Old Moulds

[Kraschenbirn]

Was tinkering around the shop earlier in the week and noticed that I was getting down to the bottom of my bin of 358156s. Now, I haven't cast any of those in, probably, 10 or 12 years. Last time I did a run, I cast around 2500-3000 and have been lube/sizing just what I needed for reloading. For plinking/practice, I shoot mostly DEWCs cast from straight WWs so the SWCs tend to stay on the shelf longer.

Last night, cleaning and smoking that old Lyman DC mould brought on a bit of nostalgia 'cause it was the first mould I bought when I began casting for cartridge guns. I've no idea how many boolits it's cast in the last 35+ years but it's been a considerable number...and it wasn't new when I bought it, either.

Fired up the pot and, after a couple or three pours to bring the cavities up to temp, I ran off a little over 500 in just a couple of hours with no...as in ZERO!...rejects. Open those old blocks and the boolits drop free without even a shake. Over the weekend, will probably cast enough to refill the bin and put the mould back in the cabinet. Considering my age and the current political climate, though, this could easily be the last time it's ever used for its intended purpose and that thought kinda saddens me.

[Castnshoot]

That's why I'm getting into casting and reloading now! It seems that moulds get better with usage, hope that's the case with me!

[Buckshot]

..............Using those good old moulds then passing them on is "Generational Connectedness" :-)

................Buckshot

[rugerman1]

A couple weeks ago,I did some casting with an old 6-cavity, potbelly, Hensley & Gibbs #17, 38-158-RN . According to Toms website (http://hgmould.gunloads.com/casting/history.jpg),the newest it coulda been made was the late 1940's. After minimal cleaning and prep work,I proceeded to cast about 2000 boolits in about 2 hours! 8-)
The whole time I was casting,I was wondering what this old mould has seen in its lifetime
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q299/sawrm1/Oct312008002.jpg

http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q299/sawrm1/Oct312008001.jpg

[FN in MT]

So much of this boils down to..... That was a time when people CARED about what they produced, had some personal responsibility (read;work ethic) and the big one....PRIDE in their work.

Any of those qualities are tough to find these days.

FN in MT

[Lucky Joe]

So much of this boils down to..... That was a time when people CARED about what they produced, had some personal responsibility (read;work ethic) and the big one....PRIDE in their work.

Any of those qualities are tough to find these days.

FN in MT

Quality in craftsmanship is a good point. Taking care of the molds once purchased is another reason they are still around. That seems to be sliding a bit too.