Lyman .357 Mold

[ztirffritz]

How much do bullet molds usually go for? Someone is selling what looks to be a .357 mold for air gun slugs on Craigslist in Seattle for about $45. I'd be surprised if those are really for airguns, but I've not seen firearm slugs that had the rings around them like that. I've only seen those on airgun ammo.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/spo/5484656233.html



Edit: I guess I just don't know enough about cast bullets. It looks like all of their bullets have rings around them...
Anyway, it looks like this guy I think:
http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/bullet-casting/mould-details.php?entryID=9

 

[I_Like_Irons]

That, without a better pic, looks like the Lyman 358156. It is a gas check design that weighs about 158 grains when cast with a low tin alloy. 

That particular mold looks like it has a bit too much rust, especially in the first cavity nearest the handles. If there is any pitting in the cavity, the mold is usually junk. The rust on the outside bothers me just a little bit, but I'd pass on that based on what I see in the cavity.

The grooves in the cast bullets are to hold the wax or alox based lubricants. The gas check is a copper disk that is pressed and crimped onto the base of the bullet to help prevent leading due to hot gasses from full power loads that tend to melt the base. With light loads, the gas check is not needed and will not be used. With airguns, the gas check shouldn't even be considered.

However, the weight of the thing seems too heavy to me for any airgun use. I'd want to stay below 140 grains, unless you are running helium. 

ETA: If it is not the gas check design, then it would be the 358446.

 

[nielsenammo]

Those grooves are for lube (called lube grooves) and is used to put a waxy lube in to reduce leading in the barrel when you fire a powder burner. Normally this is done in the sizing process where the sizer sizes the bullet and adds the lube at the same time. You actually do not need them in air rifles but they do reduce friction in the barrel.

That mold is too heavy for your Bulldog. I would not shoot over 125 grain in that gun and lighter is better if you find something that is accurate,

 

[I_Like_Irons]

The other thing that is really funky about that particular mold and handles is that the handles are a modified pair of Lineman's pliers. The handles will be too short and not insulated enough to do much casting. You would have to get a set of handles as well.