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bugle1up
10-26-2008, 05:59 PM
I am new to this site and was hoping maybe some of you could give me a hand identifying some bullet moulds and equipment that was left to me by my grandfathers estated. I have 3 bullet moulds with handles and also Cramer bullet size and lube press. I am a avid shooter and reloader but never have dabbled in the bullet making end of it.
Here are the moulds I have. Hope maybe someone can help me identifying.
The first is a Ideal 357446.

Second one has a hole in the bottom that looks like a pin could be for a hallow point it is Ideal 358156,

The third is a double mould Cramer No. 26 HP and the other looks like either No. 12 HP or No. A2 HP. The cramer mould looks like it makes two different caliber bullets. One is definatly larger than the other.

Doubt I will ever use any of this but would like to know what I have.
Thanks!

mooman76
10-26-2008, 06:23 PM
If you go to classic stickies it has some info in mould identification. Generally the hollow point moulds(yes the one with the hole is for a pin for a HP) are harder to come by and run more. If you can't find the pin there are somer people here that can help you out by making one!

TAWILDCATT
10-26-2008, 06:39 PM
get midsouthshooters cat.it has picturs of lee/rcbs/lyman/redding bullets
357 would be 38 cal:coffee:[smilie=1:

John Boy
10-28-2008, 09:40 PM
Ideal 357446 - 162gr but in an old Ideal Handbook, depending on alloy, the weight ranges from 153 to 160.
357 Mag and 38 Spl
http://www.three-peaks.net/images/357446_162g.gif
"The most popular bullet for the 357 Magnum. Can also be used in the 38 Spl"

Ideal 358156 - 155gr GC (357 Mag - 38 Spl - 38-44 - 35 Rem)
http://www.three-peaks.net/images/358156_155g.gif
Designed by Ray Thompson ... I designed these bullets with gas checks primarily for the elimination of leading in Magnum loads.

Powder type and charges are listed in the Ideal Handbook

Cramer No. 26 HP ... ?

Heavy lead
10-28-2008, 09:57 PM
Don't know much about the Cramer. I've used both the other, but not in hp form. I really like the 358446, I don't think they cut these anymore, I sold mine, but only cause it was single cavity. I also have shot a lot of the 358156 gas checked in both the 38 and 357. Try it, you might like it. It's a lot of fun.

onceabull
10-28-2008, 10:41 PM
Bugle1up:the "Castpics"site shows a least a goodly part of Carl Cramer's line..#25 looks very similar to Mr.Keith's design for the old 38/44 heavy duty loads.. #12 would be similar to lyman's 357446,and 2A is a flat point design for the 45 colt. If yours has the self -contained Hollow point pin mechanism that Mr.Cramer used you may well have something of considerable collector interest.. enjoy, Onceabull

bugle1up
10-29-2008, 01:00 PM
Thanks for all the great information. This is all a big help.

oncebull - The cramer mold does have the self-contained Hallow point mechinism. Guess the only thing that has me a bit confused it the doublr mold has stamped #26HP and this definatly looks to be 357/38 caliber size. Under good light and with my reading glasses on I can see the other one is stamped no. A2HP, the hole is much smaller than the #26 and using a set of calipers it only seems to measure around a .240. I have done a lot of searching but can not find any information about the A2HP