.540 RB mold

[byronw999]

Hey all...

Wasn't sure whether to post this here or in the Molds area.. Anyway was a .540 RB mold ever made, and who made them? I've got a Jack Garner Flinter I just bought used (Curly maple stocks are a BEAUTIFUL thing!) and the .535 RB even with a .020 patch arent real tight..

I bought what was advertised on Auction Arms as an RCBS .540 RB mold last week.. Cast about 30 today and thought they looked a bit puny... Cast at .529 and it says 529 right on the side of the mold... Trying to get a refund on that....

Thanks in advance!
Byron

[garbear]

check out midwayusa.



Garbear

[Maven]

Byron, How accurate are the .535" RB's +.020"? How about the RCBS .529" RB's with the same patch? Have you experimented with the powder charge too? Have you tried casting with WW's rather than Pb, as you'll get a slight increase in diameter (but a slight decrease in weight as well)? As for mold diameters, Lyman and Dixie may have once offered something other than .530" or .535", but the others, e.g., Rapine, NEI may have done so as an extra fee custom job.

Suggestions: Try to do all testing with a given charge of BP, say 80gr. FFg. If neither RB diameter -> accurate results (say 5 touching @ 50 yd. from a rest), then it's time to examine the crown for dings (easily corrected with 320 grit paper, a bit of oil, and your thumb) and/or going to a thicker patch. I'm thinking .022", which can be had in denim (100% cotton) as well as other fabrics. Also, ask Bullshop and Masscaster, two of our sponsors whether they stock RB's which are slightly larger than .535". If none of this works, you'll need to measure the bore and consider a custom RB mold. Jeff Tanner makes them and is very reasonably priced: www.jt-bullet-moulds.co.uk Hope this helps!

[mooman76]

So you finally bought it. I seen the mould on there for awhile as I was looking for a mould for my 54 and I wondered if it was actually .540 or not. If he had advertized it as a 529 I would have bought it long ago but I have since bought one. Not sure how laping a RB mould would do but you could try laming a Lee aluminum 535 mould to make it larger.

[northmn]

I checked Track of the Wolf and their precast/swaged RB jump from 535 to 550. Turner may make one for you, but before I would spend a lot on a mold I would play with the 535. Sometimes I get patching from fabric stores that can work quite well such as cotton duck or cotton drill. A yard costs about as much as one of those little bags of precut patches. You could also beagle the mold with a bit of aluminum duct tape.

DP

[10 ga]

I'd cast some WW rb, be little bigger. And/or double patch with a thin inside a thick patch. Cheaper than a new mold if it works. Don't cost much to try it. 10

[mooman76]

Try a piece of denim for a patch. That stuff is pretty thick.

[smoked turkey]

+1 on the thicker patching material. I have used denim with good success.

[byronw999]

Thanks all! I have range officer duty all day Tuesday and I'll get some denim beforehand and experiment with the various patches...

THe guy I got the mold from said send it back for a full refund including shipping so at least it worked out..

[masscaster]

Hi byronw999,
We cast a .550 RB here @ Forefather's Casting. Also a .557456 Minie.
Click on the Shop link below if you think they might work for you.

Jeff

[longbow]

If you really want a 0.540" ball then try Jeff Tanner here:

http://www.jt-bullet-moulds.co.uk/moulds.htm

He will make whatever diameter you want.

Longbow

[byronw999]

Didnt have much time to shoot Tuesday but did try the denim patching .. Seemed to work fine... Will be shooting again on Sunday..

[Fredx10sen]

If you really want a 0.540" ball then try Jeff Tanner here:

http://www.jt-bullet-moulds.co.uk/moulds.htm

He will make whatever diameter you want.

Longbow

+1 on Jeff Tanner. He made two different size molds for my cannon. They work great.

[barefooter175]

Rapine made a lot of unusual size moulds. I think a .540 was available from him.

James