Lyman #357443

[res45]

Went by a local shop this morning and picked up a couple moulds the owner picked up in a buyout deal.  He had about six different ones but only two for 38/357.  I got two different moulds and one also had a set of handles,I gave $50 out the door for the lot. The moulds need a little cleaning but nothing that will affect the quality of the bullets they cast.  

One of the moulds is the Lyman #358477 150 gr. SWC the other one #357443 160 gr. is no longer in production I think it was dropped from the lineup around 1960 from what I can find out,it was the first mould that Ideal/Lyman designed for the 38/357 mag. in the mid 1930's so I got a little history in the mold and the previous owner left the last bullets he cast in the mold.

All my Lyman manuals have data past and present for the #358477 but nothing on the #357443 anyone have any experience with the 443 bullet?

Here is a pic of one of the old cast from each mould.  No telling how old they are.

[Dand]

If the bullets actually cast out and lubed weigh 160, I'd think you would be ok to begin at starting loads for other 158 gr cast bullets and work up carefully. The one consideration I'd look at is if it is significantly longer than 158 cast and does it seat deeper in the case - then be careful. Or start with loads for 170 gr cast bullets and work up carefully.

[res45]

Thanks Dand,I cast about 100 of each yesterday just to have a few to experiment with both bullets dropped .359 .360 and 4 grs. over the Lyman stated weight using my WW alloy.  For the 160 three lube groove bullet I going to use the 170 gr. data and for the 150 SWC I going to use the 158 gr. date starting loads and work up. 

I need to pick me up one of those Lee .358 push through sizer see what it sizing to and and hone it out to .359 if need be,my Ruger BH like cast bullets right at .359 the best.  I got a good deal on two Lyman molds and a pair of hands and there threw great bullets once I found the temp the molds liked best.  After I figured what the 160 mold liked and started there with the 150 gr. SWC mold I didn't even have a cull,first and last drops came out perfect.