Light Weight .357 Mold Suggestions

[YEMX]

I know it seems silly, "light weight" and ".357" in the same sentence...  But there it is.  I'm looking for suggestions on molds that are anywhere between 80 gr to 100 gr.  Or, a mold when modified to a HP will be in that 80-100 gr. window.  a touch over 100 gr. is fine too I suppose.  Any suggestions will do of course, however I would prefer to hear from those of you that have cast and shot the slugs you're suggesting.  Any accuracy data would be nice too.  I don't mean full blown charts and spreadsheets (though I'll never say no to them!  ).  A simple "Slug X from X shot pretty well at XX fps at XX range".   

I already have a 136 gr BBT mold from NOE.  But I'd like to see what y'all have tried that weigh less.  The platform will have a 31.5" barrel and a Cothran valve with all matching ports at .250" (I know, not ideal for .357- but I'm not going any bigger).  I'm looking to get away from commercially available projectiles.  Not saying I won't shoot commercially produced projectiles.  I'm absolutely looking forward to seeing what NSA slugs will do in this gun I'm building.  I simply don't want to fully rely on commercially produced slugs.

Anyhoo, TIA for any suggestions!!

[EdinGa]

You'll probably have to size it down, but this one fits the bill. 81 grains as a hollow point.


https://noebulletmolds.com/site/shop/355-9mm/359-88-rf-s2/359-88-rf-s2-rg2-cavity-pb/

[YEMX]

Oh! Nice!  I saw another one that perked my interest:

https://noebulletmolds.com/site/shop/355-9mm/tl358-100-rf-be2/tl358-100-rf-be2-rg4-cavity-pb/ 

[rsterne]

That 88 gr. FN / 83 gr. HP from NOE is a GREAT slug.... it outshoots JSB Exacts in my 26" twist TJ's barrel.... and a far better BC.... and man does it hit HARD !!!!



Energy at 100 yards was higher than for the JSB at 50 yards.... 



Groups at 100 yards were for 10 shots....

Bob

[YEMX]

I JUST read the original thread where you showed those 83 grain slugs!  They sure do look nice!  I've got them bookmarked!

[EdinGa]

Thanks a lot. Now I'm trying to figure out how I can put together a 357 on a shoestring budget. 🤣

[AncientSword]

That 88 gr. FN / 83 gr. HP from NOE is a GREAT slug.... it outshoots JSB Exacts in my 26" twist TJ's barrel.... and a far better BC.... and man does it hit HARD !!!!



Energy at 100 yards was higher than for the JSB at 50 yards.... 



Groups at 100 yards were for 10 shots....

Bob

It looks like they are all out of those HP versions.

[YEMX]

Thanks a lot. Now I'm trying to figure out how I can put together a 357 on a shoestring budget. 🤣

Gotta pay to play, but here's a link to my build:

https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=182999.msg156086362#msg156086362

If you don't mind the length you can build a traditional rifle for less.  I got really tired of how long these guns can get.  My original .357 build was over 50" long.  The one I'm currently doing will have a larger plenum and a longer barrel and should be under 40" long.  Both measurements were w/o LDC's on. 

It looks like they are all out of those HP versions.

Yep.  NOE is out of a lot of stock.  If I get another mold to try, it's going to be from Accurate. 

[EdinGa]

Thanks a lot. Now I'm trying to figure out how I can put together a 357 on a shoestring budget. 🤣

Gotta pay to play, but here's a link to my build:

https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=182999.msg156086362#msg156086362

If you don't mind the length you can build a traditional rifle for less.  I got really tired of how long these guns can get.  My original .357 build was over 50" long.  The one I'm currently doing will have a larger plenum and a longer barrel and should be under 40" long.  Both measurements were w/o LDC's on. 

It looks like they are all out of those HP versions.

Yep.  NOE is out of a lot of stock.  If I get another mold to try, it's going to be from Accurate. 

Don't forget MP molds. They make a really nice hollow point. Unfortunately, a lot of theirs are out of stock too. Here's one, but it's a gas check.

https://www.mp-molds.com/product/358-640-hollow-point-gas-check-2-cavity-mold/