Let's discuss RCBS 44 molds.

[happy7]

I am interested in a little discussion of RCBS 44 molds. They have quite a nice selection. There are the two quite similar molds, the 44-250-K and the 44-245-SWC, as well as the 44-240-SWC which is a gas check design also the 15 grain lighter 44-225-SWC, also a GC. Going heavier we have the 44-300-SWC also GC. Then in RF designs we have the 44-240-SIL, and the 44-200-FN as well as the 44-200-CM cowboy. There may be more, and they may be varients of these.

I have the 44-245-SWC and the 44-240-SWC but I have not done too much with them yet.

Here is a summary

44-200-CM
44-200-FN
44-225-SWC (GC)
44-240-SWC (GC)
44-240-SIL (GC)
44-245-SWC
44-245-KT
44-250-K
44-250-KT (44-250-SWC)
44-250-FN
44-300-SWC (GC)

I am really hoping for input from those who have actually used some of these, what you liked or didn't like, which you prefer, how well the bullets shot, etc.

[stubshaft]

The only RCBS mold I use is an older 44-245-KT it is a PB that shoots well in all of my 44's Specials and Mags. I had a 44-240-SIL and used it in a 445SM years ago when I was competing but sold it to a friend of mine.

[Iron Mike Golf]

I have a 44-250-KT. It's a secon string player now, as I am now using a Mihec clone of the H&G #503. The #503 is longer with more bearing surface (wider drive bands). The 44-250-KT has a wider meplat, I think. #503 has flat bottom lube groove. The RCBS I have has a round bottom lube groove.

I experimented with the 44-350-KT out of my Ruger Redhawk almost a year ago. I sized to .431 and got leading, but I think now it was not the fault of the mold. Since then, I have firelapped the gun and now size to .432. I guess I should give this mold a do over.

[GLL]

I have always been a fan of the old RCBS 44-250-KT (same as 44-250-SWC) #82044

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

[cbrick]

My 44 Spec has been getting a steady diet from a 4 cav MP brass clone of the H&G #503. If I am remembering my numbers correctly the H&G 503 is where the RCBS 250KT came from. If I'm wrong on that at the very least they look identical (center in GLL's photo). The brass mold casts WW @ 258 gr. and shoots great. Haven't done a lot with it in the mag yet, been to busy murdering rocks and soda cans with the Spec.

I also have, use & love the 240 Silh, the 245 SWC (pic on the left), the 300 gr. If you'll look at the photo on the cover of Glen's book that's the 300 gr. I bought 2 of these molds and sent them to Erik. See the description of the mods on the bottom of the index page.

From Ingot To Target (http://www.lasc.us/Fryxell_Book_textonly2.pdf)

Any or all of these molds may be right, you didn't say what they would be for so a recommendation is kinda tough.

Rick

[GLL]

Here are the H&G 503 (actually a Ballisti-Cast #1103 equivalent) and the RCBS 44-250-KT for comparison.

Jerry

http://www.fototime.com/310E9313ECA8D59/standard.jpg

Added MiHec's #503 : Photo by HDS in Finland
http://www.fototime.com/F2FDF2B03A8E404/standard.jpg

[Irascible]

I have the current 44-250K and it shoots very well out of my S&W 29 and Ruger Bisley IF I cast of WW+2% tin or Lyman #2 and load them to mag velocities. Wanting to shoot some lower pressure/velocity rounds I cast some of 8lbs ww / 2lbs pure lead / 3/8 lb tin. With that alloy, The bullets cast smaller than .430. This is a mystery as RCBS instruction sheet says size/weight of their pistol bullets is founded on a 1/10 tin lead alloy. Cowboy moulds with a 1/20 alloy. I need .430 to .431 for my guns. I also had this problem with a Lyman 429244, but at least they say to use Lyman #2 alloy. I solved that problem by having hollow Point Mould Service open up the bands at the same time as making the hollow point conversion. Shoots well now. I'm probably going to have them open up the RCBS mould also as it does shoot well when it fits.

[cbrick]

This is the only pic I have,

Rick

[Grandpas50AE]

I actually use mine a lot for the S&W 24-3. The Lyman mold 429244 of similar design drops boolits, that when GC'ed and lubed, weight in at 275 gr. The 3" bbl Smith doesn't stabilize those very good, so I tried the RCBS 44-240-SWC, which when GC'ed and lubed, drops them at 242 gr. These are with WW + a little pure lead added back (17 lbs WW + 1 lb pure lead). Those RCBS run beautifully out of that S&W, and can be used in the SBH .44 mag at moderate loadings. The SBH likes the 275's better at full house loads for 100 yd. shooting, so I have the two different boolits for different load maps. As has been said many times before, only YOUR gun can tell you what IT likes.

[Mal Paso]

I love RCBS products but I can't imagine casting pistol Boolits 2 at a time, I shoot too many, so I started with a 4 cavity Lyman 429421.

Now I would only buy from mold makers on this forum. They Know how important cast size is and you get real quality. I was cleaning my first MP 503 last night. Miha put a bearing sleeve on the sprue plate pivot screw, That's Detail!

Accurate Molds if you can't wait for a group buy is a very good deal.

[376Steyr]

I have the 44-250-K. It drops beautiful bullets, but they come out at .430, just like the RCBS catalog sheet says they're supposed to. I use Beagle tape to get them up to .431 to better fit my current .44 Specials.

[kelbro]

My 250-K drops right at .431 with my 50/50 WW/Pb alloy (+2%Sn) and shoot great out of my 44 Special Lipseys BH.

[Daddyfixit]

The RCBS 44-250KT was the first smokeless powder mould I bought, my first love so to speak
Very accurate in my Dan Wesson & Dragoon. I bought the Mihec 4 cav mould but haven't sent any down range yet

[MtGun44]

GCs are unnecessary in pistol ammo. 44-250-K is a superb boolit, you can cast from air
cooled wwts and shoot accurately to full .44 mag velocities with no leading. Proper fit
and good lube like LBT soft blue or NRA 50-50 are part of the deal.

Bill

[winelover]

RCBS 240 SWC-GC was one of the first moulds I bought when I first started casting 30 years ago. I used it exclusively in my Redhawk and had exceptional accuracy sized @ .429 using RCBS pistol lube, no leading. After joining this forum, I found out GC's are probably not necessary in pistols, however back then they were cheap and I got good results sizing to J-word diameters. When I aquired my Marlin 1894 SS, I wasn't happy with the long range results but had no feeding issues.:holysheep Realizing I need a fatter boolet, I ended up with the lube grooved version of RD 265 RNFP sized @ .432 in a 3 cavity (2 PB + 1 GC) and am now a Happy Camper.

Winelover:cbpour:

[44magnum1979]

I really like the lyman 429421 in my 629.

[BigboreShooter]

Happy 7
I've used the RCBS 225GC quite a bit.Its very accurate in every 44sp/mag. I've shot it in.
Cast with WW's and all dress up mine weigh about 232grs. I have yet to shoot any game with it yet.

BigboreShooter

[runfiverun]

i use the 44-240 swc g/c.
it is the only g/c mold i have exclusively for handgun use.
the ly 429241 is used in the 44 special and occasional use in the 44 mag.
but that g/c mold is for the 445.

[canyon-ghost]

Only thought I'd like to add isn't about any particular brand name. I started using some trade boolits in Lee 200 grain RNFP. While the 200 grain is light for most uses, it's absolutely great for shooting targets with my flattop. Turned out to be mucho accurate at 50 meters.

It's just shooting steel rounds on a silhouette range but, it's great plinking! Almost forgot, the same load has been decent in a 215 gas check mold (of Lyman design).

Good Luck,
Ron

[Matt_G]

I have always been a fan of the old RCBS 44-250-KT (same as 44-250-SWC) #82044

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

Thanks for the pic Jerry.
I have one of those 82044 moulds that is labeled 44-250-SWC.
As you said, it looks just like the middle boolit in your pic. Great mould.
It is pretty much the way Elmer meant them to be.
So is the H&G 503 and Miha's copy of that.

[Beau Cassidy]

I just got a NIB RCBS GC .44 keith mold in a trade. I will let it go or $50 if you want it. I already have one. It was my first .44 mold and is the absolute most accurate .44 bullet I have.

[pistolman44]

I use the RCBS 44-240 SWC GC in my Dan wesson with a 8" barrel. I use the Lyman 429-244 SWC GC when I switch the barrel to my 4" in the DW that has a muzzle break on it. It's easier to handle this heavier bullet (265gr. with my mix). They are both verry accurate.

[GLL]

Matt:

The Ballisti-Cast #1103 and Miha's copy are VERY faithful to the original H&G #503 but to me the RCBS 44-250-KT/SWC is a different design. I have the #1103, Miha's HP version, and a couple of the RCBS molds. All of them make very nice (accurate) bullets for my .44 Specials !

The Ballisti-Cast #1103 is an exact copy of the H&G #503
http://www.fototime.com/310E9313ECA8D59/standard.jpg

An old IDEAL 429421 just for reference:
http://www.fototime.com/0063A6EFA35740F/standard.jpg

Jerry

[Blackhawk Convertable]

I don't buy RCBS molds because they are only 2 cavity at the most. If they made 4 or 6 cavity molds, I'd be all over them.

[cbrick]

I'll keep buying RCBS molds, they are some of the highest quality regular production molds you can buy and they have some exceptional bullet designs available.

On the other hand I agree completely about that pesky 2 cav thing. If RCBS would start making their bullet designs in 4 cav I would buy many of my RCBS molds all over again.

Rick

[happy7]

I just made a trade and I will be getting a 250KT and a 225SWC to add to my 245 SWC and 240 SWC. When they come in I will will to post a lineup picture of all four boolits.

[azrednek]

I've been using the 44-225-SWC (GC) in 44 Special with excellent results. I shoot it with the gas check in max or near max loads and bare assed and tumble lubed in milder loads. Shot to shot accuracy is simply superb. It was my first RCBS mold and since with one exception of a mold from Miha all my new mold purchases have and will continue to be from RCBS or Miha.

[7x57]

This is my RCBS 44-245-KT. With WW it drops them at .432". I have some loaded up, but I haven't had a chance to see how they shoot.


http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n212/msj348/DSC00704-Copy-2.jpg

[happy7]

That is different looking with the narrow base band.


This is my RCBS 44-245-KT. With WW it drops them at .432". I have some loaded up, but I haven't had a chance to see how they shoot.


http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n212/msj348/DSC00704-Copy-2.jpg

[GLL]

7X57:

Interesting that your 44-245-KT has a wide front band and a narrow base band while mine is just the opposite !
RCBS molds had a lot of variation through the years !

Jerry

[7x57]

GLL,

Yes, I was looking at this thread and snapped a picture of mine since it was so different from the one you pictured. I don't know how old it is, I bought it used, no box, a year or so ago.

[happy7]

Does it show any evidence of having been milled down, possibly to repair damage to the top of the mold? That would explain the narrow base band. Is it lighter than you would expect it to be?

[happy7]

I appreciate all the pictures Jerry. In fact I appreciate all the pictures you have posted over the years. I was particularly interested to see the various versions that RCBS has labeled K or KT. And the side by side comparison of the Keith interpretations of other mold makers is very useful. I do like the wide bands on the 250KT. I am going to give those a try in my guns. A side by side acuracy comparison is tempting but I suspect that any accuracy differences will be minimal, and then who is to say if one of the others would be be more accurate with a different powder or in a different gun.

[stubshaft]

This is a photo of my 44-245-KT just for comparison purposes. It is one of the most accurate 44 boolits in my inventory.

[reader]

Here is more recent production of 44-250-K. Note the shorter first band.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_126484f1e5fc99dcd4.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=3578)

[7x57]

Does it show any evidence of having been milled down, possibly to repair damage to the top of the mold? That would explain the narrow base band. Is it lighter than you would expect it to be?

No, the mold blocks haven't been modified, and the bullets drop at 242-243gr.

[30hrrtt]

My 245 kt looks like stubshaft. It has a wide driving and middle band and a thinner base band but not quite as thin as 7x57.

It is the most accurate mold I have for 44. It shoots one hole groups with my scoped SRH at 50 with 19 of Wc820 and a mag primer.

[GLL]

My wish would be for RCBS to make the 44-250-K (#82080) with three equally wide bands and reduce the size of the crimp groove ! Offer it as a 4-cavity ! They would have an ideal designed .44 in my book ! :)

Jerry

[w30wcf]

happy7,
I have the 200 FN. Bullets weigh 214 grs. in ww alloy. Diameter is .428" and works very well in my 44-40 Marlin which has a .428" groove diameter.

It will make groups in the 1" range at 50 yards if I do my part.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o25/w30wcf/44-40bullets.jpg

w30wcf

[Lloyd Smale]

Ive got a bunch of 44 swc molds and accross the board the 240swcgc is the best shooting 44 bullet of any weight that ive used in my guns. Ive yet to find a gun that didnt shoot it well. It even shoots well in my marlin 44p that is an overall pour shooter. Ive allways said that if a 44 wont shoot that bullet well it just isnt going to shoot period.

[30hrrtt]

Thanks to Lloyds encouragement for the 240 swc gc for years and Beau Cassidy selling me his extra mold, I am now the proud owner of a RCBS 240 swc gc !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No time to try it for a while but still excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !

[happy7]

That is an interesting lineup. I really like the looks of the RCBS bullet. That is impressive accuracy you are getting. I think I will start keeping an eye out for one of those molds.


happy7,
I have the 200 FN. Bullets weigh 214 grs. in ww alloy. Diameter is .428" and works very well in my 44-40 Marlin which has a .428" groove diameter.

It will make groups in the 1" range at 50 yards if I do my part.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o25/w30wcf/44-40bullets.jpg

w30wcf

[Ben_51004]

I've got the RCBS 44-250-K from the early/mid '80's. Have run just about everything I could melt through it, from scrap soft lead to WW to straight linotype. Favorite lube is Javolina. Have shot it through a bunch of .44 Ruger SBH's in both mag & .44 Special cases, as well as a S&W 624. Excellent accuracy; better than I can hold. One day I'll put it through the guns on my Ransom rest and see what it can really do.

[PWS]

Ive got a bunch of 44 swc molds and accross the board the 240swcgc is the best shooting 44 bullet of any weight that ive used in my guns. Ive yet to find a gun that didnt shoot it well. It even shoots well in my marlin 44p that is an overall pour shooter. Ive allways said that if a 44 wont shoot that bullet well it just isnt going to shoot period.

Pulling up an old thread but gotta give a shout out to RCBS on this bullet. It does the same for me.

[tygar]

I am interested in a little discussion of RCBS 44 molds.
I have the 44-245-SWC and the 44-240-SWC but I have not done too much with them yet.

I am really hoping for input from those who have actually used some of these, what you liked or didn't like, which you prefer, how well the bullets shot, etc.

I have had the 44-245 for 45+yrs & it's a good mold but I prefer the LYMAN 429421 which I've had for the same period. It casts as good & is a 4 banger. 2 bangers are 2 slo for pistol.

Both shot excellent. As for other RCBS 44 molds, don't know, only have the 2 & they have always been enough.

I do have other RCBS molds & they all are excellent but are rifle molds.

[Shuz]

Another good 4 banger is a Saeco 441. Very similar to the 429421,H&G 503, and RCBS 44-250K.

[9w1911]

Saeco 441 - just bought one from a member

Im addicted to the 44 swc

[rintinglen]

My wish would be for RCBS to make the 44-250-K (#82080) with three equally wide bands and reduce the size of the crimp groove ! Offer it as a 4-cavity ! They would have an ideal designed .44 in my book ! :)

Jerry
I second that motion. 4 is more: more is better.
I just cast up a few dozen the other day at the tag end of a 32 casting session. That old two banger makes good bullet casting seem easy. That boolit has been very accurate in every 44 I have tried it in, but was especially so in my old Redhawk. I truly regret parting with that gun now. I have another one, but I can not equal the results that first 7 1/2 inch gun gave me.