Hi,

I'm looking for an all-around cast bullet mold for a 38 special and 357. I was looking for a semiwadcutter around 158 gr possibly. I really enjoy the 429421 in my 44 mag and special.

What are your recommendations.

ddj

I've had good luck with Lyman's 358429 168gr in my 38 smith with 4" bbl using HP38. Should work good in the 357 too.

rcbs makes a good swc too.
if you think you might want a lever carbine in the future a good round nose flat point will work fine also.

I like lees 158 rf mold. It's shot accurately out of both revolvers and t/c contenders.

My choice for the .38 Spl./.357 mag. would be the Lyman #358156, a 158 gr. SWC that takes a gas check. This bullet has two crimp grooves, one for the .38 and the other for the .357 mag.
The #358429 is a fine bullet in it's own right, but is too long for use in some .358 Mag. revolvers, most notably Smith & Wessons. In those, you'd have to force a crimp in the front driving band and that may affect the quality of accuracy for your particular handgun.
Lyman also has #358477, a nominal 150 gr. SWC that shoots good in some guns and not so well in others. I shot that bullets in an S&W 696 4" and off a rest with sandbag got groups at 25 yards you could cover with a quarter.
If I were to stick with one bullet for both cartidges though, I believe #358156, even with the PITA of a gas check would be my choice.
Paul B.

RCBS 150KT is a shooter.

quote:

Originally posted by MT Gianni:
RCBS 150KT is a shooter.

Hi Mt Gianni

You sure are right about that. I've been shooting that bullet for over 30 years now. Great out of both my handguns and rifles. I never thought a thing about it being 150 grains instead of the norm 158 either.

Joe

quote:

Originally posted by MT Gianni:
RCBS 150KT is a shooter.

Agree totally with that. Can't do much better.
I have both the RCBS 150 gr. SWC and the 162 gr. GCSWC, and have had great success with both designs.
My brother in law swears by his WWII Lyman 155-158 gr. GC mold.