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Thread: 1 cavity or 2 cavity?

  1. #1
    Boolit Master
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    1 cavity or 2 cavity?

    if you were going to order a Accurate Mould for a 38-55 with a weight of 350 grains in an iron mould would you order a one cavity or a two cavity? My 45-70 mould is a one cavity. This will be for my 1885 High Wall

  2. #2
    Boolit Grand Master

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    I would consider 2 1 cavity as an option so you can cast in tandem. filling one while other is cooling. This actually increases quality and production over 1 2 cavity. If you really want need a lot of bullets then 2 2 cavities and cast in tandem.

    By cast in tandem I mean use both together:
    Pre heat both moulds to casting temp and bring lead up to temp
    fill first mould and pour good heavy sprues
    set mould down and fill second mould again pouring heavy sprues
    pick up first mould cut sprues drop bullets and fill
    set down and repeat with second mould.
    In this way the cooling time is used to fill second mould making it a non issue to pace. Moulds have time to normalize between pours. Cadence is maintained.
    Just something to consider

  3. #3
    Boolit Master Tenbender's Avatar
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    I find that two cavity molds are faster but throw different weight boolits. I find myself using only one cavity. I shoot paper more than game .

  4. #4
    Boolit Grand Master

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    There's always the old timers trick of IDing one cavity of a 2 cavity mold so bullets can be sorted and shot in groups from each cavity. A small punch mark of o from a hole punch in one cavity tells which cavity and allows them to be segregated into groups. I have used a hole punch with a bushing to center to lightly mark a o in the one cavities nose. only takes enough mark to show in the casting.

  5. #5
    Boolit Grand Master Bazoo's Avatar
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    Something that big, in a lower volume, 1 cavity would be the way I'd go. Keeps things personal.

  6. #6
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    For me it will depend on the volume needed. I have a couple single cav and wish they where 2 cav.

    I do still think a single cav has its warrants and appeal. Consistency being tantamount!

    If your not needing volume the single cav is a great bullet producer.

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  7. #7
    Boolit Master bosterr's Avatar
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    But we're talking Accurate Molds here. The cavities will be identical.

  8. #8
    Boolit Master

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    For myself, it would depend on how much I would be shooting the gun and how much I enjoyed casting.
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  9. #9
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    Winger Ed.'s Avatar
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    It be a good project to cast some in a double cavity, and some more from only one on the same block.

    Shoot them and see how big a difference it makes to you, then go from there.


    For example:
    I don't shoot in competition, and the difference between one inch of soda pop can and 1 1/2 inch groups
    isn't important enough to me for all the extra time & hassle involved in doing single cavity molds
    if I don't have to.
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  10. #10
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    With 1 cavity molds, I just cast 2 boolits instead of getting 2 molds -- OK I confess, not a fan of 1 cavity, on the other hand, I'd hate to dast a 6 banger of 500 + grn boolits

  11. #11
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    If you don't mark the cavities of an Accurate mold you will never tell the difference.
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  12. #12
    Boolit Master
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    All my big bore steel moulds are single cavity as the weight plays merry hell with my wrists, if I could I would use double cavity, however country gents idea of two single cavity moulds is brilliant. Regards Stephen

  13. #13
    Boolit Grand Master Harter66's Avatar
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    I'm no super caster , I don't have an Accurate mould yet .
    I do have 45s in iron , brass , and aluminum from Lyman , RCBS , NOE , M-P , and H&G of 1-8 cavities . The H&G #130 8 throws 1 light and 1 heavy about 1.5 gr . The MP 2C brass drops 2 bullets when I get the base pins right within 2 gr for the run on a 417 gr bullet , 380 with the hollow base . The single Lymans obviously drop one weight . The 535 NOE 3 hole drops a 535.5 , 535.2 , and 535.0 +- .1 even the tiny little flyweight 196 gr H&G drops inside 1% of weight . I enjoy casting but I find single cavities to be tedious , it just seems really unproductive to pour 50-60 pours and have 45-50 keepers . My answer is to go for the double .
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  14. #14
    Boolit Master
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    Through the years, folks concerned with the best cast bullet accuracy, will always choose a single cav. mold, think Harry Pope.

  15. #15
    Boolit Master

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    What is your twist rate? 350 is big in most 38's. I would get a 2 cav. You can adjust your rate or use a fan or a damp rag.

  16. #16
    Boolit Grand Master Bazoo's Avatar
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    How about a two cavity mould with different cavities?

  17. #17
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