Unknown .38 RN mold

KeithB

KeithB

Resident Half Fast Machinist
Here are some photos of a junk mold that I picked up for cheap several years ago. It drops a nominal .358" 158 gr round nose bullet. There are no makers marks on the sides or bottom. When I got it there was only one screw in the mold and that had bulged out one side. I made the sprue plate from a piece of tool steel and found a screw that would work well enough to test the mold. It dropped bullets like rain, well filled out once up to temp. I didn't cast too many, I wanted to finish fixing up the mold. Then life intervened and I put this one the back burner for a while.

I found this on my mold shelf when I was looking for a four cavity 358311 I thought I had, turns out it was a 356242 121gr 9mm mold I mismarked, apparently I DON'T have a -311. I also found an RCCBS two cavity 358" 158gr RN mold, which I have posted here for comparison.

Can anyone suggest the maker of my unknown mold? Comments?

Top view. My homemade sprue plate. Note the unusual base venting.
3hole158rn01.jpg

No makers marks anywhere, but this side shows the bulged screw hole.
3hole158rn02.jpg

Nothing on this side either.
3hole158rn03.jpg

No vent lines on either inside face. Note the rectangular grease groove.
3hole158rn04.jpg

Here is a RCBS 358" 158gr RN for comparison. Like all my RCBS molds it works well for its intended purpose but it is only a two cavity which limits my joy.
RCBS158RN01.jpg
 
CZ93X62

CZ93X62

Official forum enigma
I think Ric nailed it. Perhaps it is unmarked because it was diverted from the scrapyard due to the bulged screw gallery. That's SWAG at it, anyway.
 
W

Walks

Well-Known Member
I agree with Ric & CZ
And RCBS has made 3 different versions of the 158gr RN, that I know of.
 
W

Walks

Well-Known Member
Didn't Saeco take over or buy out Cramer ?

Seem to remember talking to Saeco's Head Honcho back in the 1970's that he had bought out Cramer years earlier.
 
Last edited:
oscarflytyer

oscarflytyer

Well-Known Member
WOW! I also have an unmarked 3C 38 mold. Now I need to pull it out and see if you guys can ID. It drops a very nice 164 gr RNFP. I like it just because, and also because i use it for all my vintage 38 revolver loads so I know it is a vintage load. Casts and shoots great!
 
KeithB

KeithB

Resident Half Fast Machinist
Wow, I just found a three cavity Cramer on eBay that looks a whole lot like my mold only with a bevel base. Same base venting, square grease groove, etc.

www.ebay.com

Cramer Bullet Mold 3 Cavity .358 Diameter 158 Grain Round Nose Bevel Base | eBay

<p>Cramer Bullet Mold 3 Cavity .358 Diameter 158 Grain Round Nose Bevel Base. Has some light rust on the outside. The cavities themselves are fine. I’ve used this mold in the past. I enjoyed casting with it. It made very nice bullets. I don’t need it anymore. Come with handles that are in decent...
www.ebay.com
 
KeithB

KeithB

Resident Half Fast Machinist
No I haven’t. I have a short note and a small baggy of them sized and lubed. I have a skinny barrel M10 and a steel J frame (M36) and a Scandium J frame I want to try them in and the RCBS version also.
 
Last edited:
Urny

Urny

Missouri Ozarks, heart still in the Ruby Mountains
I have one like it, marked Cramer 38-158-STD. It casts and shoots just fine, though finding a practical use for .38 Long Rifle has eluded me.
 
Last edited:
Urny

Urny

Missouri Ozarks, heart still in the Ruby Mountains
Lots of those available and herself would love for me kill everyone I can find around the house. The Grey Sabre-tooth squirrels chew away the walnut hulls and leave them on the front deck, much to her irritation. I like them though and will not shoot them except to eat. .22 LR HP is perfect for that.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.