Found a Strange bullet mold.

CCCLVII · February 13, 2018, 04:50 PM

I was at a yard sale last summer and the woman there was selling her former husbands reloading items. I bought all the bullet molds they had.

Well yesterday I was looking at one and it looked odd to me. So I decided to cast it to see what it actually made.

The bullet is .3575 in diameter. It has a very short nose length of .31, so that leads me to believe its a 357 magnum (or possible 38 special bullet) but the odd thing is the weight and length of the bullet.

The bullet weighs in at 251 grains cast from wheel weight and is .953 in length. There is no place to put a gas check.

Is this just a super heavy 357 magnum bullet or is a a 358 rifle bullet with a very short nose?

If I can find a camera ill post a picture. I do not see any markings on the mold its self.

std7mag · February 13, 2018, 04:55 PM

Maybe from an obsolete black powder cartridge?

mapsjanhere · February 13, 2018, 05:10 PM

9x57 used slow and heavy 357 bullets in that weight range. I can't really see any handgun with room for nearly an inch of bullet.
The other option is a paper patched bullet, and your nose length is really the top of the paper, not the end of the case.

**Mike Irwin** · February 15, 2018, 07:17 AM

If it were intended for paper patching it MIGHT be for a round like the 9.3x74R.

It could also be for the .35 Winchester cartridge.

Who made the bullet mold? Any stock number on it?

jaguarxk120 · February 15, 2018, 07:40 AM

The British police used a 38 with a very heavy 200 grain bullet. Moved slower than a 38 special, but when the bullet hit anything it would start to tumble causing a very large wound cavity.

**Mike Irwin** · February 15, 2018, 09:26 AM

The British .380-200 was originally developed from the .38 S&W cartridge.

It was adopted as the .380 Mk I cartridge in the early 1920s. Later international warfare law concerns about the all-lead bullet resulted in the bullet being changed to a 170-gr. jacketed bullet, the Mk II.

Even though the Mk I was no longer the official service cartridge, it was in common use in the opening years of WW II as there was a lot of it in stores, but not much Mk II ammo.

But, at 250-gr., the bullet mould that CCC found is NOT for the .380-200.

Paul B. · February 15, 2018, 04:05 PM

I looked through some of my early Lyman manuals and the only bullet that comes close is #3589, now called 35809 to make Lyman's computer happy Problem is it was only cataloged in 150 and 200 gr. weights.
I have that mold in the 200 gr. weight and it's accurate even from a 2" snub nose. I tried Lyman's data to duplicate the old 200 gr. police load that Winchester and Remington once sold. Any other bullets I saw in a 250 gr. weight either had long tapered noses or took a gas check.
I wonder???? At one time Lyman would make a custom mold for a price. I have one that casts two different bullets, 311284 and 311282. Bullets are the same except 282 doe not take a gas check. A possibility is your mold is a #3589 shortened to lighten weight plus eliminate the gas check. A good clear picture would be a big help.
Paul B.

Old 454 · February 16, 2018, 03:56 PM

I have some old lyman books from the 50's... any mold numbers.. maybe i can look it up for you

Deja vu · February 20, 2018, 01:55 PM

I have a similar mold (in that it has no name or marking on it). Is yours made of Brass? Are there lube groves on the bullet?

I understand (correct me if I am wrong) that in the old days there where a few custom mold makers out side of the larger manufacturers. This may be for a proprietary cartridge than never caught on.

T. O'Heir · February 20, 2018, 02:57 PM

"...British police used a 38 with a very heavy 200 grain bullet..." British Army when trying to get more "Power" out of their .38 S&W revolvers.
"...believe its a .357 Magnum..." Not at 251 grains. And .3575" is too small for 9 x 57. That uses a .360" bullet. Definitely a rifle bullet at that weight and length though.
.356 Winchester or the like, maybe.

Deja vu · February 24, 2018, 02:25 PM

If you are looking to get rid of it PM me. Ill see what I can do.

armoredman · February 25, 2018, 12:42 AM

Whatever it is, it's neat.

February 13, 2018, 04:50 PM	#1
CCCLVII Senior Member Join Date: April 16, 2012 Location: Idaho Posts: 432	Found a Strange bullet mold. I was at a yard sale last summer and the woman there was selling her former husbands reloading items. I bought all the bullet molds they had. Well yesterday I was looking at one and it looked odd to me. So I decided to cast it to see what it actually made. The bullet is .3575 in diameter. It has a very short nose length of .31, so that leads me to believe its a 357 magnum (or possible 38 special bullet) but the odd thing is the weight and length of the bullet. The bullet weighs in at 251 grains cast from wheel weight and is .953 in length. There is no place to put a gas check. Is this just a super heavy 357 magnum bullet or is a a 358 rifle bullet with a very short nose? If I can find a camera ill post a picture. I do not see any markings on the mold its self. __________________ Always looking for a good hunt!

February 15, 2018, 07:17 AM	#4
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	If it were intended for paper patching it MIGHT be for a round like the 9.3x74R. It could also be for the .35 Winchester cartridge. Who made the bullet mold? Any stock number on it? __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

February 15, 2018, 09:26 AM	#6
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	The British .380-200 was originally developed from the .38 S&W cartridge. It was adopted as the .380 Mk I cartridge in the early 1920s. Later international warfare law concerns about the all-lead bullet resulted in the bullet being changed to a 170-gr. jacketed bullet, the Mk II. Even though the Mk I was no longer the official service cartridge, it was in common use in the opening years of WW II as there was a lot of it in stores, but not much Mk II ammo. But, at 250-gr., the bullet mould that CCC found is NOT for the .380-200. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

February 15, 2018, 04:05 PM	#7
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,800	I looked through some of my early Lyman manuals and the only bullet that comes close is #3589, now called 35809 to make Lyman's computer happy Problem is it was only cataloged in 150 and 200 gr. weights. I have that mold in the 200 gr. weight and it's accurate even from a 2" snub nose. I tried Lyman's data to duplicate the old 200 gr. police load that Winchester and Remington once sold. Any other bullets I saw in a 250 gr. weight either had long tapered noses or took a gas check. I wonder???? At one time Lyman would make a custom mold for a price. I have one that casts two different bullets, 311284 and 311282. Bullets are the same except 282 doe not take a gas check. A possibility is your mold is a #3589 shortened to lighten weight plus eliminate the gas check. A good clear picture would be a big help. Paul B. __________________ COMPROMISE IS NOT AN OPTION!

February 20, 2018, 01:55 PM	#9
Deja vu Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2010 Location: Border of Idaho & Montana Posts: 2,584	I have a similar mold (in that it has no name or marking on it). Is yours made of Brass? Are there lube groves on the bullet? I understand (correct me if I am wrong) that in the old days there where a few custom mold makers out side of the larger manufacturers. This may be for a proprietary cartridge than never caught on. __________________ Shot placement is everything! I would rather take a round of 50BMG to the foot than a 22short to the base of the skull. all 26 of my guns are 45/70 govt, 357 mag, 22 or 12 ga... I believe in keeping it simple. Wish my wife did as well... Last edited by Deja vu; February 20, 2018 at 02:52 PM. Reason: Turned a "the" in the a "there"

February 13, 2018, 04:55 PM	#2
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	Maybe from an obsolete black powder cartridge?

February 13, 2018, 05:10 PM	#3
mapsjanhere Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 2,832	9x57 used slow and heavy 357 bullets in that weight range. I can't really see any handgun with room for nearly an inch of bullet. The other option is a paper patched bullet, and your nose length is really the top of the paper, not the end of the case. __________________ I used to love being able to hit hard at 1000 yards. As I get older I find hitting a mini ram at 200 yards with the 22 oddly more satisfying.

February 15, 2018, 07:40 AM	#5
jaguarxk120 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,619	The British police used a 38 with a very heavy 200 grain bullet. Moved slower than a 38 special, but when the bullet hit anything it would start to tumble causing a very large wound cavity.

February 16, 2018, 03:56 PM	#8
Old 454 Senior Member Join Date: August 15, 2011 Location: Chesterton Ind. Posts: 822	I have some old lyman books from the 50's... any mold numbers.. maybe i can look it up for you

February 20, 2018, 02:57 PM	#10
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	"...British police used a 38 with a very heavy 200 grain bullet..." British Army when trying to get more "Power" out of their .38 S&W revolvers. "...believe its a .357 Magnum..." Not at 251 grains. And .3575" is too small for 9 x 57. That uses a .360" bullet. Definitely a rifle bullet at that weight and length though. .356 Winchester or the like, maybe. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

February 24, 2018, 02:25 PM	#11
Deja vu Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2010 Location: Border of Idaho & Montana Posts: 2,584	If you are looking to get rid of it PM me. Ill see what I can do. __________________ Shot placement is everything! I would rather take a round of 50BMG to the foot than a 22short to the base of the skull. all 26 of my guns are 45/70 govt, 357 mag, 22 or 12 ga... I believe in keeping it simple. Wish my wife did as well...

February 25, 2018, 12:42 AM	#12
armoredman Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 5,297	Whatever it is, it's neat.

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