Winelover
North Central Arkansas
Cut my casting teeth on RCBS iron moulds, over forty years ago. Besides being two cavity, they tend to cast smaller diameter bullets. Pulled out two 35 caliber RCBS moulds, the other day. I haven't cast with those moulds for probably twenty years. Sure enough, the 158 SWC GC was dropping bullets of .3575 diameter. Good enough for the three tight throated J-frame Smiths but I really don't require a GC for 38 Special. So I figured it's time for a custom mould. Always wanted to try one of Tom's iron offerings..............I already own Accurate moulds in brass and aluminum.
Decided on a mixed cavity. Two PB and two GC of the same design. PB for 38 Special, GC for my 357 revolvers and carbine.
![DSCN1112.JPG DSCN1112.JPG](https://www.artfulbullet.com/data/attachments/14/14689-c9af9cc5db77e6194dd0749f81d0a096.jpg)
![DSCN1109.JPG DSCN1109.JPG](https://www.artfulbullet.com/data/attachments/14/14691-ba81e48d4843577729946b27a4783dc1.jpg)
Notice the shortened sprue plate..................first time I've run across something like that from Tom. Not sure I like it.
![DSCN1113.JPG DSCN1113.JPG](https://www.artfulbullet.com/data/attachments/14/14690-a8191498e20b1d1401cda078a4fd0317.jpg)
Another first, is the venting on the top of the mould block.
![DSCN1115.JPG DSCN1115.JPG](https://www.artfulbullet.com/data/attachments/14/14692-1a4543b8e3175d4e417e9c4b3ad946b2.jpg)
Mould arrived Saturday afternoon. Already was too hot (mid 80's) to cast outdoors. So I fired up the pot, yesterday morning and proceeded to ladle cast for a couple of hours. Bullets dropping out of mould at .3605 diameter. I specified .360 with WW +2%...................which is a approximation of my recovered bullet alloy, from my backyard range.
The iron blocks that Tom uses are massive. I was expecting something much smaller, along the lines of the four cavity iron Saeco, I borrowed from Rick...........not even close. Weight of the mould is 1.99 lbs, without handles.
Comparing that, to a four cavity brass, that weighs in at 2.42 pounds...............not quite a half pound difference. An RCBS, two cavity, is a mere 13.2 ounces.
![DSCN1110.JPG DSCN1110.JPG](https://www.artfulbullet.com/data/attachments/14/14688-16890fe1eb537dbbac4ab26ddd83fff2.jpg)
Decided on a mixed cavity. Two PB and two GC of the same design. PB for 38 Special, GC for my 357 revolvers and carbine.
![DSCN1112.JPG DSCN1112.JPG](https://www.artfulbullet.com/data/attachments/14/14689-c9af9cc5db77e6194dd0749f81d0a096.jpg)
![DSCN1109.JPG DSCN1109.JPG](https://www.artfulbullet.com/data/attachments/14/14691-ba81e48d4843577729946b27a4783dc1.jpg)
Notice the shortened sprue plate..................first time I've run across something like that from Tom. Not sure I like it.
![DSCN1113.JPG DSCN1113.JPG](https://www.artfulbullet.com/data/attachments/14/14690-a8191498e20b1d1401cda078a4fd0317.jpg)
Another first, is the venting on the top of the mould block.
![DSCN1115.JPG DSCN1115.JPG](https://www.artfulbullet.com/data/attachments/14/14692-1a4543b8e3175d4e417e9c4b3ad946b2.jpg)
Mould arrived Saturday afternoon. Already was too hot (mid 80's) to cast outdoors. So I fired up the pot, yesterday morning and proceeded to ladle cast for a couple of hours. Bullets dropping out of mould at .3605 diameter. I specified .360 with WW +2%...................which is a approximation of my recovered bullet alloy, from my backyard range.
The iron blocks that Tom uses are massive. I was expecting something much smaller, along the lines of the four cavity iron Saeco, I borrowed from Rick...........not even close. Weight of the mould is 1.99 lbs, without handles.