38-55 Bullet Identification Help...

[BCB]

I have a few of these bullets and I would like to know your opinion as to which mold may have cast them:

Meplat: 0.230"
Length: 0.976"
Diameter: 0.3765"
Weight: 262 grains (BHN 11 alloy) And it is gas check design.

It looks like either the RCBS 37-250-FN or the Lyman 375449.

Any thoughts?

Thanks...BCB

[JudgeBAC]

Post some photos of the bullets and I am sure someone on this forum will be able to identify them.

[TedH]

From your measurements, it is definitely not the Lyman. Your measurements are very close to my RCBS 37-250. Number of lube grooves would be another clue. The Lyman has 4, the RCBS 3 lube grooves. RCBS has a crimp groove, Lyman does not. A picture would be nice too.

[BCB]

I'll try to get a picture posted later today. They are "old" boolits and the surface is dark-colored and the bands are slightly rounded from wear against each other during movement. But a picture might help--maybe later. Thanks so far...BCB

[BCB]

Hopefully this picture will post...They are fairly old boolits and I hope the picture quality is good enough. Thanks...BCB

[MtGun44]

I'd guess commercial swaged boolits. They just have that look about them,
shallow lube grooves, narrow crimp groove. Doesn't look cast to me.

Bill

[BCB]

MtGun44,
That's an interesting suggestion--I don't know anything about swaging boolits. I tested the hardness with a Saeco tester and they do test at BHN of 11. Do they swage boolits at that hardness? Thanks for your reply...BCB

[Jon K]

Looks like the RCBS 37-250 to me. Had that mould, but it didn't cast big enough for my 38-55. Sold it as fast as I bought it, just like the Saeco #373 OK for a .375 bore groove diameter, but not a .379.
Definitley not a Lyman mould.

Jon

[TedH]

I'm 99% certain those are from the RCBS 37-250.

Here's one of mine from the RCBS 37-250

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f157/TedH/100_1104.jpg