Ideal 358 156

JonB

Halcyon member
I recently acquired this old Ideal mold, While I do really like the old Ideals, I wouldn't have bought this one, since I have a NOE copy of this design in plain base, BUT it was priced so cheap, handles included...also, I have a container of old GCs that didn't have a use, but figured they'd fit this old bullet...and they do.

mold closed Ideal marking sample boolits.jpg

Mold cavity with sample boolits and GCs 450px.jpg
I just did some test casting with it, using a scrap alloy similar to COWW and found out that the Sprue side cavity is sticky as all get out. I can't see any burrs or damage with my eye...but it needs some help of some kind? These 20+ bullets were all I cast, due to have to 'pick' the bullets out of the cavity.
 

S Mac

Sept. 10, 2021 Steve left us. You are missed.
I had a mould that was like that, did the q tip thing feeling for burrs, a little scraping to no avail. Finally lapped with Clover compound, helped a bunch. Didn't take much.
 

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
The other tip is to use a #2 graphite pencil to trace all the corners of the sticky side. It has to be really sharp, but it gives you very good feel for a burr. Personally I just lap them with a cast bullet an fine Clover valve grinding compound with a small wood screw and screw driver. FWIW, Ric
 
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Bret4207

At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
My first and still one of my favorite 357 bullets. No, I suppose I don't really need the GC, but the thing just plain shoots in everything I've ever tried it in. Can't argue with success!
 

KHornet

Well-Known Member
As usual I agree with Bret. Don't shoot a lot of them
anymore, but they shoot great in most everything.
I shoot mostly the 125 gr Lee RNFP now, saves lead
plain base, and works great on paper.

Paul
 

fiver

Well-Known Member
look at the part line marks on your bullets, I bet you figure it out real quick.