38-55 mold

[tbryan]

I am thinking about buying a new mold for my 1907 94 38-55 . I have been using an old Ideal single cavity mold that cast a 250 grain flatnose boolit. I get excellent accuracy with it , around two to two and a half inches at 100 yards , but it takes forever to cast a good supply of rounds. I had my rifle relined by a man named Taylor up in I believe Washington state. He did a beautiful job. My mold has a wider flat nose than the Lyman 380681 style , other than that they appear similar. Has anyone here used this mold and if so how did it do accuracy wise ? Any other suggestions ?

[John Boy]

I get excellent accuracy with it , around two to two and a half inches at 100 yards

You might want to use the Acurrate Mold Clone of the Ideal 275166 ...
I get consistent MOA groups at 100 - 200 and 300 yds. Also, the bullet shoots out to 500m and back down to 200m with good patterns on the silhouettes using 42gr of BP

[Chill Wills]

Did the Taylor reline use a 38 cal liner or a modern 375 cal liner? Knowing this would help you make an accurate choice of mold.

[tbryan]

I requested that he use the original bore diameter of .38 . I size my bullets to .380 and it seems to be a good fit. I believe the bore worked out to be .379 when it was all said and done. He did a remarkable job. Unless you are looking hard for it , it is unnoticeable . The rifle has it's original set triggers, and it works like a champ.
John, what rifle are you using ? that is remarkable shooting. I will look at the Accurate molds. I don't have my old Ideal mold at the house , and I don't remember the no. on it.

[Chill Wills]

Hmmm - wow, a set trigger 1894 38-55. There are only a few of those. Now that is one I would enjoy having!
I assume it is a rifle.? Not carbine...

[tbryan]

Yes. It's a 26 inch octagon bbl. Found it in a pawn shop a couple of years ago. It was in a pile of guns that were not working and had been pulled. They sold it to me for $150 . I took it home and took it apart , found it was assembled wrong. I put it back together right and it worked like a champ. The bore was gone , and after six months of trying everything I could , cleaning, different sized bullets , and loads I gave up. Off it went to Taylors. The outside is mostly patina , with no pitting , and the wood is worn but no chips or cracks. I put a Lyman tang sight on it and a globe front. It's as fun to shoot as anything else I own.

[Chill Wills]

Good for you! Good find and I am glad you are enjoying it! You saved a great old rifle too!