accurate molds 36-160s vs. 36-160t

[Andrew Mason]

so, I am thinking of selling off my two molds that I currently have for 38/357's and getting a mold from tom at accurate molds.
I am thinking of a 4 or 5 cavity brass mold.
http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=36-160S-D.png

http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=36-160T-D.png

pretty much the same boolit,only difference is standard lube vs tumble lube

I am fan of tumble lube, and all but two of my molds are tumble lube, is there much of a traditional lube to tumble lube,
I have loaded up 150 rounds of .45acp with tumble lube boolits and had miminal leading from them,
but the .357 is a whole new animal, with higher pressures and velocities.


btw, the 2 molds I have now that I am planning on selling are a lyman 358429, and a
RCBS 358-162-swc

thank you
Andrew mason

[338RemUltraMag]

You can always tumble lube a standard boolit, and it affords the flexability of regular lube as well

[Andrew Mason]

That's a very good point,

[jmort]

I just got this from Tom/Accurate a couple weeks ago. It loads to exact SAAMI COAL. Have not had a chance to cast, waiting for handles, but I believe it is going to be perfect for me in either .38/.357 and should feed perfectly in a lever action.

http://accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=36-170T-D.png

[Andrew Mason]

jmortimer, i love that design, do you crimp it in the last lube grove or up higher over the nose?

[Lefty SRH]

Ive been eye-balling the 366-160S also, it would replace my Lyman 358311 as my competition bullet.

[jmort]

"jmortimer, i love that design, do you crimp it in the last lube grove or up higher over the nose?"

Last "lube" groove and you should be right at SAAMI spec. I love the design as well. Kudos to whoever designed it. It was love at first sight for me.

[Andrew Mason]

well, i have decided that i am going to go with the 360-160s.

i will either be able to tumble lube it, or traditional lube, and it has more bearing surface.


now the question.
should i get this baby in a 4 cavity brass? or 5 cavity aluminum?

i have never cast with brass, and have been wanting to try it for some time now. i just dont know what way o go with it.

[Lefty SRH]

I have both, both cast GREAT. I like brass but it gets heavy. Tom says its easy to warp a brass mold.....tough choice. Either way I doubt you will regret what you order. Let me know when you get some casted.

[44man]

I know it would take me weeks to choose one of Tom's molds. I never seen such a huge selection to look at.
Lube groove designs are no problem with any lube. I shoot a lot of TL boolits with regular lube so it just depends on your lube of choice.
I have begun to wonder if the TL with good lube shoots better then ones with one large GG???? I know they work.

[Andrew Mason]

well, i am deathly worried that i would end up warping a mold,
im not the most gentle person with my equipment,

but it shouldnt warp as long as i keep the casting temp down right?
with the alloy i use (isotope), i generaly cast at 750-800 IIRC.


also, next question.
what diameter should i order the mold?
my dream is to not have to size these bullets, but just cast lube, load, shoot.

[Lefty SRH]

If this is for revolver you would have to know your throat size. Then order the mold .001 smaller and specify your alloy to Tom.
Toms sight says the size tolerance of his molds are +.0015"-.000"

[Andrew Mason]

Well, here is the kicker,
This mold isn't for a revolver,
It's for many.
So, what is my best course of action?

Slug all of the cylinders and take a average?

Largest size?

[MikeS]

Andrew, you should slug your cylinders, then get a mould that's slightly bigger than the largest cylinder. As long as the ammo made with the larger diameter boolits will fully seat in the cylinder you should be ok. To do it the 'correct' way, if there's a large variation of diameters in your cylinder is to get a chamber reamer the same size as your largest chamber, and then ream all of them the same size. You should probably do this before buying your mould.

[Lefty SRH]

Well, here is the kicker,
This mold isn't for a revolver,
It's for many.
So, what is my best course of action?

Slug all of the cylinders and take a average?

Largest size?

Then you will have to size them. Unless the planets are aligned when the guns were bought and ALL the throats are the same size. Which I doubt happened.
I suggest ordering the mold the same size as the largest throat of the bunch. Toms sight says his size tolerance is +.0015"-.000"

[Andrew Mason]

okay.
i will get to slugging then.

thank you.