Lee Six Cavity Mold .38 105gr-swc No Handles Review

Let’s Dive into Lee Six Cavity Mold .38 105gr-swc No Handles

The Lee Six Cavity Mold .38 105gr-swc No Handles offers reloaders the ability to cast their own .38 caliber bullets with a classic semi-wadcutter profile. Manufactured by Lee Precision, a company known for its affordable and innovative reloading equipment, this mold promises to deliver consistent and accurate projectiles for target shooting and plinking. This mold stands out due to its six-cavity design, allowing for faster bullet production compared to single or double cavity molds.

My pursuit of this mold stemmed from a desire to become more self-sufficient in my reloading process and a need for a cost-effective way to produce .38 Special ammunition for my revolvers. I was tired of relying solely on commercially available bullets and the rising costs associated with them, so I decided to venture into bullet casting.

Upon receiving the mold, my initial impression was that it felt solid and well-made for its price point. The aluminum construction felt lighter than I expected, but the CNC-machined block halves exuded precision. The absence of handles was noticeable, but I knew this was a deliberate choice to keep the cost down, and I already had a set of Lee handles on hand.

I considered other molds, including those from Lyman and RCBS, but ultimately, the Lee mold’s six-cavity design and significantly lower price swayed my decision. I was excited to finally start casting my own bullets and tailor them to my specific needs.

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Real-World Testing: Putting Lee Six Cavity Mold .38 105gr-swc No Handles to the Test

First Use Experience

My first casting session with the Lee Six Cavity Mold .38 105gr-swc No Handles took place at my outdoor reloading bench on a warm, sunny afternoon. I used a propane burner to melt my lead alloy and carefully heated the mold, following Lee’s instructions. The mold heated up quickly, and within a few minutes, I was ready to start pouring.

The mold filled easily, and the aluminum sprue plate allowed for clean cuts, leaving minimal excess lead. After a short cooling period, the bullets dropped cleanly from the cavities. I did experience some initial sticking, but after applying a mold release agent, the problem disappeared.

Extended Use & Reliability

After several weeks of consistent use, the Lee Six Cavity Mold .38 105gr-swc No Handles has proven to be a reliable and productive tool. The aluminum construction heats up and cools down quickly, allowing for consistent bullet production. I’ve cast hundreds of bullets with this mold, and it shows no signs of significant wear and tear.

Cleaning the mold is straightforward, requiring only a soft brush and some solvent to remove any lead residue. Compared to my previous experience with a single-cavity steel mold, this Lee mold is significantly faster and easier to use. While steel molds might retain heat slightly better, the convenience and speed of the Lee aluminum mold outweigh this minor difference.

Breaking Down the Features of Lee Six Cavity Mold .38 105gr-swc No Handles

Specifications

• Caliber Compatibility: Designed for .38 Colt NP, .38 Special, and .357 Magnum, offering versatility for various handgun cartridges. This allows reloaders to use the same mold for multiple calibers, streamlining their reloading process.
• Bullet Weight: Produces 105-grain semi-wadcutter (SWC) bullets, a popular choice for target shooting and light-recoiling loads. The 105-grain weight is ideal for achieving consistent accuracy without excessive recoil.
• Construction Material: Made from aluminum, which allows for faster heating and cooling compared to steel molds. This results in quicker bullet production and reduced casting time.
• Cavity Design: Features a six-cavity design, enabling the casting of six bullets with each pour. This significantly increases the overall production rate compared to single or double-cavity molds.
• Bullet Type: Creates semi-wadcutter (SWC) bullets, known for their clean hole punching in paper targets and reliable feeding in revolvers. The SWC design is a classic choice for .38 caliber handguns.
• Requires Handles: This mold does not include handles, requiring the user to purchase them separately. This helps keep the cost down but requires an additional investment if you don’t already own a compatible set of handles.

Performance & Functionality

The Lee Six Cavity Mold .38 105gr-swc No Handles performs exceptionally well in its intended role, producing consistent and accurate bullets. The bullets consistently weigh within a tight tolerance, ensuring reliable performance when loaded into cartridges. I’ve found that these bullets provide excellent accuracy in my .38 Special revolvers, making them ideal for target practice.

The mold’s six-cavity design significantly speeds up the casting process, allowing me to produce a large number of bullets in a relatively short amount of time. A minor weakness is the aluminum construction’s susceptibility to damage if mishandled, but with proper care, it should provide years of reliable service. It certainly meets my expectations, significantly improving my reloading efficiency and reducing my ammunition costs.

Design & Ergonomics

The aluminum construction of the Lee Six Cavity Mold .38 105gr-swc No Handles makes it lightweight and easy to handle, even during extended casting sessions. The mold is well-balanced, and the cavities fill evenly, resulting in consistent bullet weights.

The mold is relatively user-friendly, but some experience with bullet casting is recommended. Proper mold preparation and temperature control are essential for achieving optimal results.

Durability & Maintenance

The Lee Six Cavity Mold .38 105gr-swc No Handles, while made of aluminum, appears durable enough for regular use, with proper maintenance. Regular cleaning and lubrication of the sprue plate will help prevent lead buildup and ensure smooth operation.

Cleaning is simple and straightforward. It requires disassembling the mold and using a soft brush and solvent to remove any lead residue.

Accessories and Customization Options

The Lee Six Cavity Mold .38 105gr-swc No Handles requires compatible mold handles, which are sold separately by Lee Precision. Lee offers a variety of handle options to suit different preferences.

There are no other specific accessories designed solely for this mold, but the bullets it produces can be loaded with various powders, primers, and cartridge cases to achieve desired performance characteristics. The bullets produced can also be sized to fit your firearm’s bore for optimal accuracy.

Pros and Cons of Lee Six Cavity Mold .38 105gr-swc No Handles

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Who Should Buy Lee Six Cavity Mold .38 105gr-swc No Handles?

This mold is perfect for reloaders who:

• Want to cast their own .38 caliber bullets for target shooting or plinking.
• Are looking for a cost-effective way to produce a large quantity of bullets.
• Have some experience with bullet casting and understand the importance of proper mold preparation and temperature control.

Those who should skip this product:

• Are looking for a complete bullet casting kit with all necessary components included.
• Prefer the durability of steel molds over aluminum.
• Are completely new to reloading and bullet casting and may find the process overwhelming.

A must-have accessory is a good set of Lee mold handles. Also recommended is a mold release agent and a lead thermometer.

Conclusion on Lee Six Cavity Mold .38 105gr-swc No Handles

The Lee Six Cavity Mold .38 105gr-swc No Handles is a fantastic tool for reloaders looking to produce accurate and consistent .38 caliber bullets at an affordable price. While the absence of handles requires a separate purchase, the mold’s six-cavity design, ease of use, and consistent bullet production make it a worthwhile investment.

The value proposition is excellent, as it allows reloaders to significantly reduce their ammunition costs while maintaining control over the quality of their bullets. I personally recommend this mold to anyone interested in bullet casting, especially those who reload .38 Special or .357 Magnum cartridges.

Start casting your own bullets and experience the satisfaction of creating custom ammunition tailored to your specific needs. Add the Lee Six Cavity Mold .38 105gr-swc No Handles to your reloading bench today!