube groove to make things simpler on the Star - or in my mind ;)
Old favorites from the past were 358156 and 358432 (160gr).
 

LenH

New Member
I am partial to the H&G #73 (I know they aren't available too much any more) a 247 gr SWC but very accurate. The next one is
a NOE 360-154 PB-2T another SWC but very accurate also, and another H&G #50 WC mold, not my favorite but accurate as well,
I only use lube in the bottom 2 groves.
 

John

Active Member
Depending on usage the 358477 gets a lot of use in mid range 38 and milder 357. higher end 357 gets the 358156 or the 180 fn group buy from decades ago. When the eyes started to go, I bought a TL Lee 150 gr wadcutter and load it for mild 38 specials. It shoots as well as anything else of BE.
 

Hawk

North Central Texas
+1on the WFN.
I've got several molds from Veral Smith, from 150 gr. to 180 gr.
They are very accurate and hit like sledge hammers.
I have a MiHec mold for 125 gr. Penta Point that is very accurate, also.
If I had to settle on one, it would be a 160 gr. WFN.
 

Pistolero

Well-Known Member
Keith's 358429 is an excellent design, but with the silly short cylinder big N-frame Smith's causes
length issues in .357 brass. In the "little" K and L frames, not an issue.

IME, it does best driven pretty fast. I think the issue is S&W twist rate is way too low, barely adequate.
My friend who has won a LOT of PPC and similar revolver trophies, rebarrels to 1:10 twist. He would be
happy with 1:12, but not available in .38 cal. Smit's one in 18 and change is just silly. Barely stabilize
a 148 WC to 50 yds, sometimes it doesn't. 1:10 does.

Bill
 

358156 hp

At large, whereabouts unknown.
The twist issue gave birth to the concept of fitting Colt Python barrels to S&W and Ruger revolvers to gain the advantages of a 1:14 twist. Smythons & Cougers....
 

fiver

Well-Known Member
Bill many 358 rifle barrels are 1-12.
if he has the tools that might be a viable option.
 

Hawk

North Central Texas
Oh, and the WFN is a lot more accurate than you would think. Accuracy out to 100 yards is great!
 

Dusty Bannister

Well-Known Member
I must be the outlier. My first mold was the Lyman 358242 of about 125 grains, and it has always been my favorite. Later I started playing with other bullets in the same general weight area with the Lee 356-120-TC, 358-125-RF and the Lee 358-140-SWC. I am not using these for hunting, just amusement and small pests. They do not require a lot of alloy, are pleasant and accurate. I guess I do not really feel I need more than that. And with low recoil, they are great for training, plinking, or even used in my 357 contender. It does not take a lot of powder to make holes in paper.
 

JWFilips

Well-Known Member
I have a single cavity 358311 Lyman that shoots great in my 38's and 357 Mags but it has been improved by "Buckshot" : he hollow pointed it a number of years ago....... Now it shoots excellent!
 

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
I must be the outlier. My first mold was the Lyman 358242 of about 125 grains, and it has always been my favorite. Later I started playing with other bullets in the same general weight area with the Lee 356-120-TC, 358-125-RF and the Lee 358-140-SWC. I am not using these for hunting, just amusement and small pests. They do not require a lot of alloy, are pleasant and accurate. I guess I do not really feel I need more than that. And with low recoil, they are great for training, plinking, or even used in my 357 contender. It does not take a lot of powder to make holes in paper.
:D That is what .32's were made for!
 

Dusty Bannister

Well-Known Member
Thought about them a time or three, just never got one. Nice Walther PPK/s in 380 though. Enough 9MM if you like light weight bullets. I get a lot of brass from the range, but none shoot and leave the 32's.
 

fiver

Well-Known Member
I have a 125gr rnfp I like to shoot.
it's what the mother in law shot up to about a year before she kicked off.
I will usually load it in 38 cases and plonk at the squirrels with it, or try a head shot on a grouse during the season if I get the chance.
 

Rally

NC Minnesota
I’ve played with quite a few .38 moulds, but have shot more of the RCBS 150 Kt than anything else, with the RCBS 148 wc not too far behind it. I’ve owned at least five .357’s and was never real impressed with the cartridge in a pistol, and believe it is more suited to me chambered in a rifle. Always seemed like a lot of bark and not much more bite than the .38 Spl. Have quite a few of the Lee 125 loaded now and have been shooting those some for plinking. Loading those in a run of 9 mm now. My current choice is the Noe WFN in dp and hp versions. I cast the 160 gr.for my .38’s and the 180 gr. for my 357, a Marlin 1894. Pretty happy where I’m at.