Ideal 358 395 hollow base WC.

[STIHL]

So, in my scrolling the bay, I came across a nice ideal 358-395 I threw a bid out for kicks and forgot about it, and lo and behold I am the new owner of one. It is a very nice mold to be the age it is and still very clean. I thought it was interesting, and was the reason for bidding. The only thing I have read is it’s and excellent midrange bullet and it weighs 148 grains.

Question is, is it a projectile worth putting any time in with or was it not very popular? I have never seen one or read about one, just thought it looked like a fun mold to try out, and to the collection.

 

[358156 hp]

I have a pair of them but am waiting for a big snow day without more pressing projects to sit down with a pot of 20:1 and my single cavity Ideals. It's the best way to burn an otherwise worthless day.

 

[STIHL]

Yessir, I don’t see it being a high volume bullet, I figured I’d give it a try when I finally get around to my 357s in the Ransom Rest and see what it will do compared to other full wad cutters. I think I have 6-7 to try outMore of an interesting piece for sure.

Im in the same boat as you, I have about 10 molds I need to try out, but I have so much else going on casting isn’t my top priority right now. I am going to attempt to cast some this week or next week it’s supposed to be nice and cool for us so be nice to cast without breaking a sweat.

 

[Brad]

I have a pair of them but am waiting for a big snow day without more pressing projects to sit down with a pot of 20:1 and my single cavity Ideals. It's the best way to burn an otherwise worthless day.

Resist that urge. Sell the moulds. You are working towards a single bullet per caliber and this is the first step.

 

[RicinYakima]

They are most excellent bullets, cast soft, with 2.5 grains of Bullseye at 50 feet. You will shoot a whole day's production at one indoor pistol match.

 

[STIHL]

They are most excellent bullets, cast soft, with 2.5 grains of Bullseye at 50 feet. You will shoot a whole day's production at one indoor pistol match.

I could see that happening. I’m going to give them a solid test. I normally do all my handgun tests at 75 feet so that should give me a solid distance to try them. I guess I’ll fire the pot up and see if I can’t make 100 or so up one night. And give them the honest chance in my full wad cutter tests.
This has been on my list to do for about 2 years now. Maybe I can get serious about it this year and at least cast all my projectiles to test. I’ll have to see exactly how many wad cutter molds I have, that’s bad, I’ve lost count.

 

[358156 hp]

Resist that urge. Sell the moulds. You are working towards a single bullet per caliber and this is the first step.

But I'm scared....
Besides, I need one version of each Keith and Thompson design for each caliber, plus LBT. And wadcutters! I need HB wadcutters, plus type 1, and type 2, and... plus I just bought a nifty Belding and Mull 165 gr mould. And rifle! And shotgun!

I gotta go, I need to get to ebay and do some more shopping.