Mold number question

[Travelor]

Just got a new, old stock, Lyman bullet mold - a 311467 two cavity. Another Forum member was kind enough to sell me the mold and I am most appreciative!

The mold is stamped with the mold number with "AW" stamped following the number. I remember that Lyman could at one time provide over and undersized molds, but not familiar with "AW"a.

What does the "AW" indicate?

Thanks in advance.

George

[osteodoc08]

IIRC, it is a date code or some type of identifier that isn't "directly" related to the mold number

[georgerkahn]

Hi George!
There are several references on the Web to answer your query; the one which first comes to my mind is: http://www.castpics.net/subsite2/Classics/Lyman%20Mold%20Number%20FAQ.pdf
which should at least give you a start.
I, too, have a 311467 -- mine is a 2-cavity 180 gr. SPGC mould, using the Lyman #467 top punch; mine drop at 0.3085" -- 0.005" smaller than the listed 0.309" advertised bullet diameter. But, as we know, casting alloy and a few other factors do affect size.
A VERY nice mould you have! ENJOY!
George

[osteodoc08]

I knew I had read something on it somewhere. Thanks George.

[Markbo]

Hi George!
There are several references on the Web to answer your query; the one which first comes to my mind is: http://www.castpics.net/subsite2/Classics/Lyman%20Mold%20Number%20FAQ.pdf
which should at least give you a start.
I, too, have a 311467 -- mine is a 2-cavity 180 gr. SPGC mould, using the Lyman #467 top punch; mine drop at 0.3085" -- 0.005" smaller than the listed 0.309" advertised bullet diameter. But, as we know, casting alloy and a few other factors do affect size.
A VERY nice mould you have! ENJOY!
George

I have always been puzzled by these things. Doesnt the 311 &designate the anticipated diameter? And what is the 467? I see these numbers all the time but have never been able to ascertain what they mean.

[Mike W1]

Lyman Reply dated April 17, 1995

"In regard to your recent letter, it is not uncommon for several moulds of the same design to cast different weights or diameters. This could
be for a number of reasons such as cutter wear, cutter tolerances, machine operator technique, etc. Please keep in mind that it is
difficult to produce cutters that are identical and we change cutters every 200 to 400 cavities machined.

The letter that appears after the mould number is there to identify the cutter used for that mould. If two moulds are found that have the same letters, they will be the most alike. The letters on the lower left corner of the mould are the operators initials.

Your second mould is older than the first by about 10 years. Incidentally, mould number 452488 was dropped at the end of 1991."

[nvbirdman]

I have always been puzzled by these things. Doesnt the 311 &designate the anticipated diameter? And what is the 467? I see these numbers all the time but have never been able to ascertain what they mean.
Yes, the 311 is the nominal boolit diameter, and the 467 is simply the mould number. Lyman took the simple approach of numbering their moulds in sequence. Thus a 311041 was designed before the 311467, and the 429421 was designed before the 358429, or the 454424.

[Markbo]

Thank you birdman. Years of curiosity cleared up in seconds. ;)

[Hickory]

If you haven't read this, you should,
There is a lot of good information here.

http://www.lasc.us/Fryxell_Book_Contents.htm

[Markbo]

I have read many parts of it but in all honesty not all of it. There is a LOT of information there. :D

[GONRA]

GONRA sez (everybody must already know this?) back in the Good Olde Days -
Lyman number starting up with "U" are Undersized, those with "S" at the end are Specials.