Ideas and guidance on molds to buy

[gutpile]

Folks,

what other molds do we as a family need to add all, of these are Lee and I am looking to add some iron molds to our diet?

we feed SKS's, mosin-nagants, 30-06 bolts and garands, 308 bolt and semi, 25-06, 9mm, 45 acp, 44 mag rifle and pistol,357mag/38 rifle and pistol, 380acp and various shotguns 12,16,20 and of course muzzleloaders Smokeless and traditional

for 9mm and 38/357 and 380 all of these cast @.359
358-140gr SWC
358-158gr RF (LBt style)
356-120gr-TC

for 44Mag
c430-310-RF (LBT style) casts @ .4315


45 ACP
452-230 grain TC

smokeless ML
c452-300 RF (LBT) sized to .451


for 500s&w and 54 cal ML sabot and papaer patched in the 50 cal ML
c501-440-RF (LBT) mold has had the gas check removed and is now around 460 grains

30 cal rifles
c309-150 grain-F casts@311
C309-170 grain-F casts @ 311
c311-155 grain 2R casts @ 313 (shoots great in everything we have.....)
c312-185 grain 2R drops @ 314

for bore sized conicals in 50 cal ML
515-500-F 500 grain sized down to .5025
shoot great in fast twist ML and kills like lightning!

.310 round ball used as gallery/small game load in 30 cal rifles and buckshot shot gun loads

1oz and 7/8 slug molds for 12ga

what I think we need to add

need a Heavy 25 cal mold for the 25-06(have not seen a Lee in this caliber)

a lighter 380 acp mold, a lighter 44 cal for plinking and small game possibly a round ball .430?
and a way to make #4 or #6 shot
i need ideas on Roundball sizes for 12, 16, 20

Looking for suggestions or ideas
Thanks
Gutpile

[williamwaco]

I would suggest you forget about adding "iron molds".

I think you should select your new bullet design first based on your firearm and the bullet use. THEN search for a manufacturer that has a design you like. THEN worry about mold block metal.

[knifemaker]

I would consider brass molds from Accurate molds over iron molds any day. Also I have had very good results with molds from NOE if you want to stay with Alum. molds. Going to their web sites and looking at the numerous designs is like a kid walking into a candy store and trying to decide what flavor of candy you want. Ranch dog also turned out some very good mold designs for the lever action rifles I used them in. Too bad he is no longer making molds.

[runfiverun]

iron ,aluminum ,whatever.
i pick boolit styles that most closely match my rifles throat and have the appropriate lube groove type for my style of lubing.

[gutpile]

I agree after looking at NOE molds......so for defense, plinking and hunting i need a 200 gr 44 cal mold, a heavyweight 30 cal
and a heavy .258 rifle mold....too bad I cannot get them all cut in one set of blocks LOL

[runfiverun]

you usta could.
you might still be able to, you'd have to talk to a custom maker about a flip mold.

[MT Gianni]

I think you need a classic swc like the 4429421 or a rf of around 240-260 gr in the 44 Magnum. If yo bought a Louverin type fp 30 cal mold around 150-165 gr you would never use any of the others except in the autos.