Mold comparisons.

[AJC1]

Some things are discussed and often in relative terms. I have never seen actual mold weights but I can tell a world of difference in the handle. These are a few of my molds and I purposely weighed them with handles because that's how they are used. I love the results of a brass mold but lord they are heavy. I'm interested in other manufacturers and sizes like a brass 4 cavity and some of the gang molds it takes a body builder to use. I have one rcbs steel mold and I will update when I dig it out. Lee 2 cavity, Lee 6 cavity, noe 2 cavity aluminum, noe 2 cavity brass.

 

[kcofohio]

I haven't weighed any molds and their handles. But a non aluminum mold definitely makes a difference or how long a casting session goes. I use a dipper when I cast, and the aluminum 2 cavity molds are in the featherweight class.

 

[jmorris]

I don’t use handles much.

 

[AJC1]

I don’t use handles much.

Based on what I imagine a 4 cavity brass or steel mold ways your machine would be the only way.

 

[Y-T71]

I haven't weighed any of my molds either but, the Lee 6 cavity ones cand get a little heavy after a long session.

My latest is a .452 255gr RF.

After an hour of use with those 6 big cavities filled with lead my wrists start aching, although I have arthritis and carpal tunnel issues anyway so it's not very surprising.

 

[AJC1]

I haven't weighed any of my molds either but, the Lee 6 cavity ones cand get a little heavy after a long session.

My latest is a .452 255gr RF.

After an hour of use with those 6 big cavities filled with lead my wrists start aching, although I have arthritis and carpal tunnel issues anyway so it's not very surprising.

Maybe try a bowling brace while casting. It stops being fun when it hurts

 

[reddog81]

Maybe try a bowling brace while casting. It stops being fun when it hurts

Here's the one I use - Mueller Sports Medicine Green Fitted Wrist Brace. It works well for casting.

 

[Y-T71]

Maybe try a bowling brace while casting. It stops being fun when it hurts

Not a bad idea...

Things like this, while I have been experiencing them, haven't really bothered me until fairly recently.

I have 2 other 6 cavity Lee molds, a .356 120 gr TC and a .30 cal 170gr FP, but I haven't needed to cast any of those for awhile.

I'm sure I sound "wimpy" but I'm here to you that it does get fatiguing with that weight hanging out at the end of your arm for more than an hour or two.

It's a b@#$% getting old fellas.

 

[AJC1]

Not a bad idea...

Things like this, while I have been experiencing them, haven't really bothered me until fairly recently.

I have 2 other 6 cavity Lee molds, a .356 120 gr TC and a .30 cal 170gr FP, but I haven't needed to cast any of those for awhile.

I'm sure I sound "wimpy" but I'm here to you that it does get fatiguing with that weight hanging out at the end of your arm for more than an hour or two.

It's a b@#$% getting old fellas.

Notice I didn't harass but tried to provide a reasonable solution. Our group is small, and as much as I like to give grief, getting your knowledge is far more important.

 

[Soonerpesek]

It's a b@#$% getting old fellas.

Not OLD……………….EXPERIENCED is the word your looking for…!!……..maybe SEASONED is better…!

 

[highlander 5]

My assortment of blocks are either steel/iron and aluminum,had a block made of brass from MP as much as I liked it it was a killer on my wrists. Blocks from Accurate,Nei,Noe,Arsenal,RCBS,LBT and Saeco.

 

[AJC1]

My assortment of blocks are either steel/iron and aluminum,had a block made of brass from MP as much as I liked it it was a killer on my wrists. Blocks from Accurate,Nei,Noe,Arsenal,RCBS,LBT and Saeco.

2 or 4? I love brass but I can't imagine running anything over 2.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Not OLD……………….EXPERIENCED is the word your looking for…!!……..maybe SEASONED is better…!

Any chef will tell you: “seasoned” means salty.

Yup.

 

[highlander 5]

2 or 4? I love brass but I can't imagine running anything over 2.

4 cavity,have had carpel tunnel surgery on both hands add in a touch of arthritis and sessions at the casting pot fatigue sets in in short order.

 

[41 Mag]

Most of mine are of the 4C brass or steel. I try to set up so that I'm pouring around 20# of one bullet as needed, and then pour up two to three calibers.

The fun starts when I get to the HG 6C molds. Luckily I don't run through a ton of those particular bullets in a short time frame. I do however use the 130, 68 & 78 quite a bit, but I also have a 4C version of each as a backup.

While they are all heavy, they are awesome to pour with and drop bullets out like rain. I have a 10C #50 and #258 that I have used, but absolutely do not prefer. They require a shelf to set on as well as a plywood rest to slide out and dump from. The short'ish handles just don't give enough leverage to help out much and I use them so rarely I haven't seen fit to extend any.

I guess just being in the upper end of the half century mark and being an industrial mechanic most of my life helps out with these molds. At some point, all of this stuff and a ton more will go to my grandsons who can decide for themselves what to do with them.

 

[mdi]

Not OLD……………….EXPERIENCED is the word your looking for…!!……..maybe SEASONED is better…!

My age is not really equal to my experience. I have noticed my 10 lb. ingots are much heavier than they were 15 years ago. My 1911 is getting harder and harder to rack. My 12 gauge pump seems much heavier than when I got it, and my Garand isn't as steady on my shoulder as it once was. A few weeks ago I put lighter springs in my 2" 357 because the DA trigger pull was getting longer and heavier. My experiences with these tells my brain "Yep, do it this way", but my body is often, "Nope, not today"...

 

[AJC1]

4 cavity,have had carpel tunnel surgery on both hands add in a touch of arthritis and sessions at the casting pot fatigue sets in in short order.

Well your tuffer than I, because I'm not planning on getting any 4s or above. Maybe I can delay the onset of problems that hurt...

 

[WeekendReloader]

I only have the LEE molds to compare. I much prefer the 6-cavity over the 2-cavity molds. It takes so much more time and effort to make a pile of bullets when using the 2-cavity mold. When using the 6-cavity molds, at the end of the day I have a big pile of bullets to admire.

 

[AJC1]

I only have the LEE molds to compare. I much prefer the 6-cavity over the 2-cavity molds. It takes so much more time and effort to make a pile of bullets when using the 2-cavity mold. When using the 6-cavity molds, at the end of the day I have a big pile of bullets to admire.

One could say that the 6 cavity Lee is much better for an entire list of reasons including thermal stability.