I traded for a mould. Anyone know what it is for?

[Harry O]

It is an NEI semi-wadcutter that is 0.388" in diameter and weighs about 196gr. Looks a lot like a Keith SWC. Naturally, I thought about the 41 Long Colt, but this one does NOT have a hollow-base or a heel-base. It is a plain, flat base. I intend to try, but I doubt that it could slug up to seal a 0.400" groove diameter.

I had thought about having a custom 41LC made up once upon a time. It would have a 0.386" groove diameter and cylinder throat. (WHY? Just because.) Since it was an odd barrel diameter, the cost of having a barrel made up was prohibitive. It was going to be a lot more work than just buying a ready made barrel, cutting it off to length, and threading it.

I still have that as a goal, but need to find someone who can rebore and rifle a barrel for less than a couple of new guns.

Any ideas anyone?

[snake river marksman]

That sounds kind of like the 155gr .355 lead bullets I found laying around on the range. What kind of 9mm shoots 155gr bullets?

[wiljen]

That sounds kind of like the 155gr .355 lead bullets I found laying around on the range. What kind of 9mm shoots 155gr bullets?

not 9mm - 38 Super if I was guessing.

[HangFireW8]

It is an NEI semi-wadcutter that is 0.388" in diameter and weighs about 196gr.

Write or call NEI. I'm sure they know something about it.

-HF

[Ben]

At .388 dia., you can bet that it would not be shot out of any ones 9 mm or 38 Super.

[MT Gianni]

It could be for a 375 Win or 38-55 H&R. I heard that their bores ran large in the .380 range.

[snake river marksman]

I never looked, but I thought 38 super used 357 bullets. and these were roundnose. Baffles me....

[Trey45]

It is an NEI semi-wadcutter that is 0.388" in diameter and weighs about 196gr.


Where are ya'll getting this .355 .357 stuff from?

[Harry O]

Write or call NEI. I'm sure they know something about it.

-HF

I was talking with Walt Melander about 41LC moulds just a few days before he had a heart attack. No one there would know anything now. However, I did write the guy who may (or may not) have designed it, G.Crum. If the internet guys pointed me in the right direction, I hope to get an explanation from him. I still think it has something to do with the 41LC or I wouldn't have traded for it.

[wiljen]

I never looked, but I thought 38 super used 357 bullets. and these were roundnose. Baffles me....

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=1050174365

Look something like that?

[Doble Troble]

9 mm Largo?

[deltaenterprizes]

That sounds kind of like the 155gr .355 lead bullets I found laying around on the range. What kind of 9mm shoots 155gr bullets?

38 Super

[Landric]

I shoot Lyman 358311 boolits in my 9mm pistols. The run 164 grains with my alloy and are very pleasant to shoot.

[John J]

I was able to find your bullet mold over on the NEI web site and its a 388-198-PB
semi wadcutter...as to what cal gun you would shoot it from i couldent guess...

John J

[geargnasher]

Does it look like this?

Gear

[geargnasher]

Ahhh, John J, you beat me to it!

Gear

[Willbird]

Were there any of the Herters cartridges (powermags maybe ?) that used a bullet that size ?

[Harry O]

Does it look like this?

Gear

That is it. I don't think the Herter's was that size. The .401 was that size. The others they sold were standard .357 and .44 Magnums. I have looked through the "Cartridges of the World" and only found two cartridges that diameter. The 41 Long Colt (which I expected) and the 9.5 Turkish Mauser (and I doubt if it is for that). Even oversize 38-55's are smaller than this. Besides, it is light for that cartridge.

[Harry O]

The mould arrived today. It is impressive. The blocks are brass. It looks like it has never been heated. I have a few other brass moulds and every one of them is sweet casting.

I hope to cast some bullets up and try them in an unaltered 41LC. I don't know if it will work, but it should be an interesting experiment. Of course, the long term goal is to get a custom modified gun matched to the mould.

[Harry O]

I got a very nice letter from Gene Crum, the designer of the bullet mould I traded for. He said it was made for a custom revolver he had made. It had a 0.386" groove diameter and a 0.387" throat. The bullet cast at 0.388". It used 41LC cases. He said he loaded it to halfway between the .357 Mag and .44 Mag in power. I had thought about having such a gun built about 10-12 years ago, but the cost delayed me. Maybe it is time to dust off that idea again.

[OLPDon]

I got a very nice letter from Gene Crum, the designer of the bullet I had thought about having such a gun built about 10-12 years ago, but the cost delayed me. Maybe it is time to dust off that idea again.

Now that is what casting is all about find a mould first then get the matching gun.
Other wise a great custom mould would gather dust. Kind of like before I put something in the trash I ponder:confused: what could I use this for.
Don

[38-55]

That sounds like it would be a kick butt little boolit in a 38-55.. if it really casts up .388 projectiles.. I use lyman's 37583 ( 150gns as cast .383 dia as cast ) all the time in my new england arms/h&r 'cowboy' 38-55.. I'd bet it's to small for the .41.... heck sounds like it might just slide down the barrel and not seal at all....
Have fun and keep us inform as to how it works...
Stay safe
Calvin