Ballisti-cast # 643

[seagiant]

Hi,
I've been eyeing this mold lately it is a 173 gr. supposedly true Keith style swc for the 357 mag. Does anyone have this mold or know anything about it ? how is the quality of Ballisti-cast? They don't even have a picture of their molds on the web sight? Any opinions on this would be appreciated!

Also would this bullit at 173 grains vs a 150 gr. bullit give me better performance at longer ranges? ie. 357mag Contender??? Thanks!

[AnthonyB]

I can't comment on the Ballisti-cast design, but my favorite 357 boolit is the original Keith 358429 with the wide drive bands. Lyman changed the design at least a few times over the years, but the old ones are easily available on eBay. I have this one in HP and four cavity variety, and the design gets my vote for best 357 Magnum boolit for my uses. Tony

[seagiant]

Hi Tony,
Yes I've looked at that bullet it is one of the one's that Creeker has at Dry Creek Bullets. I've heard nothing but good about this bullit but to be honest I HATE E-Bay! I know I probably miss some good deals but auctions drive me crazy! Go figure! Thanks!

[AKtinman]

I haven't owned a Ballisti-Cast, but their #643 should be the same design as the H&G #43.

You can see a photo of the H&G #43 at:

http://users2.ev1.net/~eastus1/molds/43.JPG

The H&G #43 is very accurate!

[SGD]

I've got a 4 cavity 643. I shoot it in a Dan Wesson and had to trim my cases to get it to fit in the cylinder. With 14 grains of H110 it is real accurate. Ballisticast makes some really high quality molds. Here is the not so great pic on there web page:
http://www.ballisti-cast.com/Bullet%20Designs%20Page%204.htm

[seagiant]

Hi,
Thanks for the info gentlemen,I haven't got a lot of response on this I was hoping to maybe find someone that might have a mold for sale but I guess with the Ballisti-cast at twice the price of a Lyman# 358429 Keith maybe I won't? Thanks again!

[BCB]

seagiant,
I second the 358429. I cast them from an alloy of 2-1 (WW-#2) and they weigh-in at around 170+ grains. It is the ONLY bullet (jacketed or cast) that I could get to shoot accurately from a Marlin 1894C lever gun and it is also very accurate in my Security-Six and Model 10 Victory (38 Special). Good-luck...BCB

[seagiant]

Hi BCB,
I just talked to a cast bullet Guru over at Handloads.com. He cast for a living(not Creeker) and he has a original 4 cavity H&G #43 and the Lyman#358429 and said if he had to do it over he would have just got the Lyman! It's suppose to cast more different alloys better and falls from the mold easier also.
This was pretty disturbing seeing how the Lyman is half the price! I told him I might put a heavy 1/4 in. sprue plate on the Lyman and never look back! Ha! Thanks again!

[klw]

I've got quite a few Ballisti-Cast moulds. They are all excellent.

I have friends at Lyman. I like a lot of their stuff BUT not their bullet moulds. They just wear out quickly.

[seagiant]

Hi KLW,
You know people are funny, I think that RCBS makes the best mold for under $50 bucks and have some of the best customer support out there. On the other hand with Lyman if they did not make molds I wouldn't have much use for them! Go figure! Maybe I don't have the volume with my molds you have but to be fair have never had a problem with a Lyman mold,the only thing is I would change,is to a thicker sprue plate. Thanks for the info on Ballisti-cast!