New to me OLD MOLD!

[CWLONGSHOT]

I have been looking for some months. As I like this Arsenal 45/250 FWC mold I thought that a 35 version might be hot skit!
The Ideal mold was a 360344 it was a 38 S&W designed bullet @ 150g. But should be sizeable down to 38/357 use.

Anyone have experience with it?

Last night on Ebay a old version popped @ 60$ shipped from Upstate NY. (Couple Hours from Me) It was made in Middlefield CT 10 -12 miles from Me.



The mold and handles are one unit. Inside looks a lil ratty. But seller says its just dusty and near 98+% fir casting and minor tarnish outside that wont effect ability to cast nice bullets. I asked if he cast it he said no. I took a chance as ya dont see them often.

Aughta see next week. Ill post back up when it arrives.

Love to hear comments on the bullet/mold!

CW

 

[CZ93X62]

I think "Middlefield, Conn." = Lyman or Ideal.

 

[RicinYakima]

It is indeed a pre-1927 Ideal mould. Yes the '344 is a full wadcutter that was meant to be seated with the about 1/2 the bullet out of the case in a crimp groove. It needs to be loaded with data for 158 grain RN bullets, as it has the same internal volume as the standard bullet. I have loaded these at +P for self defense loads. For me they shoot fine up to about 50 yards, but get a little wobbly at 100 from a rifle.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

CW

 

[Ian]

"A little dusty" = beaten to buggarry. Hope the cavity is OK and it aligns right.

 

[Walks]

My Dad had a few of those. Cast my very 1st bullets out of one. It looked a little bit better, but not much.

 

[CZ93X62]

I use a fat-casting NOE clone #358477 that drops at 151 grains in 92/6/2 alloy and 'cleans up' in a .361" H&I die. It is a good fit for my S&W Regulation Police x 4" at that sizing. It suffers no ill effects sized down to .359" for the Colt Police Positive x 4", or down to .358" for the 38 Specials and 357 Magnums.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

"A little dusty" = beaten to buggarry. Hope the cavity is OK and it aligns right.

I asked these questions. He said he did not cast with it & it needs a good cleaning but it should cast nice bullets... Fingers crossed.
CW

 

[CZ93X62]

If the block faces aren't warped out and the cavities line up, you should be good to go.

 

[RicinYakima]

If it is bad, I can send you an article on correcting, as much as possible, those old one piece moulds for alignment.

 

[oscarflytyer]

If it is bad, I can send you an article on correcting, as much as possible, those old one piece moulds for alignment.

Ric - if you wouldn't mind, pls send me the info on alignment. I recently bought an old batch of molds with a lot of the very old single cavities. No clue how they will line up/cast, but would def like the info. TIA

 

[Ben]

Is this it ?
I like photos..............

 

[Walks]

Looks like the picture in the Cast Bullet #2

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

YUP!
Aint she a looker!!

 

[Walks]

Looks real good on the inside.
That is the picture front the #2 cast book.
That old mold brings back memories. I think the one I cast was a #360250 RN ?

 

[CZ93X62]

What Walks said. I think you'll be fine.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

Im hoping!

 

[Cadillac Jeff]

I think that is a dandy!!

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

This mold arrived today!! Wow is it a cute svelte lil mold!! Definitely quite old. Im hoing to make video about it and then do some casting with it.
Its lead a hard life. But closes well and aligns proper. Many hammer marks and the spure plate has had rough use. The cavities cleaned pretty good but have some tarnish. No light seen theu the closed halves.


My video

 

[Walks]

Wow ! That is beat to " " and gone.
Still I've seen some Beautiful flowers bloom on a really ugly cactus.