Molds and loads

[troy fairweather]

The tumble lube grove bullets work nice for powder coating.

 

[brewer12345]

but 1 handle is all you need for all the 6 molds?

Yes, you can switch handles between molds. I have a few sets of handles and, um, more than a few molds.

To give you an idea of how little the price of a mold can matter, my most used mold is the Lee 452-200-SWC 6 banger. I have cast in excess of 5000 bullets with this thing. Still casts very nicely. Once I have it up to proper heat it just rains bullets, with the only limit on production being keeping the pot full. I have an extra copy or two of this mold simply because the bullet is really accurate and I would be pretty upset if the Lee I have been using dies without being able to replace it.

I also collect the Lyman 4 cavity iron molds. Those suckers are heavy, but once you get them going they produce beautifully. I decided to cast up a bunch of .490 round ball with one of these. Once I got the mold heated up, it was death by casting. Over 700 balls later, I decided to stop. That is quite a long time of muzzleloader shooting (years).

 

[Mark_Mark]

Yes, you can switch handles between molds. I have a few sets of handles and, um, more than a few molds.

To give you an idea of how little the price of a mold can matter, my most used mold is the Lee 452-200-SWC 6 banger. I have cast in excess of 5000 bullets with this thing. Still casts very nicely. Once I have it up to proper heat it just rains bullets, with the only limit on production being keeping the pot full. I have an extra copy or two of this mold simply because the bullet is really accurate and I would be pretty upset if the Lee I have been using dies without being able to replace it.

I also collect the Lyman 4 cavity iron molds. Those suckers are heavy, but once you get them going they produce beautifully. I decided to cast up a bunch of .490 round ball with one of these. Once I got the mold heated up, it was death by casting. Over 700 balls later, I decided to stop. That is quite a long time of muzzleloader shooting (years).

that good! let me check the price!

 

[Mark_Mark]

Yes, you can switch handles between molds. I have a few sets of handles and, um, more than a few molds.

To give you an idea of how little the price of a mold can matter, my most used mold is the Lee 452-200-SWC 6 banger. I have cast in excess of 5000 bullets with this thing. Still casts very nicely. Once I have it up to proper heat it just rains bullets, with the only limit on production being keeping the pot full. I have an extra copy or two of this mold simply because the bullet is really accurate and I would be pretty upset if the Lee I have been using dies without being able to replace it.

I also collect the Lyman 4 cavity iron molds. Those suckers are heavy, but once you get them going they produce beautifully. I decided to cast up a bunch of .490 round ball with one of these. Once I got the mold heated up, it was death by casting. Over 700 balls later, I decided to stop. That is quite a long time of muzzleloader shooting (years).

this one?

 

[brewer12345]

this one?
View attachment 1061023

Yes. This is Lee's version of the classic H&G 68 mold design. The only caution I will give you is that not every gun feeds these well and the OAL is pretty critical to feeding. If you don't want to deal with that stuff, the 230 TC design has a reputation for feeding really well in everything and is an accurate design.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Yes. This is Lee's version of the classic H&G 68 mold design. The only caution I will give you is that not every gun feeds these well and the OAL is pretty critical to feeding. If you don't want to deal with that stuff, the 230 TC design has a reputation for feeding really well in everything and is an accurate design.

that’s the one I’ll get!!! thanks

 

[AJC1]

that’s the one I’ll get!!! thanks

I have both an the first 230 you posted is a much better functioning bullet. My kimber does feed the hg68 Clone, but your playing the mag game. The 230 just runs.

 

[brewer12345]

I have both an the first 230 you posted is a much better functioning bullet. My kimber does feed the hg68 Clone, but your playing the mag game. The 230 just runs.

Yeah. I think the SWC is more accurate, but the TC is no slouch and it feeds easily.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I have both an the first 230 you posted is a much better functioning bullet. My kimber does feed the hg68 Clone, but your playing the mag game. The 230 just runs.

then I’ll get them both!

I’m just going to get the 6 mold for it all since I have to buy the handle

 

[brewer12345]

then I’ll get them both!

I’m just going to get the 6 mold for it all since I have to buy the handle

The other thing you need is a pair of safety glasses, solid leather gloves, and an apron is a good idea as well. You want to cast outdoors with long sleeves and a pair of pants, closed toe shoes.

 

[Mark_Mark]

The other thing you need is a pair of safety glasses, solid leather gloves, and an apron is a good idea as well. You want to cast outdoors with long sleeves and a pair of pants, closed toe shoes.

I’m a safety natzi ! COVERED

 

[brewer12345]

I’m a safety natzi ! COVERED

Glad to hear it. I've been happy to have safety gear on plenty of times.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Glad to hear it. I've been happy to have safety gear on plenty of times.

100 % safely jerk, I was peppered at the trap field and was luck not to lose an eye. After that, I see something off, I’m calling you out

I also carry taking out the trash… SAFETY FIRST

 

[Highland Lofts]

Yesterday I bought the only two Lee six handle molds that cabelas had yesterday.

 

[kcofohio]

Yesterday I bought the only two Lee six handle molds that cabelas had yesterday.

Those can also be used with some other brands of molds. The one Arsenal mold set I have, mates with the handles.

 

[kcofohio]

The other thing you need is a pair of safety glasses, solid leather gloves, and an apron is a good idea as well. You want to cast outdoors with long sleeves and a pair of pants, closed toe shoes.

I have one pair of thinner leather gloves used for tig welding, for pouring. And a thicker pair for handling hot ingots and trays.

 

[kcofohio]

I’m a safety natzi ! COVERED

It's worth mentioning often, avoid putting wet/damp lead and alloys in a hot pot.

 

[Highland Lofts]

Last week I melted down 450 pounds of scrap lead in my five quart Dutch Oven. I had the pot about 3/4 full around 45 pounds in it melted and added a few three pound oval sinkers with swivel attachments on watch end. Seamed dry as could be.
Put several in the pot, put the cover on % walked away. A minute or two later I heard a pop, went to see what happened and the cover was blown off and a bunch of lead on the ground all around the casting pot.
There must of been some water in one of the sinkers that erupted. You never know what's inside of the lead. No matter how much you respect the lead and how careful you are some thing can go wrong at any time.
I always wear long pants, a think long sleeve sweater, safety glasses, a thin set of work gloves and a set of welding gloves and I will be buying a face shield.

-------------------------- -----

The Lee handles I bought will fit other mold made by other companies.
I will be buying handles for the molds I will be using, they were $24.99 a piece.

 

[Bfh_auto]

but 1 handle is all you need for all the 6 molds?

That's my motto. I have two sets of handles and 4 molds. I try to cast enough in one go to not change handles often.

 

[Highland Lofts]

I would rather spend the extra $25 per mold for extra handles and not have to switch them back & forth.
I will be getting set up to do reloading classes and will have casting as part of the reloading classes for those interested.
Ten sets of molds will only be another $250 & sales tax for the handles.

 

[Barbaroja]

I would rather spend the extra $25 per mold for extra handles and not have to switch them back & forth.
I will be getting set up to do reloading classes and will have casting as part of the reloading classes for those interested.
Ten sets of molds will only be another $250 & sales tax for the handles.

I’m with you. I don’t yet have enough handles for all my molds and it’s a big pain in the butt!

 

[lightman]

Bullet Lube;

For you guys new to casting or those thinking about getting into casting. The CastBoolit site has a whole section on bullet lube. There are lots of recipes for homemade lube. There is also a member that sells lube. Google White Label Lube or LsStuff. They are much cheaper than places like Midway and offer several choices. They are close enough to me that I pick my order up in person.

 

[Highland Lofts]

I’m with you. I don’t yet have enough handles for all my molds and it’s a big pain in the butt!

I'm the same way with dies. I buy extra dies and have a extra set for all of my calibers.
If I get a bent stem, a stuck case or any other problem I have another set of dies all set up so I can keep going and deal with the problem at a later time.

For 38/357 - 44spl & 44mag - 32short/32long/32H&R mag & 327 Federal magnum I have seperate dies for all of them instead of readjusting them for the different calibers.
I also use the Hornaday Lock n Load system, just drop the die in, give it a quarter of a turn & go instead of screwing the dies in & out.

When I get my Dillon 650 & 550 and my Hornaday AP presses I'll have seperate tool heads for what ever calibers I will Load with them.
It's only money, you get what you pay for most of the time. I mostly buy used so if or when I sell the stuff I should recoup what ever I paid for the equipment.

I just bought the Dillion RL550 for $500.

 

[dannyd]

this one?
View attachment 1061023

Used the mould today

 

[blue32]

I don't think I've ever had a mold cast to prescribed weight. Then again I can count the number of times I've used something like Lyman #2 or straight lino. The closest was a Lee round ball mold that had a half grain variance to within stated weight. From my experience, unless the variance exceeds 2.5% of stated weight I generally do not adjust load data.