rcbs 44-250 or lyman 429421 or...suggestions?

[ratboy]

i have been watching for a reasonably priced used mold for my 44 revolver (629)and nothing has turned up.(got one?) i am now thinking about ordering a new mold since i need to get a 258 sizer anyways:wink:. i have tried a search but i am not getting the results i require. i understand that every firearm has a preference but i was hoping to avoid the "those molds are no good" instance. i dont really want to wait until january for the group buy rerun but i will if someone can convince me this is the best course of action.
discuss
:coffee:

[Catshooter]

If buying new, be careful of Lyman. You may get one that casts a good diameter, and you may not. It's a shot in the dark as to what you'll get.

Welcome to the forum by the way.


Cat

[fredj338]

I have both, like both. My Lyman is an older 4cav though.

[462]

Since Mr. Keith designed the 429421, it was my choice. However, any difference(s) between the two probably isn't(aren't) worth agonizing over.

You might try posting a "want to buy" in the Swappin and Sellin sub-forum. Most likely, when one shows up, it'll have a substantially lower price than those listed on ebay.

[ratboy]

"You might try posting a "want to buy" in the Swappin and Sellin sub-forum. Most likely, when one shows up, it'll have a substantially lower price than those listed on ebay. "

it is no fun to stalk your prey when it is standing out in the open.

;)

but yes, i was going to try that as a last resort to new.

[94Doug]

I like your chances with an RCBS if you're buying new....

d

[EDK]

How much are you willing to spend?

In the Vendor/Sponsor section, NIGHT OWL ENTERPRISES has a jillion moulds for sale...surely one that suits your needs. MIHEC also has some moulds in stock AND has several group buys going that will be delivered in a month or so. Neither of them are cheap. but they are definitely worth the money.

Personally, if I didn't have a six cavity aluminum AND a four cavity brass solid of MIHECS version of 429421, I'd order one of his four cavity brass craemer-style hollow point moulds for it, currently in active group buys. Get the optional extra hollow point pins you like and "fire it up." MMA10MM had a similar boolit in a LEE six cavity awhile back; some one might sell you one, but mine ain't for sale!

I'm up for MIHEC'S version of 429640 hollowpoint since I shoot a couple of 44 MARLIN Cowboy rifles; .434 plain base. You might take a look at that or the other group buy for the solid. The LYMAN is d*** good in my rifles and VAQUEROS; the MIHEC will be even better, per my past experiences with his moulds.

:Fire::cbpour::redneck:

PS For your S&W, I'd get a mould in .434 rather than .432. Size to the chamber throats rather than bore size.

[LAH]

Bothe are good bullets though I like the Lyman best.

[stubshaft]

Well I gotta be a stick in the mud because I prefer the RCBS 44-245KT.

[Three44s]

RCBS 250K here.


Three 44s

[Iron Mike Golf]

I think you should head on over to the Active Group Buys board and talk to the honcho of the MP #503 HP rerun. Some people had to cancel and folks were being added to the list this week. My understanding is that some were made as solids. Mihec often has 1 or two extras. If no solid molds are available, but a HP one is, go for that. You can flip the pins and cast then as solids. MP molds are wonderful (I have 2 of the .44 #503s, a .45 #503, .44 200 gr HP that does 223 gr as a RFN, and a .45 297 gr SAA style).

I have used the RCBS 44-250-KT and the SAECO 441, but like the MP molds better.

[white eagle]

odd man out
(as usual)
my vote is a Accurate Molds
I have this version of the 429K series and this rocks
pretty close to the masters wishes as well
http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=43-250K-D.png

[MtGun44]

RCBS's QA seems to produce more consistent molds these days, but the current iteration
of the 429421 has the flat bottomed lube groove that Elmer designed in. The real differences
between the two are very small. Both will be excellent for medium up to hot loads with your
629, if fitted to the throats. Throat diam or throat diam +.001 will probably give you excellent
results with either one.

I'd suggest you start with straight wheelwts, NRA 50-50 lube and 10 gr of Unique with either
one. 20 gr of 2400 is a great hot load, and around 23-24 gr of H110/W296 usually do well, too.

Bill

[Catshooter]

Since Mr. Keith designed the 429421, it was my choice.

Mr. Keith did indeed design the 429421. But then he trusted Ideal/Lyman with it.

You are correct though, the differences can be small. But of course the Devil lives in the detail, doesn't he.


Cat

[BWelch47]

Well I gotta be a stick in the mud because I prefer the RCBS 44-245KT.

I like that mould. It is sad that RCBS no longer produces it. It has been replaced by the 44-250-KT. I have one and it is one of my treasured moulds along with a single cavity Lyman 356429 and 452423.:wink::lol:

[Lloyd Smale]

out of the two id take the 421429 just because the rcbs molds in 250k and 250swc tend that ive had tend to drop bullets on the small side and i have a couple guns that like them at 432.

[theperfessor]

Well, I can't argue with what has already been said IF you're looking for a SWC/Keith style bullet. But I picked up a six cavity Lee 429-240-2R a while back and have been pleasantly surprised with the results in .44 Special and similar level loads in .44 Mag cases. I know roundnose bullets aren't sexy and certainly aren't the best choice for hunting and self defense, but they just drop in to the cylinders and steel plates don't seem to know the difference.

[crash87]

The "KEITH" bullet. Ask what is a real Keith sometime, then look out :roll:!! From what I have gathered Lyman has the right number, 429421, RCBS has the better quality control and customer service, and still close enough to the "Keith". But what is a Keith? Not really asking as I already know. You can have something, mold that is, that is heads and shoulders over the Lyman or RCBS, for a few bucks more, get the diameter you want, in the material you want, that is for, all but what the purists would say, is a Keith semi wadcutter.


odd man out
(as usual)
my vote is a Accurate Molds
I have this version of the 429K series and this rocks
pretty close to the masters wishes as well
http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=43-250K-D.png
+1
I ordered a mold from Tom got it in about 2 weeks, he says 3. Not to be left out Mountain molds and L.B.T. will get you a Keith in about the same amount of time. In fact you can't go wrong with any of these guys, but, you can with the big guy's whom don't seem to want to listen anymore.
Crash87

[GLL]

Just for reference !

Jerry

http://www.fototime.com/2CB4022C53F7A88/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/663AE09580611F3/standard.jpg

[LAH]

The "KEITH" bullet. Ask what is a real Keith sometime, then look out :roll:!! From what I have gathered Lyman has the right number, 429421, RCBS has the better quality control and customer service, and still close enough to the "Keith". But what is a Keith? Not really asking as I already know. You can have something, mold that is, that is heads and shoulders over the Lyman or RCBS, for a few bucks more, get the diameter you want, in the material you want, that is for, all but what the purists would say, is a Keith semi wadcutter.


+1
I ordered a mold from Tom got it in about 2 weeks, he says 3. Not to be left out Mountain molds and L.B.T. will get you a Keith in about the same amount of time. In fact you can't go wrong with any of these guys, but, you can with the big guy's whom don't seem to want to listen anymore.
Crash87

A Real Keith Bullet. Well here's one answer.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=1954&highlight=Real+Keith+Bullets

[W.R.Buchanan]

There isn't enough difference in any of these Boolits to even think about.

However my Mihec mould is the best mould I have ever owned,and makes really pretty boolits with several different configurations of HP's to boot.

I want to order a mould from Tom as well as his workmanship is as good as Mihecs.

I have LEE, Magma, Lyman and Mihec SWC bullet moulds, they all deliver good boolits, and all of them shoot well in a variety of .44 call guns I own.

I don't think you can go wrong with any of them. Splitting hairs is not shooting, pick one and try to spend more than you think you should.

You'll get alot of usage out of a good quality mould, and the joy of using a well made tool will last long after the fear of spending some money is forgotten.

My dad always said "Buy the best,,, only cry once!"

Randy

[LAH]

Just for reference !

Jerry

http://www.fototime.com/2CB4022C53F7A88/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/663AE09580611F3/standard.jpg

Great pictures Jerry.