John Ross here...

[John Ross]

I have PMd NOE.

Porterhouse's modifications make sense to me.

On casting with five cavity molds. It can be done. As you say, it means waiting longer between casts, and if you use enough molds in rotation this is not a bad thing. But it does seem more forgiving with more aluminum on the mold. Even the 5 cavity NOE mold is better than the 6 cavity Lee as the blocks are larger and it is one less cavity, plus the AL alloy is a little different. But, as I say, I am pretty sure NOE will allow us individually to choose which way we want it. I will confirm this with Al.

I myself will probably want as many of these as I can afford, and so will you I assume. I think we can get this on his list real soon.

Great news! Let's get this rolling! And BTW here's an article I wrote in 2003 that some of you may enjoy...

http://web.archive.org/web/200611262...t/betrayal.htm

[Porterhouse]

This is getting exciting!
One thing I want to point out with those semi pointy design. John, correct me if I'm wrong. I think the only reason they have 40% meplat is, that was the smallest Dan's program offered at the time you ordered. Wouldn't you prefer true sharp point if that is possible? I don't know if sharp point makes BC any better but it sure makes them look lot sexier!

Also, with the big meplat design. Onty's drawing looks good but I think John wants bigger meplat, something like 95% and make it look more like wad cutter, instead of WFN or WLN. 95% meplat of .500 is, ladies and gentlemen, same as BORE DIAMETER of mighty 475Linebaugh!

Oh, by the way, I just found some left over 700gr bullets that I had bought from Ranger Rick a few years ago. The nose of those are .700" as I measured it so, I think we should be fine with .700" nose.
So happy7, do I see with pointy design, go with NOE and big meplat/hollow point, with Mihec? I hope 69daytona to get involved...

[John Ross]

This is getting exciting!
One thing I want to point out with those semi pointy design. John, correct me if I'm wrong. I think the only reason they have 40% meplat is, that was the smallest Dan's program offered at the time you ordered. Wouldn't you prefer true sharp point if that is possible? I don't know if sharp point makes BC any better but it sure makes them look lot sexier!

I doubt a BIG difference in BC but I'd want at least a little flat point for nose-first sizing in the Star.

[John Ross]

Also, with the big meplat design. Onty's drawing looks good but I think John wants bigger meplat, something like 95% and make it look more like wad cutter, instead of WFN or WLN. 95% meplat of .500 is, ladies and gentlemen, same as BORE DIAMETER of mighty 475Linebaugh!

True, and less shank in the case (shorter, lighter bullet). .900" OAL with .200" in the case. It'll be heavy enough for SD at almost any velocity, and at high velocity should make for fun vids of shooting watermelons (wear your raincoats...)

[Porterhouse]

John,
I use modified plastic sabots to protect tips (meplat=36%) of my semi pointy bullets when I size them with Star sizer. It doesn't add too much work.

[RANGER RICK]

John,
I use modified plastic sabots to protect tips (meplat=36%) of my semi pointy bullets when I size them with Star sizer. It doesn't add too much work.

That is a great Idea for the star sizer . For my pointed ones I use the RCBS Lam II but now I might use the Star again !!!

RR

[happy7]

Here are some drawings NOE came up with. I like them. But feel free to coment and we can tweak them if needbe.



We could possibly shorten the body bands to be able to decrease the weight interval and have another mold or two in the series, like John originally planned. However, I do like the looks of these as is, and the weights do cover the spectrum fairly well.

[John Ross]

Can they make the grease grooves thinner and more numerous? The 450 grain should have two and the 400 grain (not shown) one.

Below is a pic of my bullets. The lightest on the left is 450 and it has two grooves.

[Doc_Stihl]

Great news! Let's get this rolling! And BTW here's an article I wrote in 2003 that some of you may enjoy...

http://web.archive.org/web/200611262...t/betrayal.htm

What a great read.

[midnight]

Thank God for the .500 S&W. Without it, what would I shoot in the Beowulf. I hope we get a group buy going on whatever comes out of this discussion. My preference would be for a 500gr HP to flatten large critters inside 150 yds.

Bob

[RANGER RICK]

Here are some drawings NOE came up with. I like them. But feel free to coment and we can tweak them if needbe.



We could possibly shorten the body bands to be able to decrease the weight interval and have another mold or two in the series, like John originally planned. However, I do like the looks of these as is, and the weights do cover the spectrum fairly well.

Happy

Let's see a few with a gas check design.
The .500 DIA bullets are also used in rifles such as my 500 Cyrus and pushed pretty stout so a gas check is nice .
What do ya say ???

Thanks

RR

[happy7]

Rick,

The gas check would be a nice option, but it would require a different tool for every weight. This way we can get by with one tool for all the designs. I do agree. i would like to see a gas check on the 450 weight one, but then it would need to be run separately and get to 15 orders all by itself. I am thinking about doing something like that though, after this.

[happy7]

Here is the latest revision from NOE. What do you think, John? Personally, I probably like the first ones better, but I will go with whatever everyone else wants.

[RANGER RICK]

Happy

OK

RR

[John Ross]

Here is the latest revision from NOE. What do you think, John? Personally, I probably like the first ones better, but I will go with whatever everyone else wants.

I like the thinner grease grooves shown here. Now get them to draw a 400 grain one with a single grease groove.

[Paulinski]

I'm in for the group buy...

[Blammer]

If you guys suddenly need a bunch of 500SW gc's let me know I'll get more in inventory.

[Porterhouse]

Bump!
Trying to keep this alive. By looking at NOE's drawings with thinner groove, 400gr would leave only 0.150" or so of inside case length. Only solution would be changing the nose profile a little and make it skinnier/pointier. Since I'm into more of Long nose with big meplat & big hollow point design, I can't say too much about those semi pointy design but that what I see.

[happy7]

I'm just waiting on the 400 drawing from Swede. He is swamped at the moment. Then I will start a thread in the active group buys. I am also planning a gas check mold as well. Something like a 440 grain.

[timbuck]

I go to ammoguide and look up loads with regards to muzzle energy.
They all seem to have a sweet spot in regards to boolit weight, this one seems to top out at 400-450grains. After that the muzzle energy drops off.
The heavier boolit looks cooler though.

http://ammoguide.com/?catid=221

It doesnt show the higher weights that members can see. I dont want to get castboolits in trouble posting the other address with all the copyright stuff. You get the idea on how it works out.