Lyman Mold ID?

[moodyholler]

I bought two Lyman molds yesterday. One is 42798(44-40?) and the other is 257231(?) I need a sprue plate and screw for it. WHat is it? Thanks, moodyholler

[kodiak1]

the 257231 mould should throw you a bullet of 88 Grains F.N. varmint load for 25-06, 257
Ken:castmine:

[floodgate]

I bought two Lyman molds yesterday. One is 42798(44-40?) and the other is 257231(?) I need a sprue plate and screw for it. WHat is it? Thanks, moodyholler

Moodyholler:

The #257231 was designed for the older .25 caliber cartridges like the .25-20 Single-Shot; introduced in 1903, it has Dr, Hudson's "dirt scraper" groove up front, a flat point and plain base. Dropped from the standard list in 1971, but available as special order through 1978. It was originally available in three lengths, with weights approximately 66 grs. (1 grease groove), 88 grs. (2 grooves) and 106 grs, (3 grooves). If a single cavity, it is probaby in the small blocks, and you can get a mould rebuild kit from Lyman Customer Service; since they changed the sprueplate pivot screw and washer a couple of times, you may have to swap parts (washers from the hardware store will do the trick) a bit to get it to work right.

The #42798 (also seen in earlier years and #42498 and other sizes in between) replicates the 205-grain factory .44WCF (.44-40) bullet; two grooves, small nose flat and plain base. It goes back to the beginning of the Ideal Mfg. Co. in 1884 and is still carried in the line. Single cavity on the small blocks, double cavity on the large ones; same advice on parts as above, but specify which size and cavity number you have.

Hope this helps.

floodgate

[moodyholler]

Thanks, Floodgate. It is a 3 grease groove bullet. I appreciate the info. It should work well in my 25-36 Marlin. moodyholler

[floodgate]

moodyholler:

I need to correct one mis-statement: It was Horace Kephart, not Dr. Hudson, who promoted the "dirt-scraper" groove at the base of the ogive on those turn-of-the-century Ideal bullet designs; it was intended to pick up the fouling from the previous shot and clear the way for the current one. Check your references, dum-dum!

floodgate

PS: The .25-36 should be a good application for that bullet. Marlin originally planned to "one-up" ("five-up") Wichester by designating their version ".25-40", but evidently decided that was too much of a good thing, and settled for the one-grain (smokeless) nominal advantage over the .25-35. Didn't take very well, though; you're lucky to have found an 1893 in that caliber. floodgate