DIY Heeled Bullet Mould?

[ofitg]

Took an old LEE 380-RB mould, swung the sprue cutter out of the way, and then drilled into the top of the blocks with a 9.0 mm bit -



This is what the mould cavity looks like now -



The bullet on the left was cast with the modified LEE mould, weighs 90 grains.

The heeled slug on the right was cast with an old Rapine 380100 mould.

 

[25cschaefer]

What are the advantages of a heeled bullet?

 

[ofitg]

In this instance, the heel permits one to seat .380-diameter slugs in a modern .38 cartridge case.

 

[swathdiver]

Anyone know where to get that exact Rapine mold?

 

[Jaymo]

I like it. A fomer co-worker of mine made a heeled bullet mold for a 20 gauge slug, for a gun he built.
It was a 1-1/2 ounce flat nosed slug. He also made a hollowpoint mold for it.
He made his own shells for it, too. It was a two piece shell, like a shotshell, except that his used lathe turned steel bases with copper pipe sweated onto the base, for the hull.
It used a heeled bullet and it hit HARD. It was a big, heavy bullpup with 3/8" thick barrel walls.
He moved to another state and sold it to someone who converted it to a muzzle loader, for legal reasons.
Imagine how hard a 20 gauge slug that is as heavy as a heavy 12 gauge slug hits.
It was a beast. Didn't kick hard, due to the weight.

Anyway, I may have to borrow your design.
That could be used to allow 9mm Makarov to be reloaded using cut down 9x19 brass.


I assume you did this to enable you to use cut down .38 Spl brass in a .38 S&W revolver.

 

[ofitg]

Jaymo, that's an interesting idea regarding the 9mm Makarov.....

I had been thinking more along the lines of loading .38 brass to use in .36 cartridge conversion revolvers.

With the proper size ball, and the appropriate drill bit, I suppose it could have quite an array of potential applications.

 

[arcticap]

Anyone know where to get that exact Rapine mold?

This is the last that I heard about Rapine molds after it was reported that the owner retired and went out of business, which ended up not being true.

I heard he just changed his phone no. Worth a try 215-679-6442 Rapine Molds Just called, He is still in business, just making molds to order. Making them at a slower pace. But making them. For $2 you can get a catalog from the Rapine Bullet Mould Mfg. Co, 9503 Landis Lane, East Greenville, Pennsylvania 18041, phone 215-679-6442. No more credit cards, "...add $8.50 SHI per item. Add .50 per item ther after...overage...will refund..." I don't precisely follow this either, so what he has a good variety of moulds available.

If the mold isn't being produced any longer then one of the best places to try to look for a used one would be on the Cast Boolits forum or possibly eBay.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/forum.php

 

[kBob]

I have to wonder that if the heel was real close to the diameter of your .36 BO C&B revolver if that might not work well in such. Sort of reminds me of the Albert's bullets Ball-et in a way. Maybe better than trying to center sprue marks by hand. Also might allow one to glue paper cartridge tubes to the base of the bullet better than with a normal ball.

I knew I should get right back to the mower.....

-kBob

 

[swathdiver]

This is the last that I heard about Rapine molds after it was reported that the owner retired and went out of business, which ended up not being true...

Much obliged!