Ideal Mold Handles?

[dsbock]

Hello All,

Just getting into bullet casting and finally joined the forum.

I acquired an old Ideal mold in a box-lot of reloading stuff. The mold number is 731 for a round-nose flat-point .45 (.457) bullet. Unfortunately, it didn't come with handles.

Are there any current handles available that will fit this mold?

Thanks.

David

[gandydancer]

Howdy disbock. and welcome. you will enjoy it here. and no on your handles. you have to find a set of Lyman/Ideal SMALL BULLET MOLD HANDLES it took me about eight weeks to find a set. I even sent my lyman/ideal mould I got off of ebay back to lyman because I belived there was something wrong with it. nope. I just needed the old type handles for it and they are no longer made. and the only way you can tell them apart is if you have each set in your hands.or measure them when the metel ends are parallel I can get you measurements sundy my handles are at the other house. Tom

[dsbock]

Tom,

Thanks for the reply. I was afraid that would be the case.

I would appreciate the measurements when you get a chance and I'll start looking on ebay. Are there any specific signs I should look for in the pictures or descriptions?

Thanks again.

David

[gandydancer]

what I will do when I get the measurements I will place photo's of the one you need & the one you don't need. PS when you know what you need post on here on I WANT TO BUY. I think you will have better luck. Tom

[mooman76]

Someone is selling them here all the time. Just like gandydancer said, place a request in the WTB section here and I would be surprised if you didn't have a response same day. The Lee 6 cavity handles should fit as is or maybe with a slight modification. They fir the Lyman single and double moulds and RCBS with a little ground off. Ideal became Lyman years ago and the moulds have changed slightly over the years. Some of the really old Ideal moulds didn't even have removable handles.

[raingauge]

Will these handles fit?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/lyman-ideal-bullet-mould-38-357-wad-cutter-/270885128345?pt=Vintage_Hunting&hash=item3f12030899

[canyon-ghost]

You are probably looking for Small,Single Cavity handles. You can find them from Lyman or order replacement handles from Kal:

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=56554

[midnight]

I think your best bet would be to try large gun shows. I once bought an old Ideal 360271 just to get the handles. On ebay uou may find one but you are competing with the whole world for it so the price necessarily will be high. At a gun show you will probably be the only one interested. The downside is you will probably have to go to a lot of gun shows. What's wrong with that? You'll buy a couple dozen other other gun related things and maybe a few guns before you find your handles. Sounds good to me. I'll take some pictures of the mold and small handles and edit them in here so you have an idea of what they look like.

Bob

[Pigslayer]

Lots of small single cavity handles on e-bay.

[dsbock]

what I will do when I get the measurements I will place photo's of the one you need & the one you don't need. PS when you know what you need post on here on I WANT TO BUY. I think you will have better luck. Tom

Tom,

That sounds like a good plan. Thanks.


Someone is selling them here all the time. Just like gandydancer said, place a request in the WTB section here and I would be surprised if you didn't have a response same day. The Lee 6 cavity handles should fit as is or maybe with a slight modification. They fit the Lyman single and double moulds and RCBS with a little ground off. Ideal became Lyman years ago and the moulds have changed slightly over the years. Some of the really old Ideal moulds didn't even have removable handles.

I'll try a WTB listing here first, if that doesn't work after a reasonable amount of time, I'll look into your suggestion of the Lee 6 cavity handles. Thanks.


Will these handles fit?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/lyman-ideal-bullet-mould-38-357-wad-cutter-/270885128345?pt=Vintage_Hunting&hash=item3f12030899

I already had those on my watch list before you even posted your reply. ;) I have no problem buying handles with another mold, although I would prefer one for a caliber and bullet style I shoot. Thanks.


You are probably looking for Small,Single Cavity handles. You can find them from Lyman or order replacement handles from Kal:

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=56554

I'm going to try and get actual Ideal handles first. If that doesn't work out, I'll look into other options like the link above. Thanks.


I think your best bet would be to try large gun shows. I once bought an old Ideal 360271 just to get the handles. On ebay you may find one but you are competing with the whole world for it so the price necessarily will be high. At a gun show you will probably be the only one interested. The downside is you will probably have to go to a lot of gun shows. What's wrong with that? You'll buy a couple dozen other other gun related things and maybe a few guns before you find your handles. Sounds good to me. I'll take some pictures of the mold and small handles and edit them in here so you have an idea of what they look like.

Bob

Bob,

As I mentioned above, I expect I'll have to get handles with a mold to get the right handles. That's fine with me. As to going to gun shows, I volunteer with the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association. Part of that is working the booth at gun shows. Next month I'll be at the big Albany show and in April, I'll be at the big Syracuse show. I always bring a want list and some dedicated cash.

Which brings up another question, what should I expect to pay for an appropriate pair of Ideal handles?

Thanks for all the responses.

David

[GLL]

David:

Welcome to the Forum and to the world of casting !

If you pay the shipping I will send you a set so you can get started right away !
Double check the mold number !
If you are interested drop me a PM with your address.

Jerry

[dsbock]

David:

Welcome to the Forum and to the world of casting !

If you pay the shipping I will send you a set so you can get started right away !
Double check the mold number !
If you are interested drop me a PM with your address.

Jerry

Jerry,

Thank you for your very generous offer.

A PM has been sent.

Thank you.

David

[gandydancer]

dsbock sorry to take so long. the handle are on the left is the one you need measures .675 the handle on the right measures .798. http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_66914f09fc9f07bde.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=3345)

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_66914f09fcc583f08.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=3346) (798)

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_66914f09fcdf3f716.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=3347) (675)

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_66914f09fcf8c4225.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=3348) (left-small handle-right large handle)

[dsbock]

Gandydancer,

Thanks for the pictures. Which dimension of the handles should I be measuring: width; thickness; hole diameter? Based on the value and the pictures, I'm assuming the blade width. But I know what happens when I make an assumption. ;)

I'm getting together with a friend tomorrow to learn the basics of casting hands on.

There will be much learning, but hopefully no burning. :o

David