SSK Design mold by NEI

[johnly]

Bought a NEI made 310 gr. SSK design 44 caliber mold from a friend that sold his 44.

What a wonderful mold and design. Bullets drop clean and bright from the mold at a fuzz over .430" I can wait to size them in a .430" die try it in my 444 lever gun.

John

[blaser.306]

Any hints on casting yoiur gems! I also have the same mould that I am having a devil of a time getting to cast much better than about .428 at any temp with an alloy that is just short of 50/50 lino/ww mix. I want to shoot this in a .445 supermag and need .430"

[johnly]

Sorry to hear that your mold drops sub-size bullets. I avoid RCBS molds for the same reason, I like the designs but they often drop bullets that have too small of an OD.

Is your mold of NEI manufacture? Mine was machined in Canyon City and marked 311 429 JDJ ".430" cavities and will cast .001" to .002" when hot."

It would be a mold worthy of a NOE group buy. I'd like to have one in GC HP format for hunting.

John

[stubshaft]

I had that mold and still have the 200gr .358 mold. They were both made by Walt and cast oversize. The 44 would cast .423 and the 358 casts .361 both with hardball alloy. The 44 worked great in my 445, but I sold it to the same guy that bought my gun. I use the 358 for my Marlin 1894C.

[blaser.306]

The mould that I have is a NEI , made by Walt ( due to box markings a0 all of the markings on the blocks are the same as your's . It is quote to say that it will cast .430 + .001-.002 when hot, Perhaps I am not casting it hot enough? I tried to get interest in a group buy a while back but it died a quiet death , There did not appear to be any desire for a T/C type boolit! I for one would like this style with a gas check added. Might be worth another look? Any ideas with the mould that I have would be appreciated.

[johnly]

The mould that I have is a NEI , made by Walt ( due to box markings a0 all of the markings on the blocks are the same as your's . It is quote to say that it will cast .430 + .001-.002 when hot, Perhaps I am not casting it hot enough? I tried to get interest in a group buy a while back but it died a quiet death , There did not appear to be any desire for a T/C type boolit! I for one would like this style with a gas check added. Might be worth another look? Any ideas with the mould that I have would be appreciated.

I don't think that running the mold hotter will do the trick. I measured the first bullet case in a cold mold and it was at least .429" in diameter.

John

[Irascible]

I have an original 310gr ( 1 crimp groove) which casts very well and sizeable to .431 from 10WW to 1 50/50 solder. It was made by NEI and is extremely accurate over 21gr of 296/H110 with a Federal or CCI mag primer. I had another mould that cast the 220gr in one cavity and the 260gr in another. I sold it because it was like having a single cavity mould. Recently I had MT Moulds make me a brass two cavity for each of those bullets. A accurate copy of the 220could not be designed on his program but I got one which I think is better. It has a thicker base band but only one larger grease groove. Shoots well.
When I designed the 260gr I was able to copy the SSK bullet almost exactly. The exception was the sharp edge on the meplat. Other than that, I can't tell the SSK from the Mountain. He wasn't happy with the multiple small grease grooves and seemed to think an aluminum mould would cast them better than the brass I chose. Anyway, I got the 220 about a month ago and it is superb. I got the 260 2 days ago and cast with it last night. Works very well also, but I did need to pressure feed it. If it shoots as good as the one I sold I'll be happy. The 220 gr sure does :>)

[seagiant]

Hi,
Thought I would contribute a little. I was at my favorite local Gun Shop some years back now and was going thru a box of old LEE 2 cav. molds when I came across a NEI mixed in the bunch in a round nose 9MM type boolit. I did not care for the style but bought the mold for $15 anyway!

At this time Walt had just died and the new guy was making the molds,when I called and said I'd like the mold recut with the SSK design 226 330 Gr boolit he said he would do it for $35! I could not resist! This has turned into my go to boolit for my Lone Eagle 444 Marline pistol and is very accurate! Here's a link to a Glen Fryxell article about the SSK boolits!

http://www.sixguns.com/crew/sskbullets.htm

[Irascible]

I tried to contact NEI to see if they would cut new moulds for the SSK bullets and could not get an aswer from them. Probably because CorBon holds the rights to the bullet designs which they purchased from JD. So I went to Mountain Moulds. Corbon used to sell the moulds but stopped. I asked JD why he doesn't sell the moulds anymore? "I got tired of giving dailey casting lessons on the phone!"

[seagiant]

Hi,
Does Mountaim Mould have the design or do you just put it in yourself on his design program? I wouldn't mind having one in 41 mag!

[GLynn41]

you would have to put it in I think -- I have the .41 275 gr version --it casts.412 and weigh around 290 and it was made when Walt was there

[Irascible]

You have to enter it in. Luckily, I had bullets from the original moulds to copy. I don't have a 41 bullet, but if you have a fax machine, I can fax you a copy of my specs and you can change where needed.

[GLynn41]

tell me whaat you want from mine and I give them if you want mine is the 275 gr .411

[Irascible]

One would need;
1) The approximate weight
2) The length of the nose from the center of the crimp groove.
3) The dia of the meplat in inches or percent of bullet dia.
4) The dia and length of the short, straight, bore riding section at the base of the nose.
5) The width and number of the driving bands and grease grooves. especially the width of the top and bottom band.
Actually I wouldn't mind having this info myself, thanks for offering :>)

[Irascible]

50% WW / 50% Lino will give you about 2.25% tin and 7.50% Antimony. I would increase the tin content. You may have to go as high as 5% tin if the mould is casting that small

[Petander]

Bump.

I can't believe I just found this mold,going through my molds,looking for something else. I don't know when I got or bought or traded this one,all I know I never cast or loaded this bullet,not until just now.

Mine has three crimp grooves,I wonder what version this one is? Drops .4315 using WW with 10% monotype now.

Weight,length and meplat are like SSK 44 mentioned in the Fryxell article, linked earlier in this thread.

https://i.postimg.cc/q7FJv4LP/IMG-20201026-052511-981.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/WbfJxFqV/IMG-20201026-052140.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/sXDjVmbN/IMG-20201026-035730.jpg

[Teemu]

Nice. That's looks older version of NEI's mold. Walt's era....

[44MAG#1]

The 2 crimp groove bullet WAS NOT the first 44 caliber JD designed and used. The first had a single crimp groove and 3 small lube grooves. I have one of the first design that I bought straight from JD many, many, many years ago. The 2 crimp groove and one lube groove bullet came later.
The 310.429 that is

[Petander]

https://i.postimg.cc/d39GbZFr/IMG-20201027-161603-226.jpg

[475AR]

I have been trying for the last year to get a set of the SSK design molds or as cast bullets from said molds. I have some of the 45 caliber bullets as well as picked up a couple of the 44 molds. If anyone would send me a few as cast bullets from the 41 and 358 molds I would get them drawn up. I have had one that I did for the 480 Ruger and had Tom @ accurate molds cut it and it came out great.
270275

[Petander]

I have been trying for the last year to get a set of the SSK design molds or as cast bullets from said molds. I have some of the 45 caliber bullets as well as picked up a couple of the 44 molds. If anyone would send me a few as cast bullets from the 41 and 358 molds I would get them drawn up. I have had one that I did for the 480 Ruger and had Tom @ accurate molds cut it and it came out great.
270275

Oh this would be such a great re-make, I for one would jump into a 4 banger 44 right away.

Even though we are not allowed to hunt with handguns here in Finland... I have always enjoyed heavy-for-caliber bullets unless we talk varmint rifles.

https://i.postimg.cc/m20NL7q4/IMG-20201028-152422.jpg

[475AR]

Oh this would be such a great re-make, I for one would jump into a 4 banger 44 right away.

Even though we are not allowed to hunt with handguns here in Finland... I have always enjoyed heavy-for-caliber bullets unless we talk varmint rifles.

https://i.postimg.cc/m20NL7q4/IMG-20201028-152422.jpg

I did finally pick up an SSK 320GR 44 mold and started a drawing and still need to tweak it, it is a PB mold but if I can get a couple of GC bullets I can do a GC version as well.
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[44MAG#1]

I did finally pick up an SSK 320GR 44 mold and started a drawing and still need to tweak it, it is a PB mold but if I can get a couple of GC bullets I can do a GC version as well.
270404

Where did you get the mold? I have a real SSK mold and the nose of the bullet isn't that long.

[475AR]

Where did you get the mold? I have a real SSK mold and the nose of the bullet isn't that long.
I haven't had a chance to measure a bullet from the mold yet, this is my version, I hope to be able to do the SSK drawing later this week.

[fenderman57]

I sent Tom at Accurate a picture of a bullet from my SSK 311-429 mold It was a 2 crimp groove and single lube groove. I wanted another crimp groove added for a lever action 444. we came up with adding 2 more crimp grooves for revolvers and lever action 44 and 444 rifles. The plain base, http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=43-335G-D.png and gas check, http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=43-335GG-D.png. With my alloy they both weigh 338 grs. sized and lubed. And yes, it is accurate in a slow twist 444 once the velocity is over 1800 fps.

[475AR]

I sent Tom at Accurate a picture of a bullet from my SSK 311-429 mold It was a 2 crimp groove and single lube groove. I wanted another crimp groove added for a lever action 444. we came up with adding 2 more crimp grooves for revolvers and lever action 44 and 444 rifles. The plain base, http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=43-335G-D.png and gas check, http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=43-335GG-D.png. With my alloy they both weigh 338 grs. sized and lubed. And yes, it is accurate in a slow twist 444 once the velocity is over 1800 fps.

I thought all SSK TC designs were bore ride designs?

[megasupermagnum]

I thought all SSK TC designs were bore ride designs?

I had a 38, 41, and 44 caliber version. I've also seen a second 355 grain 44 caliber gas checked version, Every SSK handgun bullet design I've seen has been a bore riding TC nose design.

@44MAG#1, I've also got the original 310 mold. Mine drops around 326 grains with COWW. A while back I was asked to draw it for a possible group buy. Unfortunately that buy never took off. I do still have the sketch though. It isn't the longest nose bullet for 44 magnum, but it is rather long. It is nice in that it works in just about anything, model 29's, blackhawks, redhawks, TC's, you name it.


270628

[300redbeard]

I've been looking for a SSK 44 320 mold. Can someone direct me to where I can have a copy replicated/made?
Thanks

[475AR]

[QUOTE=300redbeard;5023740]I've been looking for a SSK 44 320 mold. Can someone direct me to where I can have a copy I I


I would see if magasupermag had any issues if you sent his drawing to Tom @ accurate molds and Tom will cut you a beautiful work of art. Or if you want you can use mine but understand that it isn't an exact copy of the SSK Bore ride TC bullet and you would need to verify if it would fit in your gun. The nose on mine is longer than the SSK design from what magasupermag drew.

[megasupermagnum]

I've been looking for a SSK 44 320 mold. Can someone direct me to where I can have a copy replicated/made?
Thanks

Either send that drawing I have above to Accurate molds, or use the program on Mountain molds website to copy it. The only thing I would do is ask that it cast .431" +.002". It's way easier to size down, than make them bigger.

[300redbeard]

Thank you gentlemen. I will look into Accurate Molds. My FA83 uses 0.430 and my 629 uses 0.432 diameter bullets. Be nice to have one mold for both guns.

[megasupermagnum]

Thank you gentlemen. I will look into Accurate Molds. My FA83 uses 0.430 and my 629 uses 0.432 diameter bullets. Be nice to have one mold for both guns.

One thing I forgot to mention. Neither of those makers can do rounded lube grooves. I would recommend approximate same width lube grooves, but use a regular 45 degree angle, flat bottom groove.

[475AR]

One thing I forgot to mention. Neither of those makers can do rounded lube grooves. I would recommend approximate same width lube grooves, but use a regular 45 degree angle, flat bottom groove.
Tom @ Accurate Molds can do rounded grease grooves, I had him cut a mold for my 480 Ruger and had him do rounded grooves.
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270771

[300redbeard]

475AR, I see your mold throws some no lube groove bullets. What are you coating those with? Velocities? I've used coated 45 acp 180gr match bullets for bullseye competition, but I only running them around 650-700 fps
Thanks

[475AR]

475AR, I see your mold throws some no lube groove bullets. What are you coating those with? Velocities? I've used coated 45 acp 180gr match bullets for bullseye competition, but I only running them around 650-700 fps
Thanks
They are for the 480 Ruger, I haven't got to load developed for them yet. They cast @ 400gr and I Hi-tec coat them and have shot a couple of cylinder fulls (about 20 rounds) at what I guess is 950fps. Which is where I want the load to be at. Once I get some time I hope to get an accurate load in that range for pig hunting in heavy brush.