Lee .356-125-2R mold... Like it?

[Galil5.56]

Thinking of trying this one,

and would like some feedback please.

I am sure it will drop .359"-.360" as per previous LEE mold experience which I like, and I plan on using it sized .357"- .358" in my 9mm pistols, unsized or perhaps .358" in a revolver. This bullet is a non tumble lube type with a tiny lube groove, and I plan on trying it tumble lubed, and conventionally lubed cast from WW's, air cooled and quenched. There does not seem to be much bearing surface, and I wonder if that detracts from this bullet in actual use. Plan on using 4.5-5 grains of Unique, 4.2 grains WW231, and 4 grains of Bullseye, all of which have worked well with numerous 125 cast bullets I have made and tried.

Well, how do you folks like this bullet in 9mm, .38 Special, or both? Did you tumble lube or lube conventionally, how well does this tiny lube groove work, and how do you rate accuracy?

I am also considering trying the .356-120-TC:

But have always used TC style bullets in 9mm, and thought I would try a RN for once, and something different.

Thanks.

 

[trickyasafox]

I've used the 120 TC with good results. Mine drops at 120 lubed ON THE DOT- which surprised me a little to be honest. I haven't used the 125 2-R, but I have used the 125gr TL RN and that fed and shot fine, but my mold was buggered up because I bought it used so I traded it off.

 

[nambu1]

I have used the RN with great results.

 

[Papucho]

Nambu:

What OAL have you used for this boolet?

 

[Remo-99]

I plan on using it sized .357"- .358" in my 9mm pistols, unsized or perhaps .358" in a revolver.

Generally short bullets or bullets with short bearing surfaces aren't best suited for revolvers, accuracy wise. due to revolvers design, where the alignment of the cylinder to barrel will vary slightly, it's enough to affect accuracy. Where as a long bullet such as a 148gr wadcutter or a 158gr swc has a long bearing surface to help the bullet stay aligned when it steps from the cylinder into the barrel.
I use a 158gr swc from a lee TL mold tumble lubed an unsized. They shoot very tight groups at 25 yards with my 686, and i haven't been able to find cast bullets from makers that will group as well. During seating the bullets, i will notice an occasional round that seats easy, which i put aside for general plinking use.
I've found that my revolver likes them unsized rather than sizing them all to a uniform level prior to seating, as the gun's forcing cone will custom size them to suit my barrel.
Most of that may not be relivent to an auto of course. But to compare you could try shooting groups of sized bullets and unsized bullets (providing they will chamber well enough).
Even non-tumble lube bullets can work well with tumble lube, but whether you size/lube them or tumble lube then size, try giving them another light coat of tumble lube after sizing.

 

[ants]

Tumble lube bullets:

Please consider not tumbling them.

Using tweezers or needle nose pliers, dip the base of the bullet up to the shoulder in Rooster Jacket and stand them up on a heavy cloth, with a fan to dry them overnight. If you size them after lubing, dip again and dry under the fan overnight.
You will be pleased. Rooster Jacket is about 11 or 12 bucks per 16oz bottle, and lubes two or three times the quantity of one 4oz bottle of Lee Liquid Alox.

All liquid lubes are sticky, but Rooster ain't nearly so sticky as LLA. Your seating die will thank me. Less smoke too.

 

[GooseGestapo]

I've got both. Both shoot very well.
I've gotten at or under 2" at 50yds with both. (S&W PPC-9, w/6"bbl)
I prefer the 120-TC however.
My 120-TC casts at 122gr and comes from the mould at .358-.359"
My 125-RN casts at 129.5gr and likewise at .3585".

I've found that both shoot better if sized to .357". I use SPG lube.
Shot a possible in PPC Match 1 to tie the national record in a Regional match last year.
I routinely shoot 1480's with the 120gr TC. Wish my eyesight was what it was 10-15yrs ago. Could probably make that a 1490+.

I've also got a 124-TCTL. It shoots very poorly. It casts to .3555". Very inaccurate, either tumble lubed or conventional lube (50/50 alox, or SPG).

 

[Galil5.56]

What OAL have you used for this boolet?

Papucho,

I got the 125 2R RN mold a few days back, and the first batch got seated 1.115". Could, and did go out a bit further, but using several barrels as gages found the stated length optimal for now. They drop @ 128.5 grains, get sized to .358" and they cast real nice and clean from WW's that were water quenched. Looking forward to getting some over a chronograph, and into targets for accuracy tests.

 

[incakola]

Have you shot that yet? I am considering the same thing. How has the accuracy been for you?

Thanks.

 

[Galil5.56]

Incakola,

So far, so good for function and plinking "minute of can" accuracy during my initial run. Tried some in .38 Special loads, and they worked pretty well too. I had planned on doing more in depth accuracy and velocity work-ups, but my chronograph suffered a "significant kinetic ballistic event" (glad), and gave me an excuse for a new tool which got here yesterday.

I'm lucky, as it seems the mold I got has pretty good QC, blocks and grooves line up, and internal finish is pretty good... Better than some Lee molds I have bought along the way. Wish I could tell you more now, but will have more to chew on later.

 

[scrat]

356 125r heck ya works good very very good. That is one heck of a mold. I found that when you pour the lead you have to wait a good minute otherwise if you open the mold up to early the base end wil crack. so its critical to get your molds to a good temp then let the lead solidfy before opening them up. otherwise they work very good. i used them with Lee liquid allox and had very very good results. clean up was really easy with no leading.