25-20 bullet molds

[slk]

Is there any difference in the 25-20 single shot bullet mold and the 25-20 winchester. Would either be suitable for reloading either shell?

Steve

[Bad Ass Wallace]

No difference except finding the correct diameter boolit mould for your rifle by slugging the bore.

[John Boy]

BA .... great answer

[slk]

How would you know what diameter bullet the mold would cast? My rifle is .257. Should there be any markings on those old molds to tell you what diameter they are? I use a lyman mold now and it does great but was just wondering about those old antique ideal ones.

Steve

[Bad Ass Wallace]

How would you know what diameter bullet the mold would cast?

You slug the bore with a soft lead boolit, then use a micrometer to measure the diameter of the lead slug. My original Win '92 bore is 0.257".

I have an original Winchester mould that casts 0.260" and a Cast Bullet Engineering 80gn that casts 0.258". Both are put through the RCBS lube-sizer die which is 0.258".

[sharps4590]

How would you know what diameter bullet the mold would cast? My rifle is .257. Should there be any markings on those old molds to tell you what diameter they are? I use a lyman mold now and it does great but was just wondering about those old antique ideal ones.

Steve

They should be close but you won't know until you cast something with it.. Alloy will also make a slight difference in how large or small a mold casts

[slk]

You slug the bore with a soft lead boolit, then use a micrometer to measure the diameter of the lead slug. My original Win '92 bore is 0.257".

I have an original Winchester mould that casts 0.260" and a Cast Bullet Engineering 80gn that casts 0.258". Both are put through the RCBS lube-sizer die which is 0.258".

I know how to slug a barrel. My question was how can you tell what the mold will produce. I do not think they put thos numbers on the old antique ideal molds. I was just thinking it might be fun to own one of those old molds and try to cast some stuff with one. My sizer does my cast to .258 also.

Steve

[Wayne Smith]

The old Ideal and Lyman mold #'s were the 'size to' size - not the cast size. While they were standardized with Lyman #2 alloy makes a large difference in the actual size of the boolit. So a 257*** is a mold that will cast slightly large with Lyman #2 and should be sized to .257 according to their catalogs.

[slk]

I was jut thinking it might be fun to have one of those old ideal molds with the all steel construction, like a set of pliers. I bet those metal handles get hot after a few cast. The bigger question is what weight one might be. I am looking at one that says 25-20 SS. I am assuming that means single shot which was a larger shell casing. I would have no idea what weight it would be unless I cast a bullet which is impossible since I do not own the mold, and the owner does not have a clue.

Steve

[PositiveCaster]

An accurate length of the cavity and a description of the nose shape should allow someone to estimate the weight. It would not be exact but should be close.



.

[Wayne Smith]

Yes, they get hot fast. I use welder's gloves, but they were never intended for casting 100 or so at a time.

[slk]

Would be cool if you could find some slip on silicone handles that would fit. I just got through figuring out my lyman mold bullets which are like 65 g. Was trying to push them too fast. I finally am shooting 1/2" to 1" groups @ 50 yds.

Steve