Lee 125 gr cast bullets

[savagelover]

Any one use the 125 gr lee cast bullets in the 357 revolver or Rossi rifle.
How did it work out. I have a bunch of them powder coated as well as a bunch lubed. Sized .358 diameter.. did you get good results?? What powder? I have unique,blue dot, and others.thanks..johnny

 

[Alaskamike]

It's not the Lee RNFP, but I have a mold for a 125 grain SWC (Accurate 36-125K) and it does very well in my 4" S&W model 28, 4"Ruger Security Six, several different model 10s, and a 20" Rossi 92.

In .357 mag brass, I typically load 10 grains of Power Pistol, and in .38 brass I load 4.5 grains of 231. Even the mag load is pretty easy shooting, and I'd expect the same from the Lee bullet.

 

[savagelover]

Thanks

 

[whisler]

I have used it in 357 brass in a Rossi 92 with 13.5 grains of 2400. Worked fine.

 

[savagelover]

Thanks for the replies

 

[Caplock]

I've been wanting to order this mold to save a little lead. Figure I don't need 158 grains to put holes in paper.
Anyone try to size it down to .356 and run it in a 9mm? That might be wishful thinking.
Let us know how it works and if you'd recommend buying one Savage.

 

[243winxb]

Lee 356-120- TC cast large enough to size to .358" for 357 mag or sized to .356" for my 9mm Luger. Diameter is dependent on alloy. More antimony, larger diameter.

Have not test fired any.

Figure I don't need 158 grains to put holes in paper

My thinking also. Save the alloy.

 

[Y-T71]

I've been wanting to order this mold to save a little lead. Figure I don't need 158 grains to put holes in paper.
Anyone try to size it down to .356 and run it in a 9mm? That might be wishful thinking.
Let us know how it works and if you'd recommend buying one Savage.

I loaded Lee 125 gr RNFP in 9mm with success.

Powder coated and sized to .357" it shot well over 4.2gr of Win 231 with an OAL of 1.08"

These were fired out of 3 different CZ pistols as well as a S&W 6906 and Springfield Armory 9mm 1911.

Of course, my OAL was the longest that would "plunk" in all my firearms and your OAL would need to be determined by you.

This bullet works great in .38spl brass over a light charge of Titegroup; the only use I personally have for Titegroup.

As far as 9mm goes, after picking up Lee's 6 cavity 120gr TC mold, I never used their RNFP in 9mm again.

Hope this helps.

*edit* spelling

 

[greyling22]

I tried the 120 truncated cone. https://leeprecision.com/mold-6-cav-356-120-tc it dropped around .355-.356 and leaded badly in my witness match and marlin 19894c with microgroove. I tried the 125grn RNFP, https://leeprecision.com/6-cav-358-125-rf and it drops anywhere from .358-.360. I size some down to .358 for the 9mm, and it works pretty well. I load them as cast in the marlin, and they shoot like lasers.

 

[cfullgraf]

Anyone try to size it down to .356 and run it in a 9mm? That might be wishful thinking.

I have shot many Lee 105 SWC bullets in my Beretta M84 (380 ACP). Functioned great, shot well. I do not remember if I tried them in other 380 handguns.

Since 9x19 head spaces on the case mouth, the shoulder on the bullet may need to be seated flush with the case mouth.

Note, Lee makes/made 38 SWC molds in several bullet weights, all with the same nose profile. I have the 105 gr and 158 gr versions. If memory serves me correctly, they made a 124/125 gr version and a 140 gr version at one time or another.

Second note, I bought a used 1950's era 38 Super 1911 that came with a "head pace on the rim" barrel. I could load 158 gr 38 cal SWC and it would shoot small groups and leave the cases in a pile at my feet. I replaced the barrel with a "head space on the case mouth barrel" and my SWC loads would no longer chamber. I suspect the shoulder on the bullet was hitting the end of the chamber where the case mouth head spaces. If I had resized the bullets, or seated them deeper in the case where the shoulder match the location of the case mouth, they may have worked.

Currently, that gun has a 38 Special barrel in it. Maybe someday, I return the 38 Super barrel to it and try out the above suggestions.

 

[doubleh]

Not a Lee bullet but I have had good luck with lightly loaded 125 gr. lead bullets in my revolvers. My Rossi 92 is OK but prefers a heavier, faster, bullet for better accuracy.

 

[chamokaneman]

I've used the 2R tumble lubed in both my 9mm's and 357/38 spec. Mine come out at 127 grains and I powder coat them. Sized to .357. I've used Tite Group and HP38 for both.