Re-cutting Bullet Mould

[PJ Hardtack]

Anyone out there who can re-cut a bullet mould for me?

I like my Lyman 457193/420 gr mould, but I'd like it better if it carried more lube. Is it a big deal to cut the grooves a little deeper?

[major]

You would actualy have to add metal to the mold to get the lube groove deeper.

[PJ Hardtack]

?

I may be just as far ahead to order a different mould.

[Coal Creek Griff]

If you haven't tried Accurate Molds, I highly recommend them (him). Tom could take that design and make it with deeper grooves, making it just how you want it.  I have several of his molds and I don't think that I could be satisfied with anything less.

CC Griff

[dusty texian]

must agree with CCG the accurate moulds are great and the service is better , if that can be . Well worth the money Tom will make you the bullet mould you want , at a very reasonable price . ,,,DT

[Drydock]

Another vote for Accurate.  Great moulds, great to do business with.

[greyhawk]

You would actualy have to add metal to the mold to get the lube groove deeper.

What major says ----- think about it fer a minute

[Professor Marvel]

You would actualy have to add metal to the mold to get the lube groove deeper.

What major says ----- think about it fer a minute

Yes, folks,  the large rifle mold  457193/420 , looks like this



any cutting would enlarge the driving bands to a wider band, decreasing the amount of lube...
or a greater diameter thus making the bullet to large in diameter.

One Cannot cut the lube grooves deeper. I tried once ....  turned a .45 pistol mold into a .50 

to increase the amount of lube, one would start with a smaller mold, say a .452, and cut the driving bands a larger diameter,
such as .457.

i was going to try to post an image, but its waaaaay too hard today....

yhs
prof marvel

[kwilliams1876]

keep your eye out for the same mold number......but find a old Ideal mold before Lyman.  They usually have the large grease grooves you are after. I have slowly been acquiring many of these older molds that where designed for black powder.
best
kw

[PJ Hardtack]

This has been suggested to me before. Pity Lyman got away from the old BP pattern.

If more moulds were so cut today, we'd see less of a need for lube cookies in long barrels.

keep your eye out for the same mold number......but find a old Ideal mold before Lyman.  They usually have the large grease grooves you are after. I have slowly been acquiring many of these older molds that where designed for black powder.
best
kw

[PJ Hardtack]

I checked their web site. Looks like a good product line. Two that caught my eye are: 46-525 and 46-455 M. Large grease grooves and the 46-525s grooves are square bottomed for max lube.

Right now when I cast 520 gr 45-70 bullets, I'm using  two single cavity Lyman 457125 moulds. I have to keep the bullets sorted as I cast. One mold throws consistently good quality bullets once up to temp, t'other (a newer mould) has to be frequently smoked and needs to be very hot. I alternate to allow cooling time but production is still painstakingly slow.

I'm thinking a double cavity Accurate mould would be an asset. Question is - brass or aluminum?

I don't think I'd mind the weight of brass and I've had bad experience with Lee aluminum moulds, and not because I abused them. I tend to pamper my moulds, cleaning and oiling them after every session. No, I don't oil aluminum moulds.

So who is using what with what results?

[dusty texian]

PJ    All 6 Accurate moulds that Tom has made for me are aluminum , I would like to try a brass mould just because they look great , but have to say the aluminum moulds work great for me .,,,DT

[greyhawk]

I checked their web site. Looks like a good product line. Two that caught my eye are: 46-525 and 46-455 M. Large grease grooves and the 46-525s grooves are square bottomed for max lube.

Right now when I cast 520 gr 45-70 bullets, I'm using  two single cavity Lyman 457125 moulds. I have to keep the bullets sorted as I cast. One mold throws consistently good quality bullets once up to temp, t'other (a newer mould) has to be frequently smoked and needs to be very hot. I alternate to allow cooling time but production is still painstakingly slow.

I'm thinking a double cavity Accurate mould would be an asset. Question is - brass or aluminum?

I don't think I'd mind the weight of brass and I've had bad experience with Lee aluminum moulds, and not because I abused them. I tend to pamper my moulds, cleaning and oiling them after every session. No, I don't oil aluminum moulds.

PJ
What bad experience with Lee molds?  I have a number of em and really like them - Their quality control went in the toilet one time a few years back (457-500-3R) but they fixed it --- we get four LEE molds for the price of one RCBS or whatever out here - and you blokes can buy em for 20 bucks - at that level of price difference there bound to be some occasional problems I guess . I particularly like the fast start up with Al and its much easier on the wrist - those double brass and iron molds are heavy! 

So who is using what with what results?

[Coal Creek Griff]

All of my molds from Accurate Molds are aluminum and they work great. I've never tried a brass mold. Accurate Molds are so much better than Lee as well as being heftier. I have ONLY good things to say about Accurate Molds.

Keep in mind that they're custom molds. I've used his stock designs, had him make alterations of his current designs and had him help me design my own, all for the same price. Tom is just great to work with.

CC Griff

[PJ Hardtack]

greyhawk

My experience with Lee moulds is limited to their .50 calibre 450 gr and a Minie mould. Neither produced the quality bullets I get from steel moulds.

Likewise their dies. Only ones I have any use for is the 44-40 FCD and the universal decapping die.

[greyhawk]

greyhawk

My experience with Lee moulds is limited to their .50 calibre 450 gr and a Minie mould. Neither produced the quality bullets I get from steel moulds.

Likewise their dies. Only ones I have any use for is the 44-40 FCD and the universal decapping die.

PJ
I love that universal decapper die - saves gettin blackpowder crud all over the proper dies and its worked great on a variety of cases - bought mine in Cabelas - North Platte last trip I made - dont have the FCD - happy with normal crimp - proper boolits with nice crimp grooves help a lot. I have three sets of LEE dies but prefer my RCBS ones - nothing I can put my finger on really - familiarity maybe ? I started out with RCBS.  I did have a couple LEE molds with problems - emailed them about it - they were happy to replace them no charge - BUT - by time I sent em back freight cost was more than the mold - my message was ya got a problem - fix it - they did and the subsequent mold 459-500-3R - is as good as they get.  I broke the old mold down and salvaged the handles for another.  Some of the comparisons made round here are a bit unfair I think - LEE at twenty bucks versus a custom mold for five times the money - there needs to be a serious difference somewhere! 

[Drydock]

I have several Accurate molds, all aluminum, they are great IMHO.  He's my go to maker now that NEI is gone.  I also have an old Rapine M1881 aluminum mold that I'll never get rid of as well. 

I must say,  some of Lee's latest 2 cavity molds, with the steel conical alignment pins, have been very good indeed.  I've got a new one of the 515450 .50-70 military bullet molds, and it drops great, consistent, concentric bullets.

[major]

I have had real good results with my Seco mold by Redding.  Higher cost than a Lee but a much better product.

[Yeso Bill]

I have two double cavity Accurate molds.  One in aluminum and the other brass.  Both are excellent molds and of course the brass is quite a bit heavier.  I was thinking about ordering another mold today but I haven't been able to decide between the aluminum or brass. 

Billy

[PJ Hardtack]

Been looking at the Accurate list.

What's to choose between the 46-525 P and the 46-455 M?