MP 38 HBWC 358395 Question.

[USSR]

I have just ordered one of Mihec's MP 38 HBWC 358395 molds. When it arrives, I will be casting using it with a soft alloy consisting of 1% - 2% tin and little to no antimony. Regarding sizing and lubing with my Lyman 450 LubriSizer, my question is: Is anyone having a problem with the thin edges of the hollowbase compressing or collapsing when using a soft alloy in your lubrisizer? Thanks.

Don

[Harry O]

I have an old single cavity Ideal 358395. I also cast it soft and it is the most accurate wadcutter I have. There have been NO problems at all with sizing and lubing it to 0.358" or 0.359" (I did some experimenting -- decided to stay with 0.359").

[USSR]

Thanks Harry. I don't know what the hollowbase dimensions are for your Ideal mold, but here's what this MP mold's bullet dimensions look like:

You can see the small dimensions of the bullet at it's base.

Don

[Forrest r]

I have/use that same bullet for a couple years now.

To answer your question, no I've never had a problem with soft alloy and sizing bullets in a 450 sizer.

I've also had no problem running them thru a lee push thru sizer and tumble lubing them. I simply pc them anymore.

When you're casting a hb bullet you don't need to use a "soft" alloy. I typically use a 8bhn/10bhn alloy (100# batches of range scrap) to cast 14 different hb bullets I have molds for. I also water drop them to keep them from getting banged up. I have the Mihec:
32cal
35cal
41cal
44cal
45cal
versions of the 395 mold and have always used range scrap/water drop to cast bullets in any of them.
Just something to think about

[USSR]

Thanks for your reply, Forrest_r. The reason I asked is, I have found that sizing Mihec's hollowpoints made from a soft alloy will compress the edge of the hollowpoint somewhat. Of course the hollowbase bullets will have the hollowbase face down in the sizer, so that may make a difference.

Don