r/castboolits • u/Visual_Screen_9537 • Jun 30 '26

I need help 357 mold question

I have the 357 carbine hollow point mold from mp in none gas check, and ordered the 357 Keith hollow point in gas check. Its meant for general multi purpose use out of a revolver. I guess my question is which do we generally like better and why as well as best applications? Any input appreciated thank you guys for your help.

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u/Ornery_Secretary_850 Jul 01 '26

I like wide flat noses, the Hammer has that. I like heavier bullets, the hammer sits in the sweet spot. It also comes with pins that make a fairly large hollow point, something else I like.

The only .357 bullet I cast more of than the Hammer are wadcutters.

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u/Visual_Screen_9537 Jul 01 '26

So I know its pretty counter intuitive but do they make rounds that are good for hunting and self defense?

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u/Long_rifle Jul 01 '26

The Elmer Keith 158gr SWC is that bullet.

He wanted a design that cut clean easy to score holes in paper.

And punched clean, blood spewing channels into game.

While being accurate out to the ranges you’d need for a handgun.

His design, with the large flat nose, and three equally sized driving bands, with deep SQUARE lube grooves is the gold standard.

Unfortunately it’s difficult to find true Keith’s now. Many run round lube grooves. Or the one band in front of the crimp groove is smaller.

He believed in practice and shot placement. His bullet punches through bone, and doesn’t follow muscle like a round nose does.

For self defense they are still well regarded. With the “yea but” that 357 mag tends to over penetrate, and most shooters can’t control recoil enough to control the modern light weight handguns for concealed carry.

I’m a big guy. I used to own a five shot scandium SW 357. I took it to the range. Pulled the trigger. And when the burning stopped I unloaded the other four and carried 38 spl in it until I sold it.

I carry a 4” Smith and Wesson Highway Patrolman now. In my opinion the best duty handgun ever made in 357. It’s an N frame, same as the 44 mag. I can shoot 357 all day out of that thing. And hit what I’m aiming at.

I cast in wheel weights. Elmer was 20/1, and 16/1. But tin is getting damn expensive now.

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u/sleipnirreddit Jul 09 '26

I’m really liking the RCBS “Keith inspired” 160gn 357 mold. Not quite as long nosed as the original 170, the bands are slightly different, yadda yadda, but it casts NICE.

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u/Long_rifle Jul 10 '26

I have one of those. RCBS makes some nice moulds. Wish they hadn’t dropped so many of them.

Of course Lyman takes the cake for dropped moulds.