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Thread: Ideal bullet mold identification

  1. #1
    Boolit Mold
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    Ideal bullet mold identification

    I have this mold only number on it is 444 38 Caliber not quite a round nose but not a hipplewhight either I don't think just wondering if anyone has seem another or used oneClick image for larger version. 

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ID:	326444Click image for larger version. 

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    Last edited by rhighno; 05-10-2024 at 02:40 PM.

  2. #2
    Boolit Master
    Bent Ramrod's Avatar
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    What does the top of the blocks look like?

    Your upper alignment pin and hole looks unusually close to the top edge of the blocks. I’ve seen this situation before in moulds that have had some of the rear of the cavities milled off, due perhaps to damage (galling on the top of the mould), experimentation with a shortened and lightened boolit, or “free expression.”

    Yours could originally have been a 358311 with the bottom groove gone, or a 358502 with the tit that holds the Harvey zinc washer against the base taken off.

  3. #3
    Boolit Grand Master Bazoo's Avatar
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    Welcome to the forum!

    Interesting old mould, thank you for sharing.

    Definitely not a 358502, as that's a nose-pour design.
    Last edited by Bazoo; 05-08-2024 at 01:49 PM.
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  4. #4
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    Chill Wills's Avatar
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    I agree with Bent Ramrod in that the alignment pins, both upper and lower look to be crazy close to the outer edges. Maybe just the photo.
    I really enjoy some of these old ideal molds and their designs from back in the day. I have one or two worth posting too.
    Chill Wills

  5. #5
    Boolit Master
    GLL's Avatar
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    What is stamped on the other block?
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  6. #6
    Boolit Grand Master
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    The 444 is to ID the mould block pair. There should be another one like it on the other block. The other block should have a 4 to 6 digit number that will tell you what the blocks started out as.
    Froggie
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  7. #7
    Boolit Mold
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    No other numbers on the blocks other than the 444

  8. #8
    Boolit Mold
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    I thought the shape of the bullet was unusual not quite a full round nose but has an edge kinda l I ke a semiwadcutter

  9. #9
    Boolit Mold
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    I added a couple more pictures

  10. #10
    Boolit Grand Master Bazoo's Avatar
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    It's similar to the 358311 but with a more defined front driving band, like the Himmelwright wadcutter.

    Without other numbers, I'd say it was homemade by someone that purchased blocks from Ideal.
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  11. #11
    Boolit Grand Master
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    Without more information to the contrary Bazoo has given as close to a definitive answer as you’re likely to get.
    Froggie
    "It aint easy being green!"

  12. #12
    Boolit Mold
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    That was my initial thoughts that it was a custom job I have 358 311 I'll to compare them thanks to all responses I knew I came to the right place

  13. #13
    Boolit Buddy 20:1's Avatar
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    Ideal/Lyman, along with RCBS, and others used to sell blank mould block sets for people to cut their own cavities. These blocks were only marked with the blocks "matching" number. This could be one of those block sets.

  14. #14
    Boolit Master



    skeettx's Avatar
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    Maybe a Harvey Prot-X mould
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BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
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HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
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