Oversize Moulds

[No_1]

In chat we have discussed the idea of making runs of common as well as obsolete moulds that drop bullets at a larger size using W/W than they were originally designed to do using the lead mix that was popular at the time they were designed.

The advantage to this is we could get a mould that drops more bullets per cast, drops them at a larger size that would be usable in rifles that are on the high side of groove tolerance and would use the "parent" bullet designer's top punch for ease of sizing. These would not be EXACT duplicates of the "parent" bullet but "IMPROVED" versions.

A perfect example that comes to mind at the moment is a bullet that is for the 8MM cartridge. The Lyman 323471. This is (in my opinion) a sweet looking bullet. Can we find it? I doubt it. But it could be made and in an improved version that would be "well worn barrel" 8MM rifle friendly. It would be called CBL323(3)471 which would equal IMPROVED Lyman .323 + .003 - 471.

To better explain the new name, lets say we wanted a IMPROVED run of the popular RCBS 458-405RNFP that drops at .461
We would name these somewhat after the parent mould so they could be identified easily but use something like "CB" in the front to show it is a IMPROVED version, the letter "R" after "CB" to show who manufactured the parent so we would be able to identify a easily purchased / ready to use top punch and then a number behind the original size to indicate show how much bigger this IMPROVED version would drop the bullets.

Example of above. "CBR458(3)-405RNFP" which would be = IMPROVED RCBS .458 + .003 - 405 grain - Round nose flat point.

We could poll for the popular or odd moulds, figure which ones first, get them made on a affordable schedule and see what happens?

Questions or Comments?

[Frank46]

Robert, most of my lyman moulds drop at 458 and only one goes to 459 with wheel weights. The two rcbs moulds 300gr and 400gr only barely get to 458. My ruger #1 would dearly like a 460 or better diameter bullet. So iffen someone plans to have rcbs do a 460 or better diameter you can count on me for an order. The fatter the better.
You havemy vote for a "fat 45" Frank

[Buckshot]

..............Sounds like an idea.

.............Buckshot

[Urny]

CBL311(3)413. Sounds good to me.

[C1PNR]

I am ALL in favor of a CBL323(3)471!!! I've just got too much throat to fill on these "veteran" barrels!;-)

Will that work in a 6 cavity?

[No_1]

I am ALL in favor of a CBL323(3)471!!! I've just got too much throat to fill on these "veteran" barrels!;-)

Will that work in a 6 cavity?
That one is more of a pointy bullet I believe. I am not sure if it is a throat filler if that is what you are after. Does anyone other have desires for one of these?

[No_1]

CBL311(3)413. Sounds good to me.
That is a nice one too! Any takers on this one yet?

[Urny]

If the custom order mold feeding frenzy ever lets up, I would like to try to run the 311413, if there is enough interest. In the recent past, and near future, there have been too many others that have absorbed my time and money for me to be getting in a rush over this one. Heck, I haven't had an opportunity to cast since NCBS '05, and have seven or eight, gad, I think it's ten, new to me molds that remain undisturbed by my casting efforts. No rush.

[No_1]

I would like one of these too. There are 2 of us interested now in that design. Since you are not in anymore hurry than me, we will wait till there is more interest in it then when we have maybe 1/2 the people needed for a run we can push it hard and see what happens.

[brimic]

The .323" grrove diameter on a mauser seems to be a nominal figure. I have 15 or so mauser 98s in 7.92x57 and the tightest barrel on any of them is .3235" in the grooves, with some as high as .3255"
I really like the idea of an oversized 8mm mould.

[No_1]

It must be wonderful to have such a collection of 98's.

On another note, the +.003 oversize idea is that it will allow us to size down to something which will fit our rifles. There are many ways to make an existing mould bigger but I think it would be easier for us lazy types to size the bullet down. I will keep an watch on this thread to see how many have interest in this design and when we get 12- 13 interest in this one we will push hard for a run. . As you saw in an earlier post we have 2 interest on another mould. I am not promising anything but will try to honcho as many of these "oversize" moulds as I can.


The .323" grrove diameter on a mauser seems to be a nominal figure. I have 15 or so mauser 98s in 7.92x57 and the tightest barrel on any of them is .3235" in the grooves, with some as high as .3255"
I really like the idea of an oversized 8mm mould.