Was reading some posts on cast boolits about the fact this bullet can do double duty...its a Lee 2 banger 358-125-RF mold, can be used in both a .357 and also sized down for 9mm. Anyone have any experience with this bullet...looks like a good one...As of right now only have a mold; .158 gn WC mold for the .38 reloads I'm going to do for the .357 GP100 I just picked up.
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Anyone using the Lee 125 gr RFN .357 mold?
- Thread starter Ric-san
- Start date
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You got my attention, so I just ordered one of the molds from Midway.
I have been casting some 358-158 RNFP and really like the way they look and perform. I will try these lighter ones and also size some for 9mm. BTW I have been powder-coating these recently instead of lubing.
I have been casting some 358-158 RNFP and really like the way they look and perform. I will try these lighter ones and also size some for 9mm. BTW I have been powder-coating these recently instead of lubing.
I recently received my Lee 125 RNFP mold and got some bullets cast and powder coated. I still have to find time to load and test them.
Here are some pics of the bullets after sizing to .357, along with some of 158g rnfp sized to .357.
I really like using the powder coated lead bullets because i don't like to work with the lube process. so far, I have had no problems with fowling using them.
Here are some pics of the bullets after sizing to .357, along with some of 158g rnfp sized to .357.
I really like using the powder coated lead bullets because i don't like to work with the lube process. so far, I have had no problems with fowling using them.
jakec
Master
me too.
I finally got some time to reload some of the 9mm cast-powder-coated bullets as shown in my previous posts. I will post some pics soon of the loaded rounds.
I measured about 1115 fps from an EAA 4.5" barrel, using a load just under max for w231 with a 125g bullet. The bullets came out ot 128g after coating and resizing to .356.
I could see nothing inside the barrel after shooting 15 rounds, not even a speck of powder. In the next few days, I plan to do much more testing with what I have loaded. Then I have to start casting again, as I only made about 100 bullets from the 125g mold.
I measured about 1115 fps from an EAA 4.5" barrel, using a load just under max for w231 with a 125g bullet. The bullets came out ot 128g after coating and resizing to .356.
I could see nothing inside the barrel after shooting 15 rounds, not even a speck of powder. In the next few days, I plan to do much more testing with what I have loaded. Then I have to start casting again, as I only made about 100 bullets from the 125g mold.
shootnstarz
Master
Red bullet blue bullet, cool.
I need to get a 125Gr RN for loading 38s, I think the 158s are a bit too heavy.
So you're sizing right down to .357 for 38s?
Rick
I need to get a 125Gr RN for loading 38s, I think the 158s are a bit too heavy.
So you're sizing right down to .357 for 38s?
Rick
I usually go to .358 for lead bullets. But yes, you could resize to .357. For my use, I think the powder coated bullets are equivalent to the fmj ones as far as loads and sizing goes. I have not done as much testing as I would like, but plan to in the near future. I was even thinking of enlisting some help from others with the testing.
shootnstarz
Master
And you're shaving the 125 grainers down to .356 for 9mm? Are you able to take that much lead off a .358+ bullet in one step?
A little more info on the chrome coating too please, I likes it !!!
RH
A little more info on the chrome coating too please, I likes it !!!
RH
Last edited:
Yes, no problem sizing to .356. I don't have very hard lead, just stuff I collected and some I bought off ebay. I would even try some at .355 but don't know where to find a sizer that size except special order.
On the powder coating, I like the chrome best. The first few batches I made came out good-looking, but lately, I have been getting all frosted. I don't know what changed in my setup.
What I do is put a couple of teaspoons of powder in a small container and put 50 or so bullets in there and shake moderately, moving in all directions. Then I use a kitchen strainer and pour the contents out into the strainer while holding it over a larger container (peanut butter jar). Later I pour the powder from the larger container into the smaller one using a funnel. This saves the powder for the next batch.
Next is the tedious part, I use very small needle-nosed pliers and pick each bullet from the pile in the strainer and place it on a perforated aluminum sheet, standing up. If you touch the powdered bullet, the powder will come off. Then very carefully, I place the sheet full of bullets in a toaster oven at 400-415 degrees for 15 minutes.
As I mentioned, I have to recheck my temperature and time because the latest batches have been disappointing.
More later....
On the powder coating, I like the chrome best. The first few batches I made came out good-looking, but lately, I have been getting all frosted. I don't know what changed in my setup.
What I do is put a couple of teaspoons of powder in a small container and put 50 or so bullets in there and shake moderately, moving in all directions. Then I use a kitchen strainer and pour the contents out into the strainer while holding it over a larger container (peanut butter jar). Later I pour the powder from the larger container into the smaller one using a funnel. This saves the powder for the next batch.
Next is the tedious part, I use very small needle-nosed pliers and pick each bullet from the pile in the strainer and place it on a perforated aluminum sheet, standing up. If you touch the powdered bullet, the powder will come off. Then very carefully, I place the sheet full of bullets in a toaster oven at 400-415 degrees for 15 minutes.
As I mentioned, I have to recheck my temperature and time because the latest batches have been disappointing.
More later....
