Quick poll on first molds.

[rintinglen]

Lee had not begun making molds when I first started casting, and those Lyman SC's owned by my neighbor's dad were instrumental in determining my own initial purchases. I bought a Lachmiller and a Cramer mold at a Yard sale and for years I used them--still have them, though both have been replaced by 4 or more cavity molds now. Both are iron alloy molds.

I am not a fan of Lee molds for beginners. It is easier to learn on a steel or iron mold than it it is on an Aluminum mold. However, for the more experienced caster, those 6 cavity gang molds are the bomb for producing piles of boolits fast.

[762sultan]

The first mold I had was a Lyman 452460 swc for a 45acp. Still have it and shoot it as well as a noe H&G #68 clone.

[ChuckJaxFL]

First was an H&G 68.

[Bob Maerdian]

1st mold was Lyman 457125 for 45-70 still have and still use it, got it in 1957. 1st mold I purchased was Lyman 311467, still have it and still use it. Got it about 1957 nor 1958.

Bob Maerdian

[.22-10-45]

Lyman Dbl. Cav. .375 R.B. For .36 Navy Arms copy of the 1851 Navy percussion revolver. I was 16 and taught myself how to run ball on an old wood fired cast iron range using a 10# cast iron pot that just fit in the smaller hole in main burner lid. & an old spoon. Soon graduated to the Lyman dipper. Using that old wood fired range thru the years, I cast everything from Lyman 225415 up thru Lyman 575213. Gave up the wood stove when a co-worker took pity on me when I was just getting into handgun silhouette and sold me a little SAECO electric

[holsterguy]

Back in the early 80s, traded some gun slings for a zouave rifle. It came with a round ball and a minie ball mold (lyman I believe). Not knowing a thing about casting, I busted up some old batteries I had, melted the plates down on the kitchen stove (REAL forgivivg wife). What a pain those minie's were!
A couple years later, I got a colt saa clone in 45 and bought a lee mold. WAY easier. That dipper had to go!

[lightman]

My first bullets were cast with a 4 cavity Lyman. I don't remember the numbers but I still have them. A 180 grain 30 caliber, a 130 grain 30 caliber and a 230 grain 45 caliber. I later bought several 2 cavity RCBS molds and recently bought a few 4 cavity H&G molds from members here. They all make good bullets.

[Dancing Bear]

My first mold was a Lyman 429421. Cast for my S&W 629 Classic. Still going strong after 20+ years of service. I usually cast enough bullets to last me a couple of years nowadays.

[Good Cheer]

Mid seventies, first one was a single cavity Lee 150 grain round nose for .38 Specials.
Made oodles and scads of boolits. And it's still good to go.

[SlowBurn]

I've recently started shooting, reloading and casting:

• new 2 cavity LBT 316-160 LFN (I was glad to let Veral decide what I needed)
• new 4 cavity NOE 316-202 RN (haven't shot these yet)
• new 4 cavity MP 311-180 (haven't shot these yet either)
• used 2 cavity IDEAL 311466 152 gn (in the mail)

[BlackIce05]

Started a month or so ago with a LEE and have since aquired 2 MP molds. Have yet to load a single one. Been having enough fun just casting boolits so far.

[FISH4BUGS]

My first mould was a Lyman 2 cavity in 44. Since then I have been collecting/using Hensley & Gibbs with 2 old original Carpinteria CA SAECO's for 45 auto.

[Hick]

I started with a couple of Lyman molds, and liked them, but then tried a couple of Lee molds to compare. Liked them too. They're all keepers. Then I added a couple of old-old Lyman/Ideal single cavity molds I found on Gunbroker-- and they work great too.

[308Jeff]

Just realized I could finally vote!

[stubshaft]

1968 Lee single cavity 309150. Still have it.

[Harter66]

I have quite a few moulds from 12 makers .
A few cast easier than others and a few that require attention to detail .
In the end product where they fit well , and some do better but are designed for a specific chamber , it's hard to tell whether they were top shelf or bargain basement .
Attachment 192272

[Sur-shot]

All of my moulds are steel except a 230gr Lee I bought to try with the 300 BO and sub PC loads with a can. First mould was a Lyman 2 cavity 148 gr solid base WC, still have it after 50 years. Cast them on the stove in a cast iron frying pan using a dipper, I shot them as cast, pour lubed in a cake pan, then cut with an empty case, wrapped with speed tape, with the base cut off. Very frugal days.
Ed

[dlbarr]

First mould: thompson center .490 RB in 1977-78, thereabouts...

It is still in my inventory.

[RobS]

Before this site and before I knew much of anything about casting I started out with a Lee double cavity mold. Let me tell you knowledge goes a long way to helping ease the frustration levels of casting. Many, many years ago I threw my second Lee double cavity mold into the trash can in my shop and now looking back I could have easily fixed that mold with a little time. I still do have a few Lee molds however most all others are from custom mold makers.

[Boolseye]

First mold was the Lee 6-cav 452-200 SWC.