.44 mag Boolit Mold question

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Bula

Bula

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Scottsdale, AZ
I'm going to take the plunge and start casting my own. I'm looking into the Lee 6 cavity 240 gr Plain base SWC molds and I'm not sure if I should go with the gas checked version or not. I'm loading for a 4 5/8 Super blachawk. is it worth the extra step to gas check? OR, if I'm sizing .001 over cylinder/bore diameter, am I safe with the plain base? Any advice will be appreciated.
Thanks all.
 
If you're going to drive your cast bullets at full power, then I would suggest getting the gascheck mold. This will cut down on leading, and even eliminate it completely, depending on the sizing of the bullets, the lube you use, and the alloy.

If you decide not to drive the bullets at full power, you can always shoot them without the gaschecks. Some people think this can't be done, but it's just the same as shooting a bevel based bullet, which is what most of the commercial cast bullets are.

By starting with the gaschecked bullet mold, you would have the option of shooting the bullets either with, or without, the gaschecks.

Hope this helps.

Fred
 
Bula--I've been casting for over 35 years now for the .44 and .357 mag using plain base bullets with no problems. As long as you are using a good lube and the sizing is correct for the throats on the gun you will be fine. My cast loads for both guns run in the 1300 fps range when shooting magnums. I would recommend the slower powders for the mags ie. 296/h110/AA9/2400, I've had excellent results with all of them.
BTW there is nothing wrong with gas checks per se, I don't think they are needed in the handguns along with the extra step in sizing and expense. Welcome to the world of casting, be careful it's an addiction! Nick
 
I understand getting the gas check design for the reasons put forth and I agree to an extent, but if we are casting lead to save money we want to avoid the cost of the gas check. We can do this with proper lead alloy/hardness for the purpose for the most part. There is much info on hardness for the velocity desired, sizing, throat sizes for optimum accuracy and freedom from leading, etc. For a given gun/velocity our alloy can be too soft or too hard and give leading. We have to understand what is going on with the bullet when fired and what causes different types of leading. It is fun working those things out. The .44 mag is more of a challenge if you want max velocities, but it can be done without gas checks.
 
Thanks for the replies. I've decided to go with the gas checked molds. I like the idea of being able to shoot mild loads with no gas check and some max loads with the same GC'ed bullet. I Shoot .357 and .38's too. I plan on getting the gas checked 158 gr swc and shooting them w/out GC in .38 sp. i have yet to start casting but I'm eager to get going.
 
What sort of sizing press are you going to use?

Most all of them have a built in gass check seater. But none of them distribute lube like a STAR. Although the older ones are better, the ones from Magma still work fine -so I'm told. I have an older used one from Evilbay that I love. I went through an early Lyman 450 and used an RCBS. The STAR wins with it's ability to force lube through the pump action. Hardened dies are harder to find for them though. You can get specific dies from Magma that have the lube holes specifically placed for your bullet design. You'll be happy in the long run by spending a bit more money on the STAR than messing with the lesser models.

I'm sure there are guys that'll say the Lyman and RCBS work fine. -I'll bet that they've never used a STAR. :D

Be sure to sign up at: http://castboolits.gunloads.com That's all these guys do. Most will be quite helpful with your new hobby.

-Steve
 
My wife 'gifted' me a Lyman 4500 casting kit for Christmas. I'm a little skeptical because of the things i've read about that press on castboolits.com (great site), but i already own it and a few people like them. I may look into a Star later. I also want to purchase a Lee bottom pour pro-20 lb furnace and use the Lyman 10 lb dipper pot as back up to keep the 20 lb'er full. As for molds, i'm thinking LEE 6 cav. Any advice or tips are greatly appreciated. Thanks again.
 
I have some Lee 6cav molds. Other than STAR, RCBS or Hensley and Gibbs, (H&G are spendy), I really like my Lyman 4cav molds. They'll out last the Lee aluminum molds hands down. Keep an eye on CastBoolits seller section. A bunch of these guys yardsale or whatever and pick up stuff to sell to members at some pretty good prices. That's where I got my Lyman 450. Guy shipped it before I paid for it. Bunch of nice people there.

Be sure to pour/melt in a well ventilated area. Lead poisoning will make you think twice about this hobby. -I hear that the treatment is worse than the poison.

-Steve
 
I thought H&G went out of business years ago. I use a 50/50 mix of wheel weights/linotype which makes Lyman no 2 alloy I don't care for Lee molds I have 3 Redding blocks in 44 2 in 250 one gc one without and a 300gr gc my Redhawk loves. Cast from an RCBS bottom pour furnace and it's much better than the Lyman I have.
 
The rights to the H&G molds are now owned by Ballisti-cast. They make quite a few of the original designs, but I don't have any experience with their new molds, so I can't attest to the quality.

Hope this helps.

Fred
 
The old H&G molds show up on CastBoolits and Evilbay quite often. I've seen some still in the box and others smoked and stored properly.

I wasn't aware that someone was reproducing them.. That could be really good.

I won't knock the Lee molds. For the price, the multi cavity molds perform pretty well.

-Steve
 
I have both

A shooting buddy and I went in for 2 of the lee 6 cavity molds, one plain base, the other gas check in 240 gr. .44. I've been able to drive the plain base up to 1300 fps without any leading problems. Those were wheelweight alloy. Using the 450 Lyman sizer, and nra formula alox lube, they don't seem to lead. The gas check mold doesn't see much use!

As for the lee 6 cavity molds, for the price they work well. I now have four of them, 2 .44's, 1 200gr. 45 RFN, 1 9mm 125gr. They all produce useable bullets. The lee alox tumble lube also works well as does the pushthrough sizer, faster than the lyman 450!
 
Snuffy, what are you sizing the PB 240 lswc to and what are you shooting them from? just curious.
 
Bula, I sized them to .429. Actually they molded AT .429, very little sizing took place. I used the 450 sizer to apply the lube, the bullet was almost untouched by the sizer die.

The revolver is my Ruger SBH,( Super Black Hawk), 10.5 inch BBL. Powder used is Blu Dot, a couple grains under max.
 
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