What do you think of this find?

[LeadHead72]

A few days ago I just happened across a guy selling this Lyman 313631. As a fan of .32 revolvers it immediately caught my eye and I was able to obtain it for a fair price. From doing a little searching it seems that this model is not very common and commands pretty good money when you can find one, not to mention the fact that this one arrived brand new in the original box!
Now my dilemma is whether or not to preserve its condition as new and find another mould for production. It's tempting to use it (especially since a brand new first-year (1984) Ruger Single Six .32 H&R Mag was just put on layway yesterday, coincidentally, and I have three .327 Federals to feed), but GC moulds are not necessarily at the top of my "fun" list.
What to do?

[HWooldridge]

You don’t have to use a gas check - cast some and see how they shoot.

[Winger Ed.]

Preserve its condition?
If you're not going to sell it or start your own museum, --- why bother?
I'd use it and be happy I got a good deal on it.

Last year I bought a Lyman .38 DEWC, with handles, almost new and in the box for $40. off ebay.
It's the old school one everyone wants now for use in a S&W model 52, and that came in the orange cardboard box.

I've cast up a couple thousand boolits with it, and if its worth less now because of it---
Since I don't plan to sell it any time soon, I don't care.

[deces]

[sukivel]

My guns and molds would be offended if they didn’t get used…


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[Winger Ed.]

Used ones seem to hold their value quite well if they aren't dinged up.
Sure, new antique ones are hard to find, but usually don't sell for much, if any more than used ones in good shape.

During the height of the shortage, I sold a few used molds on S&S for almost what a new one cost,,, if any were in stock.
I told the buyers that if they didn't like them--- send 'em back for a full refund.
Nobody did.

[metricmonkeywrench]

Simple choice for me… I don’t buy anything I don’t intend to use.

But that’s just my opinion. I’m in the use and enjoy camp. The current generation doesn’t seem to be interested in rolling their own.

[Mk42gunner]

I've never pushed a gaschecked boolit through any of my .32's, either S&W Long or H&R Magnum, but if I had that mold it would be very tempting.

I don't think I have ever read of anyone having a bad time using that particular bullet.

Robert

[MrWolf]

Simple choice for me… I don’t buy anything I don’t intend to use.

But that’s just my opinion. I’m in the use and enjoy camp. The current generation doesn’t seem to be interested in rolling their own.

Same here. Enjoy it now because you can't when your gone.

[Larry Gibson]

Use it. ThT was designed specifically for the 32 H&R. I use mine for top end 32 H&R loads in my original run Ruger SS and Contender. It also is an excellent performer in other 30 and 31 caliber cartridges, especially the 30 Carbine in M1s.

[LeadHead72]

Has anyone here pushed this bullet very fast in a .327 Federal?

[Larry Gibson]

Has anyone here pushed this bullet very fast in a .327 Federal?

Not in the 327 but out of my M1 Carbine I run it at 1950 fps.

[LeadHead72]

Wow, that's probably faster than I'd ever attempt in the .327, thank you.

[lightload]

Use the mold!

[rintinglen]

12.8 grains H-110 in a 327 in my Single 7--very accurate. Wish I owned the mold, but I had to give it back after casting a couple pounds of boolits, then the owner moved before I could bamboozle it out of him.

[LeadHead72]

12.8 grains H-110 in a 327 in my Single 7--very accurate. Wish I owned the mold, but I had to give it back after casting a couple pounds of boolits, then the owner moved before I could bamboozle it out of him.

Good info, thank you.

[405grain]

Put that mold to work! I've got molds that I've been using for over 40 years and they cast bullets just as good today as they did when new. Guns & ammo were intended to go on adventures with you, not to sit in a glass case. In fact, you should do MORE than just start casting with it. Try powder coating with those bullets. Get a push through sizer and some gas checks and make some really excellent bullets. Develop loads that are accurate in your gun for either plinking, target shooting, hunting, etc. Try different alloys for different applications, etc. The whole point of casting and reloading is that it should be fun. The first time that you take your new gun to the range with the ammo that you made yourself you'll forget all about those molds being "new", and from then on you'll think about them as being "useful".

[oley55]

my guns and molds would be offended if they didn’t get used…

^^^this^^^

[Wag]

Use it. Wear it out!

--Wag--

[gwpercle]

Same here. Enjoy it now because you can't when your gone.

And ... they tell me you can't take them with you !

I'm going to have a little talk with the Good Lord ... I suspect there might be a shooting range in Heaven and if so , there are a few moulds I would like to take with me ... maybe he'll give me a pass to bring them with me .
Gary