PDA

View Full Version : Mold opinions needed



Blackhawk45hunter
03-01-2011, 02:05 AM
I'm in the market for another mold for my 45 colt Blackhawk.
I already have a plinking bullet (Lee 452-200-rf) and I want an all around meat and potatoes hunting bullet. I'm torn between the 452-252-SWC and the C452-300-RF.

Eventually, I want a 452-360gr. Keith from mountain molds. I won't be able to afford it for a while, so for right now I'll get a Lee.

Which one do you guys think I should go with?

NHlever
03-01-2011, 08:56 AM
Between those two molds, I would definitely go with the Lee452-252-SWC. I have the 300 grain mold, and have found it to ba a specialized mold that produces a boolit that needs to be driven as fast as possible to stabilize well. It is a good boolit for no holds barred heavy duty use, but not so good for all around use. I find the various 250-260 grain boolits much more versitile. I have had good luck with the Lee 255-RFN, and the Lyman 452424 myself, but I'm sure others will work as well.

singleshot
03-01-2011, 09:10 AM
I've owned and hated the "looks" of the 252-SWC, but that darn boolit was a performer in everything it flew out of. It was more accurate than the TL-452-230-TC that I have now. The biggest difference for me was I don't size the TL boolit and I had to size the 252-SWC for it to chamber in the 1911. I shoot far more 45 acp than all else combined, so I also went from a 2 to 6 cavity mold. Eventually, I sold it to a guy that liked that look, and lubes/sizes all his bullets in a Star regardless.

If I were going to hunt deer or boar with a 45 acp (very close to a standard pressure 45 Colt), the 252-SWC would be the ticket. The 300 grain pill would be my choice for elk, moose, buffalo, etc. Not that it likely matters for a RBH, but the 300-RF has a much higher BC. If memory serves, I think it's over .3, while the 252-SWC is closer to .2...

HammerMTB
03-01-2011, 08:34 PM
I must agree with the posters above. I have the 300GC, and while it is a good boolit for heavy use, it has to be driven to near the limit to stabilize, so isn't for anything short of heavy loads.
I prefer an RF design to the SWC, so use the 255RF a lot. It is PB, which I prefer to a GC, and has that wide meplat which is what does the work in a pistol boolit. I got a 6-cav Lee mold so I could keep plenty of 'em around.