NOE 359-93-RF cast with pure lead

[Wayne52]

It's my experience with molds calling for wheelweight lead that with pure lead they'll cast a little smaller in diameter.  When ordering this mold I figured the diameter would be .001 less than what the schematic for  wheelweight lead so that would be .358 which is right where they dropped at from the mold after casting up 74 of them.

I'll be testing these out in my AEA 357 Challenger next visit to the woods, when all was said and done the slugs came out very close to 94 grains which is a big plus compared to using the wheelweight lead.

[Wayne52]

I did get out to test these and I like them, especially due to the fact they fit the magazine great, these will probably be what I use to deer hunt with my Challenger

 

[Greg_E]

Do the similar Lee 356-102-1R fit? https://leeprecision.com/mold-dc-356-102-1r.html

Finally found length chart, should probably copy/paste into a sticky post:
https://support.leeprecision.net/en/knowledgebase/article/cast-bullet-length-dimensions

[Wayne52]

Greg I have that Lee mold, it's terrible in my opinion, gives a shotgun pattern, it drops the bullets at .354 which is way too loose, I did powdercoat some but have tried them yet.  They won't fit the magazine after powder coating but I did file some down so they would but then the powder coating started flaking off so I gave up on that idea.  I think if a person was to cast those with wheelweight lead they would probably drop at .356 however .357 is what my gun seems to like.

[rsterne]

Perhaps you could size after powdercoating?....

Bob

[bduares]

Do the similar Lee 356-102-1R fit? https://leeprecision.com/mold-dc-356-102-1r.html

Finally found length chart, should probably copy/paste into a sticky post:
https://support.leeprecision.net/en/knowledgebase/article/cast-bullet-length-dimensions

That is the mold I use as a "core mold" for my swage press. I make powder coated SWC slugs from the slugs it casts. Yes the slugs it casts would fit the magazine. But I don't use the RN slugs as cast since RN really isn't a very good type of slug for any use I might have. It produces a smaller wound than SWC or WC so it is not as good for hunting. The starburst holes it makes on a paper target aren't crisp and clean cut as with SWC or WC so it's out for that too. 

[rsterne]

RN slugs are the king of penetration.... but slugs with a Meplat leave a bigger wound cavity (at the expense of penetration).... Taking that to the extreme, a HP penetrates even less (roughly half what the same meplat solid does).... but leaves a much larger diameter wound channel.... The volume of the wound channel is about the same, if you keep the FPE constant.... and provided the slug doesn't exit the game, of course.... That wastes energy, but the exit hole can double the blood trail to follow....

Bob

[Spacebus]

Do the similar Lee 356-102-1R fit? https://leeprecision.com/mold-dc-356-102-1r.html

Finally found length chart, should probably copy/paste into a sticky post:
https://support.leeprecision.net/en/knowledgebase/article/cast-bullet-length-dimensions

That is the mold I use as a "core mold" for my swage press. I make powder coated SWC slugs from the slugs it casts. Yes the slugs it casts would fit the magazine. But I don't use the RN slugs as cast since RN really isn't a very good type of slug for any use I might have. It produces a smaller wound than SWC or WC so it is not as good for hunting. The starburst holes it makes on a paper target aren't crisp and clean cut as with SWC or WC so it's out for that too.

I've seen some interesting WC designs in .457 and I was curious about the effectiveness in hunting. All I could find online were some accounts of guys who hand load for hunting revolvers.

[Greg_E]

Only reason I suggested was my 356-125-2R works great in my Bulldog and they normally drop at 357. After powder coat I run them through sizing to get back to 357.

I was thinking about picking up one of the 102 molds and giving it a try, but might not now. Was also thinking of picking up a similar 150ish size, not having the best of luck with the Lyman 356637 shape (solid or hollow). I have the NOE flat to hollow point for lighter weight.

Also, I had a person tell me that he talked to Bin. Bin said that as long as copper jacket rounds were sized to 357 they would work fine. He was specifically asking about Challenger ammo. I can say that even harder lead can get stuck in my Bulldog, so I can't image copper jacket would work OK.

[bduares]

I've seen some interesting WC designs in .457 and I was curious about the effectiveness in hunting. All I could find online were some accounts of guys who hand load for hunting revolvers.

Handgun slugs are exactly what I would be looking at to shoot through our airguns. Roughly the same fps, same or lower fpe and same calibers. You aren't firing a 2000 fps 2800 fpe 45-70 rifle round. Instead it is almost identical to a .45 ACP with its 960 fps and 470 fpe.

[Wayne52]

I think that I'll go ahead and use these, I'll definitely be doing some practicing with that heavy trigger on the gun like it is.

[Spacebus]

I've seen some interesting WC designs in .457 and I was curious about the effectiveness in hunting. All I could find online were some accounts of guys who hand load for hunting revolvers.

Handgun slugs are exactly what I would be looking at to shoot through our airguns. Roughly the same fps, same or lower fpe and same calibers. You aren't firing a 2000 fps 2800 fpe 45-70 rifle round. Instead it is almost identical to a .45 ACP with its 960 fps and 470 fpe.

Accurate Molds has 295 grain GV and PB wadcutters that will fit in my Challenger magazine, may give them a try. NOE has a DWC, but it's under 200 grain if memory serves.

[Wayne52]

I do have some heavy pellets cast that I still haven't tried either, I should give them a try I guess.

[Spacebus]

I do have some heavy pellets cast that I still haven't tried either, I should give them a try I guess.

I bet those are better than the slugs at less than 25-35 yards. Where did you get the pellet mold?

[Wayne52]

Dj it's this mold from NOE using the short pins https://noebulletmolds.com/site/shop/358/356-84-rf-cc5/356-84-rf-cc5-2-cavity-hb/

[Spacebus]

Dj it's this mold from NOE using the short pins https://noebulletmolds.com/site/shop/358/356-84-rf-cc5/356-84-rf-cc5-2-cavity-hb/

I'm a little salty, apparently all of the good .25 pellet molds sold this summer before I started to look into casting. Looks like there are a ton of good molds in .357! That's really nice that you can make custom pellet weights with the separate pins. I'm ordering the NOE 34 grain .25 Magnum pellet mold the instant it becomes available.

[steveoh]

Perhaps you could size after powdercoating?....

Bob

I resize slugs after powder coating all the time.

I just powder coated some .357 pellets but haven’t measured, but I suspect no need to resize.

[Spacebus]

What is the advantage of powder coating?

[Greg_E]

PC Advantages:

#1 no mess on your hands when loading

#2 color code different weights/styles for easy ID

#3 works as a lube, but I'm having problems with this so not 100% for me

#4 looks cool at the range/club

#5 if you have a slightly undersized round, you can make up a little of that size

[steveoh]

PC Advantages:

#1 no mess on your hands when loading

#2 color code different weights/styles for easy ID

#3 works as a lube, but I'm having problems with this so not 100% for me

#4 looks cool at the range/club

#5 if you have a slightly undersized round, you can make up a little of that size

I lube my PC slugs and now bigbore pellets with 10 weight silicone oil.

My barrels come clean after a day of shooting with 3-4 patches. Before, it would take 1/2 -1 hour of cleaning the big bores.