How Many Moulds Is Enough?

[jaysouth]

Just one more

[shooterg]

All of them.

I was gonna say that !

[Elmer Fudd]

I have pondered this for 48 hours. Cargo hit it just about right in the #2 post. I postulate that you need at least one mould in each bullet shape you want. I have some "duplicates," meaning one PB and one GC in the same boolit. I have some mixed bag cavities, GC and PB in the same mould. Useful, but not the most handy except the 5 banger with 3 and 2, respectively.
I like to load to levels my kids can comfortably shoot so they fall in love with heavies in mid-bores, like the NOE 310 in a Whelen. My 11 year old is on his way to a love affair with the Whelen, and earlier than I started shooting centerfires, let alone mid-bores! That luxury comes because of my mould collection. If this were about efficiency or minimalism, I'd have a couple rifles and a handgun and a mould for each, or one mould and guns all in the same caliber. Thankfully, that's not the case.

[Burnt Fingers]

I haven't counted lately but I'd guess around 150.

[rockrat]

When I joined this board, I had about 8 moulds, but now, thanks to the enablers here, a whole lot more!!!

[charlie b]

Not very many. But, for the most part, I know what bullet type I want for each caliber I shoot.

9mm, 105SWC and 147TC
.357, 140SWC
.45acp, 200SWC

.50 muzzle loader, 450gn SWC

It is my .308 that has several because of different purposes. 165gn PB, 170gn GC, 210gn GC.

I do not see me buying any more. Actually may end up selling a couple.

PS I also do not have many guns anymore. Downsized a while ago to the ones I shoot/carry a lot.

[ascast]

I need at least one workable projectile for every rod I own. Some have multiples, like 45 rifle, or pistol, 38 rifle, 30 cal rifle etc, you get the idea. I still have a couple holes in the line up, with no or only one workable but not first choice mold. I have a few hundred. Hope that helps. ha ha

[bedbugbilly]

"Enough" is when you have molds for a specific caliber that work well in your firearm and that you regularly cast in . . . . .

"Too many is when you have a "collection" of molds to use for a specific caliber but which you only used the molds that you regularly shoot and the rest sit on the shelf - sometimes for years - and never get used . . . .
I've been casting for over 55 years . . don't ask how I know the difference . . .

[dverna]

I am in the same boat with Jon and Charlie. Started downsizing years ago and still shedding stuff I do not need or want anymore. I am still in the buying mode on molds due to the acquisition of a Master Caster, but that means my other molds will likely be sold.

With what is going on with component supply and pricing, I will be shooting less CF so I have started to factory that in as well. When I reach for a few boxes of pistol ammunition for a range session, I do not want to wonder, "What gun is this for?".

Current plan is Magma molds:
122 gr TC 9mm...with one load for all the 9's
130 gr RNFP .38....bought for CAS but may sell it
158 gr SWC .38/.357....nickel cases for light loads and brass cases for heavy loads
180 gr FP .40...one load for all the .40's

I have a MiHec .223 NATO mold and for the .30 calibers three molds.

For the shotguns, Lyman slug mold and Lee buckshot mold.

I might try casting for the .22 PCP gun if I want to punish and humble myself...LOL

[sirgknight]

Mr. Potterfield at Midway USA has the answer to your question......

[reddhawkk]

How many molds is enough? I just bought one for a caliber I don't have, yet!

[Mal Paso]

How many molds is enough? I just bought one for a caliber I don't have, yet!

That's a common excuse for buying another gun. No extra points here. Maybe some at home? LOL

[Butcher45]

Well, I was given 250+pieces of brass for a cartridge that I don't have.

So you all know what that means.......

[Idaho Sharpshooter]

last count, less than 100. About 50 for rifle, 30 for handguns, and three for shotguns.
I just bought another Shiloh Sharps Montana Rough Rider in, ready for this: 30-40 Krag. The good news; I have 9 or 10 .30 caliber molds, so there is a whole summer's worth of experimenting ahead of me.

thanks for asking,

Rich

[Cosmic_Charlie]

I only cast for four calibers. .44, .38, 9mm and .30. I have three .44 molds, three .38 molds, two 9mm molds and three .30 molds. I have a mold in each caliber that I do not use much but I keep them around because they might work well in a new gun. I may add a heavier boolit .44 mold for my new Henry single shot. I really do need to try some hp molds though.

[kbstenberg]

There is only one answer. 1 mold to fill each purpose for a firearm.

[David2011]

“Enough” is one for every boolit you want to cast. Anything more is excess that can lead to purchasing additional firearms.

[Hanzy4200]

I know its time to slow down when you start accidentally buying duplicates because you forget what you own.

[farmbif]

when you have to build a new building to hold all your stuff, you might be real close to having enough.

[MostlyLeverGuns]

A lightweight 'plinking' mold, a flat point hunting mold and a 'pointy' long range mold is necessary for each caliber. In some cases, another one or two mold might be needed in some calibers to properly fit a throat for accuracy or accommodate certain calibers like a .316 for the P14 .303 British or whatever. A high volume mold for the 9mm, 40, and 45 is good. When I buy a firearm, if it is a new caliber, a mold is added, even for calibers where lead bullets normally are not considered like the .243 and 6.5 Creedmoor. Properly kept molds won't spoil and take little room.

Oh yeah, I did put a new building for my stuff.