Brass Original Type .36 & .44 Bullet Molds

[bedbugbilly]

O.K. - I'm somewhat of a traditionlist . . . what can I say.  I want to make a case for my Remy and Colt and I'm looking at getting one of the traditional brass bullet moles with the steel cut-off like were in cased sets.  EMF sells a .31, a .36 and a .44 which are supposed to be for their bp revolvers.  Has anyone had any experience with these molds to know if they cast a good ball (I'm not so much worried about the conical bit if they cast a good one, that would be a plus) and exactly what size ball they cast?  I guess I'm asking "do they work and if you have one, are you satisfied with it?  Many thanks!    

[Professor Marvel]

Greetings My Dear Billy
If you are thinking of these
http://www.emf-company.com/store/pc/BULLET-MOLDS-c222.htm

I can readily attest that I have owned and used one and it is good only for looking at. The balls are not really round, the cylindericals are rather pathetic, the halves often do not align properly at all, the brass handles heat so quickly even leather gloves will not suffice, and the sprue plate neither cuts the sprue nor does it stand up to use.

There are some much nicer versions  with wooden handles but they are not as easy to find...

yhs
prof marvel

[Wolfgang]

I bought several of the brass molds recently as they had them on sale.  Strickly for "looks" in cased pistols sets.  Not for use.   

[St. George]

Originals of any caliber will cast a workable ball or conical ball - but they were used sparingly at the time, since they heat up at an amazing rate - whether made of brass or iron.

(Iron seems to be the most commonly-found original on the collecor's market - indicating a much wider use during the period.)

Modern-made brass ones seem to get hotter a bit faster.

As soon as paper-wrapped 'cartridges' were available, they dominated the market.

By all means - get them for a cased set - but if you plan on casting more than a couple - get gloves, as well, and lower your expectations.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!