Casting 454 round balls

[Noz]

I using two semi worn out 2 hole Lee molds.

would really be nice to have a six holer.

[hellgate]

Noz,
I used my LEE two holer for quite a few years (since 1993) and waited for over 2 years for Dick Dastardly to come out with his 6 holer gang mold so I started with a wish list on eBay for a 4 or 6 cavity .454 mold and finally got one made years ago by Lyman. The Lyman 4 banger I got for about $80 does leave a bit more of a sprue than the LEEs. Dick at Big Lube just announced he's finally getting his 6 holers so I would check out biglube.com and get one of his. I just finally gave up and went for a used 4 banger one and now I can crank out 5-600 in a 3 hour period. I'm happy. The Big Lube mold is aluminum and not as heavy or tiring as the Lyman. I know one thing, I'll never wear that big, heavy Lyman out but it might wear ME out!

[Dick Dastardly]

I now have two each, .457", .454" and .380" round ball molds here.  I tested the .457" round ball molds last week and they checked out fine so I ordered a batch.  They are to be shipped to me by Friday this week.

Tomorrow, I'll be test casting the .454" and .380" round ball molds.  If they check out, and I expect them to, I'll be ordering a batch of each.  Production time is about two weeks.

These are SIX CAVITY molds machined on the existing Big Lube®LLC platform.  They will sell for the same price, $89, as the other Big Lube®LLC molds except for the big DD 45-70 Mk-III 500 grain SIX CAVITY molds which sells for $199.  All Big Lube®LLC molds fit the same STAINLESS STEEL main handle sets.

So, finally, at last, the wait is over.  Production Big Lube®LLC SIX CAVITY round ball molds will be available to order on my web site by the end of the month.

Thank you all for your patience.

DD-MDA

[Noz]

I'd take one of the 454 prototypes you have.

[Dick Dastardly]

It's yours Noz, soon as I prove them out.  I'll set one aside with your name on it.

Happy casting!

DD-MDA

[Noz]

I'm waiting with bated breath.

Unplugged the furnace.  I have enough for a couple of shoots.

[Dick Dastardly]

They checked out right on the money Noz.  I have one for reference and one to sell.  I put your name on it.  You can order it on my web site.  Simply order the DD 32-80 and write that you want the .454" round ball mold and not the DD 32-80.  I sold the .457" RB mold just minutes ago.

I have placed an order for .380", .454" and .457" RB molds and expect them to be shipped around the end of the month.

DD-MDA

[Noz]

Thank You , Sir.

[Blackpowder Burn]

One of the 0.454's better have my name on it when it gets there! 

Dick, I assume you'll post a notice here when they arrive so we'll know to go place our orders?

[Dick Dastardly]

As soon as they arrive here I'll post notice where ever I'm allowed to do so.  I'll also be adding them to my web site at that time.

DD-MDA

[john boy]

...except for the big DD 45-70 Mk-III 500 grain SIX CAVITY molds which sells for $199

(Posted on this thread)

The design mission for this bullet is match winning 1000 yard BPCR shooting where the very highest degree of consistency and accuracy are an absolute demand.

http://www.biglube.com/BulletMolds.aspx?ItemID=ee9296e2-2e6e-4f1c-b5cf-53935ced106c
Dick,are these words on your website wishful thinking? Suppose you or from anyone other than me that tried to get it to group at 600yds that I posted here ... provided 1000yd targets to support your statement?  Ranch 13 with tray I sent him, couldn't get the bullet to group either ...

Distance to  the NRA Fclass target was 500 yds, not a one hit the paper,a couple did find the edges of the mounting board . I did fire 3 of the 3fexpress rounds at the bathtub beside the target stand. First round went just over, second round hit low and skipped in 3rd shot struck center but didn't hit square, was tipping badly according to the mark it left.

I sold this single cavity mold too because IMO it is strictly with multiple charges a 100yd bullet at best  ...

[Dick Dastardly]

So JB,

Just what does your post have to do with round balls?  Or, you just tryin' to throw some mud again?

DD-MDA

[john boy]

Just what does your post have to do with round balls?  Or, you just tryin' to throw some mud again?

They will sell for the same price, $89, as the other Big Lube®LLC molds except for the big DD 45-70 Mk-III 500 grain SIX CAVITY molds which sells for $199.

Dick, what does the price of the MK-III have to do with price of the round ball mold?  Not throwing any mud Dick.  Stay on the topic.  If you can digress from the subject for another one of your products - the MK-III, so can I and even quote words about the bullet from your website.  I don't write your "music" - I just play it back in the key of C ... with targets to back it up

As for your wording "throw some mud again" sure would like to see you post quotes.

[Springfield Slim]

"These are SIX CAVITY molds machined on the existing Big Lube®LLC platform.  They will sell for the same price, $89, as the other Big Lube®LLC molds EXCEPT for the big DD 45-70 Mk-III 500 grain SIX CAVITY molds which sells for $199."
   Makes perfect sense to me, John Boy. The extra capitalization added was mine to help you understand. And DD, I still want one of each when available, so I'll be watching closely to this forum.

[Dick Dastardly]

Howdy Slim,

One each will be set aside for you soon as they arrive.  My new manufacturer is very good and has the tooling now.  Delivery is expected around the end of this month.

Thank you,

DD-MDA

[Noz]

Got the mold, smoked it, poured one ball, dumped it. Poured two balls, dumped them, pored 3, 4, 5, 6 dumped them.
Poured six, inspected. Perfect.
Less than an hour later I had filled a 14 oz coffee can with 600+ perfect round balls.
What a winner!
Thanks, Dick.

[Springfield Slim]

We are so jealous!

[john boy]

Less than an hour later I had filled a 14 oz coffee can with 600+ perfect round balls.

Noz, what is the Bell Curve weight percentages of the balls that you cast with the 6 new gang mold?
*  I only have a couple multi cavity molds that cast the bullets within the same weight variance of 0.5gr
*  Granted, shooting C&B bullets at CAS distances, a weight variance within 0.5gr is not an issue like BPCR.  But a close Bell Curve is a determination of mold cavity cut quality in conjunction the caster's casting technique
http://www.ctmuzzleloaders.com/ctml_experiments/ballweight/ballwt.html

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=7&ved=0CEkQFjAG&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.usi.edu%2Fscience%2Fengineering%2Fmoldfixture%2FMakingBulletMolds.doc&ei=PpE3ULCcDuPL6wG4z4EQ&usg=AFQjCNGgN6rCOYmdIQQxT346v6n_x3lnoA&sig2=aTHqt4vl-acErtzVRqm4HA

PS: I have 24 multi cavity molds and so far cast from 9 of them - 22 LR to 43 Spanish.  Is the reason why the best Bell Curve can be produced from single cavity molds

[Lefty Dude]

FWIW;

I have a Lee dual cavity .451' mold that cast a .451" ball and the second cavity cast .454".

You pay for what you get, a Bird mold. Cheeep-cheeep-cheeep ! LOL

[Noz]

John boy, I have no idea and really don't care. The balls are round as shown by a roll test on a perfectly flat surface, they are large enough in diameter that they fit my chambers as other 454 balls have done. The mold fills nicely and releases well.

I'm happy!