Cast My first batch this week.Bullets were .358 125 gr rf from a lee mold.I checked dia. with my calipers and checked at .360. I sized with a .358 die. Bullets were lubed before and after sizing with liquid alox.Bullets looked good when dropped from mold.I loaded 5 rds each with 3.6 grs and 3.8 grs 700x and 4.2 grs and 4.5 grs reddot. The only load to shoot anything resembling a group was 3.6 grs 700x. These were loaded in a 357 mag cases.Still have several things to try but at this time accy was dismal at best.Anyone have any load info for 125 gr cast that they would like to share. These bullets were cast from 5 parts wheel weights and 1 part cable lead.Any help appreciated.

Try shooting them as they drop from the mold...ive always found that most lee molds drop bullets a little larger than advertised size but always seem to shoot better than if you size them. .358 lead bullets for a 357 are a bit on the small side, but if their dropping at .360, try those and ill be willing to bet dollars to pesos that your groups will shrink. Are you getting any leading in the bore? Im assuming your using liquid alox for lube??

Try shooting them as they drop from the mold...ive always found that most lee molds drop bullets a little larger than advertised size but always seem to shoot better than if you size them. .358 lead bullets for a 357 are a bit on the small side, but if their dropping at .360, try those and ill be willing to bet dollars to pesos that your groups will shrink. Are you getting any leading in the bore? Im assuming your using liquid alox for lube??

Think Jeffro426's idea is worth a try.

Haven't had the best of luck driving light weight cast bullets fast in a .357...are picky the loading. My old notes show two of the three guns tried liked powders in the medium to slow range (Blue Dot and 800X gave good results in all three guns tried).

A little over sized (like .002") will riase pressures a bit...but if you don't jump right on a max. load, won't be a problem.

Shootiny the bullets unsized was the next on my list to try.after that I was going to try to load to a longer aol to see what effect this would have.The loads that I tried were accutually for a 38.I have not had much success finding load data for 125 gr cast.The store I got the mold from ordered the wrong mold but due to big marts giving them a hard time I went ahead and took this mold. MY wife and kids like to shoot metal plates so I was hoping I could come up with a decent load for this bullet to use for that. Anyone having any data they would like to share I would asppreciate it.

Shootiny the bullets unsized was the next on my list to try.after that I was going to try to load to a longer aol to see what effect this would have.The loads that I tried were accutually for a 38.I have not had much success finding load data for 125 gr cast.The store I got the mold from ordered the wrong mold but due to big marts giving them a hard time I went ahead and took this mold. MY wife and kids like to shoot metal plates so I was hoping I could come up with a decent load for this bullet to use for that. Anyone having any data they would like to share I would asppreciate it.

Have an older #356402 (tradtional 125gr. 9mm bullet) that casts at .359". Old notes show 12gr. of Blue Dot (about 1300fps) as a good choice. Lyman manual lists heavier charges, but accuracy was going south past 12gr.


WARNING: this bullet has a lot of nose and not much bearing area...so it certainly won't match other bullet's loading data.

I loaded 20 more this afternoon with the bullets unsized.Loaded 5 at each of the 4 loadings I used before.Hope to get to shoot tommorrow afternoon and will inform on what happens when i get to shoot. wirenut

Just got in from shooting what I loaded last night.These were loaded with the bullet unsizes.The ones loaded with 3.7 gr 700x and 4.4 grs reddot shot somewhat better this time but still around a 5 inch pattern at 25 yds.Then ones loaded with 3.9 grs 700x and 4.6 grs reddot shot much better with a 2 in 25yd group. Gun appeared to have a little leading in the throat but none in the barrell.also got a lube star on the muzzle.pressure signs were good. As these are loads for a 38 special. would increasing .2 grs with each powder be above max loads for a .357. these are max loads in a 38.I am using 357 mag brass. any thoughts or tips appreciated.

Ive found the best cure for leading in the throat is to use a little bit more powder, or a faster powder all together.