Ideal adjustable cylinder mold for smooth side paper patch bullets. (antique)

[Woodbutcher]

 Dear Veral: There was available a cylinder type mould, at one time. I believe one version was called the Ideal mould. It didn't make lube groves, but I guess, was used for paper patch rifle bullets. Also some versions were adjustable for length of bullet. Seemed like such a good idea, at least to read about in old catalogs. Mention is made in one of Paul Matthews books about one he had.
 Why isn't this design available now? Other than not making lube groves, is there some disadvantage or problem with this type of mould, compared to a two piece mold? Or is it just a case of very limited market?
 I'm not trying to reinvent anything, lots of ideas and methods have dropped from use with the passage of time. Why this one?
                                                                                                               Thank you, Woodbutcher 
 

[Veral]

  They are heavy, expensive and cast slowly.  Most casters are far better off  purchasing what they want, as most guns are quite flexible so far as weight.   Because of this, if one wanted to load for several guns of one caliber it is better to just purchase two or three molds which will accomadate all the guns of interest.  Cost will be less for most users and production speed far faster.

[Woodbutcher]

Thank you Veral. Woodbutcher

[calvon]

As to the Lyman Ideal mold with that made a cylindrical slug. It has an adjustment screw that changed the length of the slug. That mold was made for the bullet swagers and was used to manufacture the cores. I made several thousand jacketed bullets containing cores made in one of these adjustable molds.

[.22-5-40]

Hello, Woodbutcher.  I believe the Ideal/Lyman mould you are refering to is the Perfection.  This was indeed made in both smooth and grease-groove styles.  They were adjustable via. a threaded plug thru bottom of mould...these were of course nose-pour moulds.  And..yes they are still availabe..from some custom makers..I have them in .22 & .40 paper-patch, as well as an original Ideal .25 grease groove style.

[srussell]

i might be slow on this. but how would you push  grooved bullet out of a cylindrical mold. i was under the impression that they did,nt open up

[Ranch13]

The mould the OP mentions was a base pour adjustable paper patch mould, and is discussed in many of the Ideal catalogs. Paper patch bullets don't use lube grooves, lube grooves defeat the purpose.
Those cylindrical onepiece moulds had a big draw back when the bullets hung up there really isn't a good way to get the slug out of the mould other than tap on the nose adjusting screw.
There are a number of modern mould makers that produce excellent quality adjustable nose pour paper patch blocks.

[calvon]

Reply to srussel:


My Lyman Ideal core mould is a two piece affair split in the middle like most bullet molds.