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View Poll Results: What were the first mold(s) you used and how did you acquire it/them?

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  • Lee molds, purchased.

    259 47.52%
  • Lee molds, given, borrowed.

    20 3.67%
  • Other brand mold, purchased.

    214 39.27%
  • Other brand mold, given, borrowed.

    52 9.54%
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Thread: Quick poll on first molds.

  1. #21
    Boolit Master
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    I'd be curious to know what ever happened to my first mold. It was a lee 2 cavity 429-240 swc. I chucked it up in a lathe, plain based one cavity, and re-cut the other into a ~330 gr wfn shape. I sold or traded the molds years ago when I got rid of my 44 mag.

  2. #22
    Boolit Grand Master Harter66's Avatar
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    My first mould was a sand cast in the 8th grade about 79-80'.

    I himha'd for the best part of 2 yr before I sprung for a 357-158 and a 452-255 . I was troubled by the cost moulds were 70-100 bucks a pop, then you had to have a lube sizer and dies and and and ....... I figured it would cost about $300 to cast the first bullet . Eventually I got it through my head . I bought Lee exclusively until I stumbled on a 45-200 ........Then I was looking at a 27-150 at Natchez and I spent $10 less after shipping for a NOE 5C.
    If I hadn't started with Lee I probably wouldn't have started and I wouldn't have 30 moulds from 7 makers and most importantly I wouldn't know that it's well worth the extra money for some moulds more than others .
    In the time of darkest defeat,our victory may be nearest. Wm. McKinley.

    I was young and stupid then I'm older now. Me 1992 .

    Richard Lee Hart 6/29/39-7/25/18


    Without trial we cannot learn and grow . It is through our stuggles that we become stronger .
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  3. #23
    Boolit Master

    tward's Avatar
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    First mold was a single cavity Lyman 311403, a nice old Pope design.Tim

  4. #24
    Boolit Master

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    Early '70s, I was kind of involved with Civil War re-enactment...I wasn't one of the regular, hard-core buffs who were out every weekend but 'filled in the ranks' when my schedule allowed. First mold was a Lee .58 Minie to feed my 1861 Springfield. Second was Lee .44 conical for my Colt Army.

    Bill
    "I'm not often right but I've never been wrong."

    Jimmy Buffett
    "Scarlet Begonias"

  5. #25
    Boolit Master 308Jeff's Avatar
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    Getting ready to buy my first mold, and I've been considering going the other direction. Buying a higher end mold, under the assumption that I'll have less difficulties as an inexperienced caster.

    Is that sound logic?

  6. #26
    Boolit Grand Master OS OK's Avatar
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    Have you been loading long enough for the hobby to stick...you ain't never gonna quit?

    Then yes...sound logic!

    If you did...or have to quit for some reason, at least you'd get a better return on the investment.
    a m e r i c a n p r a v d a

    Be a Patriot . . . expose their lies!

    “In a time of deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” G. Orwell

  7. #27
    Boolit Grand Master

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    My first 2 moulds were Thompsen Center mould a 50 cal maxi ball and a 490 round ball I bought with the renegade 50 cal kit. At the time I felt buying from the rifles maker would aleveate a lot of problems as to fit and accuracy LOL.

  8. #28
    Boolit Master 308Jeff's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by OS OK View Post
    Have you been loading long enough for the hobby to stick...you ain't never gonna quit?

    Then yes...sound logic!

    If you did...or have to quit for some reason, at least you'd get a better return on the investment.
    Been reloading for about 10 years now. I'm plenty hooked. Sometimes I think I might enjoy reloading more than shootin'? It's a great form of relaxation for me.

    I'm into the casting portion enough now that I'm hooked for sure. Adds a whole new dimension to the reloading/shooting hobby.

  9. #29
    Boolit Master
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    First mold was a single cavity 31141 Ideal, found it in a gun shop "junk box". It was way older than my 14 summers, way back in 73
    Still have it too !
    “You don’t practice until you get it right. You practice until you can’t get it wrong.” Jason Elam, All-Pro kicker, Denver Broncos

  10. #30
    Boolit Grand Master OS OK's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by 308Jeff View Post
    Been reloading for about 10 years now. I'm plenty hooked. Sometimes I think I might enjoy reloading more than shootin'? It's a great form of relaxation for me.

    I'm into the casting portion enough now that I'm hooked for sure. Adds a whole new dimension to the reloading/shooting hobby.
    Sorta like a feeling of independence and satisfaction.
    a m e r i c a n p r a v d a

    Be a Patriot . . . expose their lies!

    “In a time of deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” G. Orwell

  11. #31
    Boolit Grand Master
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    Started with a Hensley & Gibbs 10 cavity #50BB. It makes the Lee look like a Yugo.

    I have usually regretted getting "economical" equipment. That H&G would cast over 1000 bullets an hour. But I was in my 20's then. As I near 70, I could never use something that heavy for very long. Heck, I am looking at getting a Master Caster now.

    Don Verna

  12. #32
    Boolit Master NoAngel's Avatar
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    I bought a Lee mold and a lee loader for 38 special many years ago. For all the trash talk Lee gets, they are really the best option for the new guy. If you ruin it, you're not out much money. If you master a Lee mold, stepping into an Accurate or NOE is a cake walk.
    When dealing with islam one should always ask themselves: "What would Leonidas do?"

  13. #33
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by 308Jeff View Post
    Getting ready to buy my first mold, and I've been considering going the other direction. Buying a higher end mold, under the assumption that I'll have less difficulties as an inexperienced caster.

    Is that sound logic?
    A higher end mold isn't necessarily easier to cast with. The basics are getting the mold hot enough to get fillout and that applies to any mold.

    For a first mold I would recommend avoiding a brass mold as IMHO they are the most finicky in terms of not too hot and not too cold.

    It would help to narrow down what caliber you plan to start casting for to give advice on good first molds. Often times a lee will cast just as well as a mold costing 5 times as much and shoot just as accurately. Other times it's worth investing in a more expensive mold.

  14. #34
    Boolit Master
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    First mold was a Lyman 429421 IIRC and the last mold I bought from Lyman. Right now I have LBT,NEI,NOE,Rapine,RCBS molds. Tried a couple of Lee mold couldn't get a decent bullet from them,gave them to a buddy but don't know if he uses them.

  15. #35
    Boolit Master pjames32's Avatar
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    2 cavity Ideal 38WC 50 years ago. Still use it!
    NRA Benefactor Member

  16. #36
    Boolit Master
    farmerjim's Avatar
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    Lyman, Lee didn't make molds then. I got a 2 cavity 158 gr RN 38 cal, used it once and traded it in for a 4 cavity. I have about 30 Lee molds now, they all work great. I must be lucky.
    There is no difference between communism and socialism, except in the means of achieving the same ultimate end: communism proposes to enslave men by force, socialism—by vote. It is merely the difference between murder and suicide. Ayn Rand

  17. #37
    Boolit Grand Master popper's Avatar
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    Lee 40sw, now worn out. Then RD for the 30/30. Lee's are someplace, RD is gone, all Accurate now (Al) but made to my specs. All 8 get used frequently. Only 1 Lee handle though.
    Whatever!

  18. #38
    Boolit Master 308Jeff's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by paul h View Post
    A higher end mold isn't necessarily easier to cast with. The basics are getting the mold hot enough to get fillout and that applies to any mold.

    For a first mold I would recommend avoiding a brass mold as IMHO they are the most finicky in terms of not too hot and not too cold.

    It would help to narrow down what caliber you plan to start casting for to give advice on good first molds. Often times a lee will cast just as well as a mold costing 5 times as much and shoot just as accurately. Other times it's worth investing in a more expensive mold.
    Great info. Thank you.

    I'm going to start with 40 S&W. Would like something in the 165-170gr range.

  19. #39
    Boolit Man
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    I got mine 37 years ago, 5 of them all RCBS to cover my bases. They were $25 each. I bought ever thing to get started all at once.
    Last edited by Charliemac; 02-03-2017 at 04:20 PM.

  20. #40
    Boolit Master
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    My wife got me an rcbs 2 cavity in 357 mag 158grgc mold ,then I bought an rcbs 2cavity 357 mag 180 grgc mold then I bought Lee molds can cast longer with the light ally molds .

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check