Does anyone know what became of these?? They were great - just drop the zinc washer in the mold - no lube or sizing.

Lyman even had special pages in their 41st reloading manual.

I have some molds but no source of the washers.

I believe they went under year's ago. You could make some with a punch press and the right size die's

You might do some Internet searching. The washers have been available in recent years but I can't recall who made / distributed them. Good luck-

Swage Google is your friend.

Has anyone actually used those Zinc based bullets ? If so wjhat has been your expoereince ?

I remeber them from years past but never tried using them.

You'll get widely varying opinions on the effectiveness of the zinc washers. I've used them in handgun loads - sometimes with success, sometimes not. The process required to make a Prot-X-Bore bullet is more time-consuming than conventional bullet casting and, as you well know, the zinc washers may be difficult to find at times. Though the Prot-X-Bore bullet may be quite satisfactory in a particular handgun, it's hard to imagine any real advantage it would have over a well-fitted cast bullet in the same handgun.

Hensley and Gibbs made some moulds for those kinds of bullets. From time to time they show up on ebay. I just have to wonder if the folks that buy them really know what they are getting. They usually bring a pretty good price.
Not as high as some H&G moulds but certainly more than other brands.

FWIW

Welcome to CH Tool & Die / 4D Custom Die was able to provide me some of these zinc wash
ers in .357, you might give a call.

I remember back in the 50's and 60's when Jim Harvey was pushing those bullets, and I hope somebody will share some personal experiences with them. They were somewhat popular in the pre-jacketed bullet days, but I can't imagine they offer any advantages now.

HANDLOADER #253 (June, 2008) has an article that mentions some of the Harvey/ Lakeville Arms products.

Back in the day, I was a heavy user of gas checks (GC) on soft lead bullets which served much the same purpose as the washer. I do recall that there was some claim for a plating effect from the washer but I might be wrong.

When the half jacketed soft points came along I gradually stopped shooting soft lead and lost interest in both GC and washers. I think the trend changed to hard-cast for penetration rather than rapid expansion in hunting which accelerated the near demise of GC and zinc washers.

I seldom have the urge to really push a cast bullet any longer although I still have a 358156 mold and GC around.

__________________
Ipsis Rebus Dictantitbus

The big advantage was you could shoot them right from the mold - no sizing or lubing. That was important to me then, even more so now that I am running out of time!

I shot several thousand from a Mod 29 back in the 60's with never a problem. I did cast a little softer than suggested.

I grew up casting 38/357 using a Harvey mold (125grain) with the zincs. I shot them as a child/teen primarily in a 38/44 Outdoorsman and a registered .357, and they were ungodly accurate! For years I couldn't find the zinc washers so the mold sat unused, but I have found the people who bought the original Harvey manufacturing equipment and stock, and just ordered 2000 washers! Here is a link to learn: In simple terms but be aware that while it links to accurate phone numbers, the prices shown are ancient history. Just call and get what you need. Hawk Precision will sell the equipment to swage the bullets, but no longer stock molds like mine. The explanation of sherardizing a bore is a worthwhile education. Hope this helps.