Cast Bullet Recommendations

[kynardsj]

I've been clicking on the links and checking bullet styles and hardness ratings. I'll be loading 38's, 357's and 357 max with these. I want a 158 to 160 grain with a gas check in a SWC or RNFP design. Something that won't lead my barrel in a 10 inch Contender with some 357 max speed behind it. Any recommendations of manufacturer and style will be appreciated.

[lonewolf5348]

missouri bullet company
E mail Brad who owns the company he lay have some thing: He knows his cast boolet stuff

[Graybeard]

Ya REALLY should make your own. The requirements for a .38 Special, .357 magnum and the .357 max are really quite different and no one bullet is idea for all three. For the .38 a softer bullet with no GC is really a better choice as it's cheaper and really performs well maybe better at the lower velocity and pressure.

For the max especially but also for the .357 mag a GC bullet is a better choice but for less than full pressure loads for the magnum a good hard bullet with no GC is again cheaper and just as good. For the Max a GC would be best in my opinion.

For that bore I really like the Lyman 358156 GC and also the Lyman 358429 (I think) which is the Keith style. Other excellent choices are the LBT 160 or 180 LFN bullets. You can get them for GC or without and even get both in same mould if you request in a two or four cavity mould. That is a versatility Lyman doesn't offer.


I seldom use commercial cast bullets so can offer you no advice on who to buy from.

[kynardsj]

Thanks Guys,  I used to cast my own 357's, 44's and 45's but was using a friends pot and molds. I moved away and haven't seen him in a while. Thought I would buy some hardcast with a gascheck and cover all the bases. I'm not worried about a GC on the 38 or the mag but just cheaper to buy bulk of one item.

[45-70.gov]

i  have  the 180  WFN from LBT

4 cavity mould   with  only one cavity for the  gas check

i  remelt   most of the  gas check  ones   only  save  a few  perfect

but  i don't  have  a max

i  am  happy with  it
and  don't bother  to cast with the other molds  i have
and  have  aver  a thousand  jacketed  bullet  i may  never  use

[Nobade]

I second GB's recommendation of the 358156. They work great without the check at slower speeds, and with the check they'll do as fast as you can push them.

[jsh]

 Something that won't lead my barrel in a 10 inch Contender with some 357 max speed behind it.

I would suggest you slug the bore in what you are wanting to use to get top speed. Fit is everything, then lube imho.

I have had less than stellar reults with most store bought bullets. Then on the other hand a have some friends that shoot SASS with store bought and have excellent results out to 200.

358156 has a large following. I have had a few differnt molds of this one and none gave any where near what I expected from it.
358429, I have a 6-C lee mold. It shoots fair in a magnum case at top end out of my TC. I ran across a new old stock 2C lyman that is a bit different design and it seems to shoot better.
I wouldn't over look the 358311. Between a friend of mine and I, we have shot it in everything from a 38SW through 35 Whelan for fire forming cases. It shot exceptionally well at way more speed than it was ever designed for.
358315 has shot VERY well in a friends max in a TC and in my 357 magnum. A pretty heavy bullet, but one of the better shooters I have ran across for the 35 calibers.
jeff

[Badnews Bob]

Cast performance LBT style LFNGCs I shoot the 180 grainers at 2000 FPS out of my 22"  handy rifle in .357 max with no leading. I now make my own useing a Lee mold that is almost a direct copy of LBTs mold works great using WWs.  None of my maximums shoot the 158s as well as the 180s But they shoot ok to just like the heavier slugs better.

[Lloyd Smale]

ive used alot of mt. baldy bullet company bullets. Frank is a good guy and cast great bullets. Hes one of the only casters that belives like i do that bullet hardness should be acheived by alloying not water dropping. he has a good selection of bullets and speicilizes in true keith designs which i like too. He will also custom cast in any alloy you would like and uses a good softer lube not the hard crap most use.

[dpe.ahoy]

Lloyd, I have used a few hundred of his 310 Kieths and agree they are very good.  Just lucked out and found a box of 500 and got them for $55.00.  I have also used Montana Bullet Works with sucess.  Both have a great product and MBW has real LBT molds for some of their bullets.  Also have the 180gr 358 to run in my Max's from MBW and CP.  They are both gas checked.  DP