About a month ago, I started seeking a Lightweight SWC for 41 cal in a 4 or 5 or 6 cavity mold.
I couldn't find anything I wanted in a current design, maybe there isn't much of call for a lightweight SWC?
I learned that Arsenal Molds will consider some custom work. I've never owned a Arsenal Mold and thought I'd like to give one a try. I sent them a request for a Lightweight SWC in 41 mold via their "Contact us" section of their website, and Jared promptly sent me a response.
He and I exchanged several emails including him sending me a drawing of what he thought I wanted from my description, after a couple changes, and another drawing, it was exactly what I wanted (41-205-SWC version 2).I guess others have made contact with him via a more direct route.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...-Arsenal-Molds
Attachment 214286
I told him on 1/25 to "go ahead" on a 5 cav alum mold. I received a paypal payment invoice on 1/26 and promptly paid it ($95 plus shipping). I thought the price would have been higher, due to added time for the two drawings. The invoice also said to allow approximately 2 weeks for delivery.
about 2 weeks later, a shipping notification email arrived
The Mold arrived yesterday, Happy Valentines day to me
The mold looks beautiful ...the look, feel, and quality is as good as I've seen from the other popular mold makers. In a word, "Excellent".
I proceeded to fire up the Lead furnace with 15lb of 50-50 (COWW-soft scrap lead). I cleaned the mold with hot water, dish soap, and a toothbrush as I usually do with a new mold. I preheated the mold and started casting. I started with the alloy hotter that I usually would (710ºF). I had some wrinkling and fillout issues with the first several pours. I adjusted the temp up and down...tried a few different things until I found the sweet spot which was after a 100+ boolits (about 20 pours), then they were dropping in a excellent fashion. 201gr and .413 on both sides.
Attachment 214279
Right after the successful casting session, I assembled 3 dummy rounds (seated to Crimp groove, COAL 1.642) and cycled "the set of three dummy rds" a few times each through both my Marlin 1894s and my Henry Big Boy steel. I was extremely happy how they cycled in both guns. Of course, actual live fire at the range will tell the real story.
Great custom mold at a great price. Great conversation with Jared. Great boolits.