lyman slug mold on magma master caster

[toecutter]

So I bought a magma master caster earlier this year, and have been making ungodly quantities of bullets. However, I also shoot a lot of shotgun slugs, I have been using a lee slug mold for the last 2 years, but it's getting pretty long in the tooth, so I've been thinking about upgrading to a lyman slug mold. From what I can tell looking at these on midway's site, they use some kind of base plug, would it be possible to use one of these on the magma machine?

[HATCH]

I know this is a really old thread but by chance did you figure this out?

[jmort]

There is a fellow selling them and he uses a Magma Caster. So I guess the answer is yes. He sells both 12 and 20 gauge $30 per hundred plus shipping.

[HATCH]

And the fellow is?

[jmort]

http://www.gardnerscache.com/

[HATCH]

Thanks

[HATCH]

Looks like your information was wrong
Direct from the man
HI,
ALL SLUGS ARE(LYMAN WAD SLUG MOLDS) DONE BY HAND NOT ON THE AUTOMATED MACHINES. THE ONLY MOLD I HAD MODIFIED WAS THE 20 GAUGE,IT WAS WAY UNDERSIZED FOR THE 20GA BORE?
JIM G.

So does anyone else know?

[HATCH]

Anyone ?

[chloe123]

I know you're well established, Hatch, so apologies in advance if I'm mistaken

From what I heard temp is concern with large rifle calibers in the MC, I suppose due to the distance of orifice. I figured that volume, even if hollow base, would present casting issues and was reason Magma doesn't produce

[runfiverun]

I don't think the base plug itself would present a problem with the machine if it were locked into place.
you'd still have to remove and install it every time though.
and you'd also have to swap out the double plate for a single.
I see no advantage in efficiency and more of a pain than it'd be worth.

[HATCH]

I have considered the size of the slug and I believe that it is possible to make one.
Example, Magma offers a 500 grain 45/70 boolit mold. It is single cavity.
This is larger in weight then a Lee 1 oz slug.
I believe that you could use a inset-bar style hollow point setup and base it on a Lee mold.



I just didn't know if someone had done this.

Lamar, the deal is my master caster is automated so if I don't have to deal with casting its a time saver.

[runfiverun]

you could talk to Erik at hollow-point molds.
he does some stuff for the master-casters that is amazing, if anyone could figure it out it'd be him.
a nose pour mold and hollow base type plug should be doable if it's done with the master-caster in mind from the start.

[chloe123]

Talked to him a few days ago--a nice guy. An easy talk.

[HATCH]

I have a 40 cal HP mold from him.
He does good work.

[runfiverun]

it'd be a flip over of that 40 mold basically.
the mold is going to be expensive when it's done though, I can see a 2-300 dollar lay out.
dunno how many that is to get your money back, but it's for sure gonna take a while to break even.

[HATCH]

Your right.
I sent a email to Erik and asked him and this is his response

Hi Charles. The lee mold would be a pain to mount and would be beat to
death in no time. You need to have a slug mold made on a Magma block or
clone and we can set that mold up with an automatic base pin for use in
the Magma machine. If magma doesn't have what you need for the cavity
in a nose pour contact Accurate molds for the block and nose pour
cavity, I'd make the base pin as part of my conversion.
My conversion on a single cavity magma block or clone to work on your
Master Caster would be $165 for my conversion. Erik

So I would say it would cost me $200 for the mold plus the $165 conversion and shipping.
So it would be a $400 mold easy.
Considering I can purchase cast slugs for $30 per 100, I would have to cast a bunch to break even and I don't see that happening as I don't shoot that many slugs