old Ideal Mfg. Co. mold 360271

[tinsmith]

At my local pawn shop, I just purchased an antique Ideal Mfg. Co. single cavity mold. The block and handle are one piece. The marking on the outside is 360271 130. The mold cavity is in great shape and the fit-up and sprue plate are also very good. I'm anxious to try casting some bullets from this mold. The profile of the boolit looks like a shortened semi-wadcutter and I would guess the 130 in the mold number is the weight.
What was this mold designed to fit? I may assume 38 S&W?
Any idea how old this mold might be?

I'll give it a try for short range target loads out of my 38 Special. Any suggested loads?

Thanks,
Jeff

[GLL]

The 360271 was designed for .38 Special at 150 grains but was also furnished in a narrow base-band version at 130 grains.
It is listed and illustrated in my # 33 (1939), #34 (1942), and #36 (1949) catalogs. Your one-piece example is older.
The mold is apparently referenced in Handbook #27 (1926)

Jerry

[Bret4207]

I have the same mould in the later style blocks. I bought mine for my Smith Perfected Model 38 S+W. Sadly, it drops at about .359, not the .362+ I was hoping for. It's a nice little design though and will certainly work in a 38 Special.

[Guesser]

I have that mold and mine drops at .361+, I size to .360 got my S&W Regulation Police. Works well.

[beagle]

I have two of the #271s and they both cast .360 according to my notes. These are the seperate moulds not integral with the handles. One's a SC and the other a DC. Good little bullet but I don't use them much. Have too many other moulds that I like better but they're good shooters./beagle

[tinsmith]

Thanks for the quick replys! Got up real early before it got too hot and cast a handful. With my W-W + tin alloy, the boolit drops out at .361 dia. and weighs 119 grains. That little mold does work nice. Good sprue cut off and easy drop from the mold. Wish all my modern molds did as well! I'll shoot a few with a light Bullseye charge out of my 38 Spec. I'm guessing they will print low due to the light weight. I may trade it off for something a little heavier.
Jeff