LBT Keith 44 SWC

[4296]

I see LBT makes a Keith 44 SWC. Does anyone own one? How does it differ from the Lyman and RCBS designs? Are LBT molds worth twice the price?

[Willbird]

MrOliver77 has a couple LBT molds, I will go out on a limb and say they are worth the price if you have it. I suppose a 4 cavity for 175.00 is quite a bit more than double tho isnt it ? Once you get around the idea of spending 125 for a 2 cavity I would go the extra 50 bucks and get a 4 cavity. FWIW I have not bought one yet :-)


Bill

[Bass Ackward]

I see LBT makes a Keith 44 SWC. Does anyone own one? How does it differ from the Lyman and RCBS designs? Are LBT molds worth twice the price?

4296,

I used to cast with one. Sadly, it wasn't mine.

I would say that since his sprue plates are designed to hold more lead, kinda like a dipper, it made pouring them from a bottom pour pot a lot easier for Keiths in aluminum blocks. And because the blocks were aluminum, you could keep a higher rate of casting than with other mold materials.

But that was simply one mold. Not a very good statistical analysis.

[pcb]

I see LBT makes a Keith 44 SWC. Does anyone own one? How does it differ from the Lyman and RCBS designs? Are LBT molds worth twice the price?
4296,
I have one that has been converted to the Magma machine. This one comes out at about 260 grains with gas check and lubed. I havn't personally shot them but have had several good comments about its accuracy. PCB

[Maven]

4296, I have four LBT 2 cav. molds, ranging from .268" to .459" and am pleased with their casting and accuracy. Part of the price included explicit instructions on how to slug your rifle or pistol so that you'd get a custom-fitted mold. However, I'm not impressed with the sprue plate design or the hold-down finger and quite frankly, base fill-out is often a problem in one of the cavities. This is in spite of using every means I know of to produce perfect CB's. [Several things you can do to minimize the problem are to loosen the sprue plate; cast @ 800 deg. at first and pour your alloy from a height of ~1".] I don't know what Smith charges these days, but I think I'd go to Dan @ Mountain Molds before I'd buy another LBT.

[Dutch4122]

FYI, Veral is charging $125 for a double cavity mold and $175 for a four cavity mold.

[Doughty]

On the Graybeard site there is some discussion on the LBT "Keith" bullet. Might be worth a look. www.graybeardoutdoors.com

[ammohead]

I don't know what Smith charges these days, but I think I'd go to Dan @ Mountain Molds before I'd buy another LBT.

I hear nothing but good about Dan's moulds. I am a big fan of Veral Smith. Anyone who will spit in the IRS's eye and stand his ground gets my respect. But I think that my next custom job will go to Mountain moulds. I have a hankerin for a paper patch 405 gr for my 45-70 marlin cowboy.

ammohead

[ddixie884]

I can't find the LBT Keith discussion on Greybeard, guess im just not very smart.

[Doughty]

Go to the GBO home page, skroll down to the bottom, click on GBO forums, skroll down to "Ask Veral Smith" and click on it, then go to "Big Bear."

[ddixie884]

Thanx, Old Vic, preciate it.