Picked up this mold a few months ago to use in my S&W Regulation Police revolvers in 38 S&W. Full WC, probably 150 gr. marked 360344S (for small). This mold drops at .362/.363 using 50/50 WW/PB. If this is a small drop, what would a standard 360344 drop? Anyone with experience with either?
I size to .360 for both my guns and all the old designs work well. This 360344S makes me wonder and go; HHHMMMMM!!!
the 38 S&W took a larger boolit than the 38 special.
a 362 to 363 would have fit one pretty well. thirt Bbl's specced at 360. [ish]
Guesser, I'm getting my ducks in a row for a group buy of this Boolit.
Samples are submitted, drawings done, now I just have to put the thing together. I reserve not naming the manufacture since all details are pending his approval.
I have an Ideal 360344 single cavity. In a .38 special, sized to .358 it is a nice, clean cutting wadcutter.
My mold drops .360 and weighs 150 with 50/50 alloy
Last edited by justingrosche; 02-19-2012 at 07:33 AM.
Interesting, my mold is marked "S" and drops .362/.363 with 50/50. I size to .360 for both of my revolvers and accuracy is impressive. I have thought of sizing down to .358 for use in my Colt OMT, but the loob grooves are going to get really shallow, really quick doing that.
Lyman usaully marked undersized molds with a "U" prefix before the mord number to denote the fact that the mold cast undersized ie: U 360-344. I don't believe the "S" on your mold after the mold number was put there to indicate "small". Probably an inspectors initial. Perhaps someone more knowlegable will chime in.
Good; yes I was transposing "s" and "u" in my thought malprocess.Thanks
s is most likely the cherry makers designation or lot number.
...............The old Lyman 4C 35863 drops a 150gr WC @ .363". I've had a couple other folks who owned one make the same comment. Years ago Lyman (and probably IDEAL moulds) used to drop a couple thou larger then the same numbers of today. Rumor has it they got enough grief about it that they cherried their moulds smaller.
................Buckshot
Father Grand Caster watches over you my brother. Go now and pour yourself a hot one. May the Sacred Silver Stream be with you always
Proud former Shooters.Com Cast Bullet alumnus and plank owner.
"The Republic can survive a Barack Obama, who is, after all, merely a fool. It is less likely to survive a multitude of fools such as those who made him their president."
Shrink the State End the Fed Balance the budget Make a profit Leave an inheritance
I have a 358344 that drops 360...
I remember reading somewhere in an old Lyman handbook, that the 360***'s were designed to be used with the .38 Smith&Wesson, evidently they had such varying bore/groove diameters that slugging was almost mandatory....also have read it in Phil Sharpe's guide..
pete
My mid '20's Regulation Police and my 1953 Regulation Police both measure perfect .3595, I size .360 and they are phenomenal performers for small framed guns.
Posting Permissions
| BP | Bronze Point | IMR | Improved Military Rifle | PTD | Pointed |
| BR | Bench Rest | M | Magnum | RN | Round Nose |
| BT | Boat Tail | PL | Power-Lokt | SP | Soft Point |
| C | Compressed Charge | PR | Primer | SPCL | Soft Point "Core-Lokt" |
| HP | Hollow Point | PSPCL | Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" | C.O.L. | Cartridge Overall Length |
| PSP | Pointed Soft Point | Spz | Spitzer Point | SBT | Spitzer Boat Tail |
| LRN | Lead Round Nose | LWC | Lead Wad Cutter | LSWC | Lead Semi Wad Cutter |
| GC | Gas Check |
Reply With Quote