44. Cast bullets

Bristol Mt.Man · Apr 12, 2020

Have just cast about 1000 or so bullets, using a Lyman #429360 mold, I now read where many casters have had problems with accuracy when using these bullets. Great, I spent a lot of time and effort and now think I have wasted my time. Has anyone had experience with this mold? Are the results less than satisfactory? Any advise would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Texas10mm · Apr 12, 2020

Have you shot any of the bullets yet?

We have no idea how YOUR firearm will work with that bullet.

Duster340 · Apr 12, 2020

X2

Worse case, you can just melt them back down. No loss.. Just out a bit of your time.

troy fairweather · Apr 12, 2020

Shoot them, if they don't try powdercoating some. Then if they don't shoot melt them.

FROGO207 · Apr 12, 2020

I bet a couple coats of powder coating will work if the bullets are a problem. I would not give up just yet. Let us know how a couple of cylinders work. I am interested to hear how it goes.

frankmako · Apr 12, 2020

to good thing about making cast bullets is if your firearm does not like them you can melt them down and start over.

Dustbowl · Apr 12, 2020

Don’t believe everything you read on the internet. Except here, I’ve found pretty solid information here.

greyling22 · Apr 13, 2020

mark twain said he spent most of his time worrying about things that never happened. try them before you despair. That said, I loaded up 300 44 mag bullets one time before I realized they were undersized and I had chosen a poor powder for they round. They leaded, keyholed and had about a 2' grouping at 20 yds. You haven't lived until you have pulled 275 bullets apart.

forrest r · Apr 13, 2020

FWIW:

Had that mold years ago, didn't matter what I did couldn't get that bullet to shoot accurately. Tried anything from pure lead to strait lino-type, water dropped, air cooled. Tried .430", .431", .432" bullets along with 6 or 7 different lubes.

Tried them in a marlin 1895, 3 different s&w revolvers, a super Blackhawk & a couple different ca revolvers. Tried them in 44 spl cases & 44mag cases along with 10+ different powders. Played with the crimps & even tried seating the bullet so the crimp was above the front drive band/shoulder.

Nada

Bristol Mt.Man · Apr 13, 2020

forrest r said:
FWIW:

Had that mold years ago, didn't matter what I did couldn't get that bullet to shoot accurately. Tried anything from pure lead to strait lino-type, water dropped, air cooled. Tried .430", .431", .432" bullets along with 6 or 7 different lubes.

Tried them in a marlin 1895, 3 different s&w revolvers, a super Blackhawk & a couple different ca revolvers. Tried them in 44 spl cases & 44mag cases along with 10+ different powders. Played with the crimps & even tried seating the bullet so the crimp was above the front drive band/shoulder.

Nada

Thanks for your feedback. I will be looking for a replacement mold. Meanwhile I will load up some and play around with different loads just to see how bad they really are! Thanks.

Texas10mm · Apr 13, 2020

I've got a Lyman 429421 two cavity if you're interested.

whughett · Apr 13, 2020

Lyman doesn't list that bullet in their 3rd edition pistol and revolver hand book. What weight is it.? The heaviest in this addition is a 300 grain 429650.
I use the 429244 which is a 255 grain gas checked design. Gas checking gives one the ability to load up higher velocities or don’t gas check for plinking or target practice. I’ve have the 429421 a 245 grain bullet.

Texas10mm · Apr 13, 2020

Here's a great resource for Lyman molds. http://www.three-peaks.net/bullet_molds.htm

The 429360 is a 232 gr SWC.

My favorite 44 Mag boolit is the Ohaus 44-245K. It has a massive meplat.

MEHavey · Apr 13, 2020

Texas10mm said:
Have you shot any of the bullets yet?

Ahem.....

mdi · Apr 13, 2020

I did a little research and I too saw "bad" reviews. But none I read said how "bad". As many already mentioned, try them, "bad" may be acceptable to you and if they are "too bad", remelt. I have three "favorite" 44 bullet molds an older Lyman 429421, a Ranch Dog 240 RNFP and a Ranch Dog 265 RNFP. These three are the most accurate in my 5, 44 Magnums...

LUCKYDAWG13 · Apr 13, 2020

Texas10mm said:
I've got a Lyman 429421 two cavity if you're interested.

This is a proven mold design along with RCBS 240k they work

Swampman · Apr 14, 2020

forrest r said:
...Tried them in a marlin 1895...
Nada

Coulda told you that was gonna happen!

Texas10mm said:
I've got a Lyman 429421 two cavity if you're interested.

My absolute favorite .44 mold until THIS ONE came along.

$108.00 is an awesome deal for a solid brass, four cavity hollowpoint mold. I paid almost half again as much 3 or 4 years ago when I got mine.

If you've never used an MP mold, treat yourself. I love my old two cavity 429421, but since getting my MP four cavity, I've only used it once, and that was mostly for nostalgia.

LUCKYDAWG13 · Apr 14, 2020

MP molds are great

44. Cast bullets

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