If you could have ONLY two moulds... which ones and why?

[TomBulls]

I've found most of my casting needs have been met by two moulds from Lee': The 312-185-1R (for the .303 Brit) and the 324-175-1R (for the 8mm Mauser).

The .312 mould can be sized down for a .308 bore, and is easily paper patched up to .316 for my Mosin-Nagant. In a pinch it can also be paper patched up to .325" for an 8mm.

The .323 mould sizes down to .314" with a little bit of effort, but it shoots really well in my Mosin-Nagant. It shoots reasonably well from my M48 8mm Mauser, and the .323" bullet can be easily patched up to .330" for my M95 Steyr in 8x56r.

These two moulds have been so good for me that I'm planning on getting an extra mould for each and having a machine shop remove the gas check. RCBS makes a really mean looking .338 flat point mould, and I'm half tempted to buy it in spite of the fact that I might not even need it if I can get the accuracy I want with a paper patched 8mm Mauser bullet.

[Hardcast416taylor]

The LEE 338 - 220 gives yeoman service in about all the different .338 cal. cartridges currently used and made.Robert

[fredj338]

It would be sort of caliber specific???

[TomBulls]

It would be sort of caliber specific???

I don't think it needs to be calibre specific, just which two moulds you pick if you could have only two, and why.

[Springfield]

A 9mm/38 and a 45 acp/Colt. So I guess the LEE 125gr 38 6 cav mould and my HM2 45 200gr 4 cav mould.

[Smoke4320]

Mihec 312 159 FP/HP ....O so many things I can do with this mold
NOE 459-350 FP/HP ...for all those big things I like to knock over

[texassako]

#1 would be my 358156 4 cavity because I have made it work well in several handguns and rifles. #2 would be my NOE 311331 since it works so well in several of my favorite rifles. I would have a lot of safe queens with only 2 molds.

[georgerkahn]

This is indeed a tough question for me to answer. Some of my moulds are for target shooting in calibers with j-bullets and cast boolits available. E.g., I'd be sad without my H&G50, H&G130bb for competition. However, there's a big "BUT", as for several calibers with bullets not readily available to me, that I cast is a necessity for my desire to shoot 'em. These include the .30, .32, and .35 Rems -- just as one group. Then there's my .44-40 Uberti Model 66...
You have asked a simple enough question, but I guess for me it's a tough one to answer.
BEST!
georgerkahn

[crawfobj]

158gr .358 SWC and 230gr .452 TC, unless I could come up with some kind of mold that soul make other molds.

[Bazoo]

358156 and 452374

Ive trimmed my guns and my desires down to a ruger blackhawk and a marlin 1894c in 357 magnum. The 358156 is the most versatile bullet for it. It has 2 crimp grooves, so you can load 357 loads in 38 special casings. It has a gas check groove for heavy loads.

On the other mould, I carry a 45 automatic, 1911A1. I like 230 grain ball ammo.

[geargnasher]

Cabin fever much? :kidding:

Gear

[country gent]

If we could only have 2 moulds then friends would really become important so as to swap around for more selection. LOL

[18Bravo]

crawfobj nailed it for me also. The .358 SWC lets me shoot the .38's and the .357's while the Lee 230gr .452 TC still allows the use of the 45ACP and 45 Colt. Guess I'd have a boat load of weapons to sell......

[WALLNUTT]

if I could only have 2 molds I'd have to sell several firearms.

[georgerkahn]

That is indeed a great observation, country gent! The operational questions for me, though, imho, involve the myriads of different firearms out there; plus, to be frank, the level of "care" which may be -- or not be -- given to loaned moulds. A friend is a librarian, and she oft' comments re books returned which look better than when signed out -- and, the "others" ;). IF this was a "perfect world", perhaps; but, even still, often encountered is the same model firearm with different throats and barrel groove diameters. Again, though, I do respect your observation, and wish it would be do-able!
BEST!
georgrkahn

[country gent]

I routinely have friends over when I cast ( for saftey reasons as well as company) My casting pot is big enough for 3 people to sit around it casting. We routinly swap moulds back and forth with no issues. It can be done and it works well to "try" a new bullet with out buying the mould. Several times I have sent bullets to memebrs on here to test before buying a mould.

[dragon813gt]

if I could only have 2 molds I'd have to sell several firearms.

I'd be selling firearms and safes. This question is an impossibility for me since I shoot to many different firearms.

[altheating]

What am I going to do with the rest of my guns?

[flylot]

I think .45acp for the 1911 and 9mm for wife's gun and my UZI.

[kweidner]

this makes my crazy eye start to twitch lol. Don't really want to think about it. One would have to be a 41 mag. Inside 100 yds I can take anything I want even if it gets a little messy. Can I leave it there for now cause to decide wich one in …41 would have situational reasons. The other would be a one -of 30 cal that is MOA to as far as I have shot to 150 now but Will stretch it out farther soon. I would have to sell a ton of daggum molds and weapons though..........wait a minute do I get to keep my swage press and dies?

[Yodogsandman]

Two molds in calibers I don't have. Then I'd need more guns. More fun!

[mattw]

I would have to have a 41 mag 230 SWC and a 357 WFN 180. These would feed all of my 41's and all of my 38 Spec/357 rounds and would make good defense or hunting rounds in either pistols or rifles.

[walltube]

Is this one of those trick questions? Ya know, like during an interrogatory... I cannot, for the life of me, imagine having but two moulds. Ever. How can that be...:shock: ???


TomBulls, thanks for asking. I really must go now.
Regards,
Wt.

[TomBulls]

Is this one of those trick questions? Ya know, like during an interrogatory... I cannot, for the life of me, imagine having but two moulds. Ever. How can that be...:shock: ???


TomBulls, thanks for asking. I really must go now.
Regards,
Wt.

At least I didn't pose a false paradigm.... I'm trying to justify buying some more moulds from RCBS, but I'm not sure I need anymore for the calibres I shoot right now.

[kenyerian]

No way I could get by with two molds. I have three different calibers in muzzleloaders ,
(45, 50 and 54) 12 and 20 gauge slugs, 9 mm ,38 special, 357, 44 mag , 45acp and 45 colt. In rifles I mold for 22 hornet, 223, 270W, 7MM, 308, 7.62X39, 7.62 x 54and 338 WMag plus a 45-70 . What would be the fun in only two molds?

[btroj]

Easy, the one I'm using and the one I will use next.

As for buying more moulds, do what I do. Decide what you really expect those new moulds to do that existing ones don't. Will they be more accurate? Save lead? What real need can you determine exists to justify the purchase? Is is coming from a guy who tends to use one mould for one cartridge in most cases. I don't buy many moulds but do research each purchase before buying.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

AM 41-190W (195gr. WC)

Lee 22 Bator (that short fat boolit does better than most in my slow twist 22Hornet and 222rem guns)
.
.
.

Cabin fever much? :kidding:

Gear
Yeah, a little bit...but that is causing other problems for me, that are not internet related.

[Bigslug]

Penicillin and the one that makes Muenster cheese.

[GabbyM]

Just two. I'll simply have to cut that down to two molds for 30 caliber rifle. Even that's hard.

For my 30-30 Model 94 Winchester. Saeco 30-150-FN. Because it shoots great and fits nicely down my Star size press for mass volume production. Drop bullet in nose first. Base protrudes just enough to push a gas check onto, then stroke. Next bullet pushes out the one in die just like running pistol bullets. Longer 180 grain bullets are tippy and I just use my Lyman 4500 push pull at about 1/4 the production rate. Short front band to bore taper means they always chamber in my 94. Great volume load with no worries over function. Although they did not feed well in my daughters 336 Marlin. but that's just one more reason I'm not a marlin 336 fan.

30-06 boolit:
I have a beautiful brass three cavity MP mold by MiHec in Slovenia. It's a HP with a couple pin sizes and a FN pin. 180 grain with a tapered nose like Lyman's #311332. It's just to good to do without. By altering alloy and HP pin I can tailor a load to either blow up on a varmint or punch through a 300 pound animal.

That's my two bullets. However for bear or anything large. I'd want one of my 200 or 220 grain 30 calibers with no compromise.
However while I've been bear hunting. I've no immediate plans for such a hunt. I do have a box of 100 Sierra 220 grain RN that would get that bear hunt done on the cheep. But in my real world I have a long wait on an MP 215 grain Hp boolit mold. And a couple 200 grain boolit molds I like. But yes if I had to I could run a 150 and 180 grain 30 caliber. Fact is though I've never been that hungry.

[Blanket]

I have a machine shop, I would just make more. Same as if you could only have one gun thread

[fredj338]

I don't think it needs to be calibre specific, just which two moulds you pick if you could have only two, and why.
Ok, since I shoot 45acp the most, My Magma 200gr TC. Just because it is so common a caliber, my Lyman 175gr/RNFP/40. Both on my Magma caster. The one gun possibility is more likely.

[walltube]

Just having a bit of fun, TomBulls. Please take no offence. You did pose a serious question.

I can in no way give an honest reply to "limit or justify" to any boolit caster as to how many moulds, in number, he may own. For example, I have bought firearms, pistol and rifle, for which I had no mould that would match the caliber. Or bore. Buying the gun was my justification. Or, I'd buy a discontinued mould because is was declared as 'now out-of-production'. Back in the day e-Bay was my single most source of moulds. Buy the mould, find a gun to fit. Fertile ground for a psycho-analytical exam? There have been whispers in my absence...... :lol:


Please take note: none of the above put my house in financial jeopardy.
Best Regards,
Wt.

[TomBulls]

Ha, most people do it the other way around! They find a gun they want to shoot and then go find a mould to make it shoot better! However, it is the cheaper investment to start with a mould....

[dragon813gt]

Ha, most people do it the other way around! They find a gun they want to shoot and then go find a mould to make it shoot better! However, it is the cheaper investment to start with a mould....

I have molds, dies, brass and sizers for firearms(as in multiple) I don't own...yet. W/ oddball cartridges it's best to have everything lined up before you purchase the gun. No point in me owning a gun if I can't make ammo for it.

[TomBulls]

I have molds, dies, brass and sizers for firearms(as in multiple) I don't own...yet. W/ oddball cartridges it's best to have everything lined up before you purchase the gun. No point in me owning a gun if I can't make ammo for it.

Oddly, it all makes perfect sense to me.

[dtknowles]

I've found most of my casting needs have been met by two moulds from Lee': The 312-185-1R (for the .303 Brit) and the 324-175-1R (for the 8mm Mauser).

The .312 mould can be sized down for a .308 bore, and is easily paper patched up to .316 for my Mosin-Nagant. In a pinch it can also be paper patched up to .325" for an 8mm.

The .323 mould sizes down to .314" with a little bit of effort, but it shoots really well in my Mosin-Nagant. It shoots reasonably well from my M48 8mm Mauser, and the .323" bullet can be easily patched up to .330" for my M95 Steyr in 8x56r.

These two moulds have been so good for me that I'm planning on getting an extra mould for each and having a machine shop remove the gas check. RCBS makes a really mean looking .338 flat point mould, and I'm half tempted to buy it in spite of the fact that I might not even need it if I can get the accuracy I want with a paper patched 8mm Mauser bullet.


Are you kidding me? Maybe two in each caliber, 50, 45, 44, 35, 32, 30, 25, 6mm, 22.

Tim

[MaLar]

Only two??!! I need way more than that.

[labradigger1]

Easy question. Lyman 429421 4 cavity and noe 311202 brass 4 cav with 3 sets of pins.
44 mould will cover my revolvers and levers
Noe mould will cover all my 30 calibers.
Lab

[GabbyM]

Easy question. Lyman 429421 4 cavity and noe 311202 brass 4 cav with 3 sets of pins.
44 mould will cover my revolvers and levers
Noe mould will cover all my 30 calibers.
Lab

I applaud your success in keeping your life simple. But how can any American man live without a 38 Special revolver? I just can't imagine.

[labradigger1]

I applaud your success in keeping your life simple. But how can any American man live without a 38 Special revolver? I just can't imagine.
Not hard at all, once I got a 44 the 38's and 357's lost their appeal for me. I honestly cannot think of one thing either of the formers can do better, other than less lead and powder.

[GabbyM]

Also:: if you don't have a 222 Rem, 22 Hornet, 221 Fireball or such shooting cast boolits you are missing out on one of life's great pleasures. That alone takes three molds. Slinging 22 caliber rifle boolits at 2,400 fps is not to be underestimated in the hunt or just plain over the field paper punching fun value.

[shoot-n-lead]

Lee 125gr .358 and Lyman 429421...

[labradigger1]

Also:: if you don't have a 222 Rem, 22 Hornet, 221 Fireball or such shooting cast boolits you are missing out on one of life's great pleasures. That alone takes three molds. Slinging 22 caliber rifle boolits at 2,400 fps is not to be underestimated in the hunt or just plain over the field paper punching fun value.
Op ask for two moulds. If I had to pick only 2 it would be the 30 and 44 cals, they can be loaded up or down to shoot a squirrel or loade up for a grizzly. Would not think twice about a 202 grn solid 06' for a bear or a 44 reduced load for rabbits or squirrel. That being said, if I had three to pick from my third would be a Lyman 225438gc. Pretty much would cover anything I would ever use a 22 cal for.
Lab

[GabbyM]

Not hard at all, once I got a 44 the 38's and 357's lost their appeal for me. I honestly cannot think of one thing either of the formers can do better, other than less lead and powder.

You are tougher than I.
I did rip my wrist up while motto cross riding as a youth. Knuckles touching the top side of forearm bending back. Tennis elbow from playing tennis with Conner's steel racket. On a daily basis I don't feel any of that but fifty rounds of 44 mag with 10.0 grains Unique under 240 grain cast and I hurt for a week. Even 8.0 grains does it. Actually think a load of 2400 is easier on me plus faster. But I get in the grove with a K frame 38. I own 3,000 cases and emptied them last year with some help. Have a thousand left to reload before switching calibers this winter. Loaded up 500 44 mags about fourteen years ago and have not gone through them yet. No plans to give up my 6 inch barrel 44 magnum however. Since it does deliver a huge can of whoop. Especially with my MiHec 255gr HP on varmints. I just don't practice with it or carry the heavy thing around on the farm. It does go hunting and it does out smack a 38 big time. But nothing has ever run away from my 38's or my 9mm in the last forty years. but I only shot at little critters.

[dtknowles]

Not hard at all, once I got a 44 the 38's and 357's lost their appeal for me. I honestly cannot think of one thing either of the formers can do better, other than less lead and powder.

Well, less lead and powder does seem to be sufficient justification to me, that would even pay for the mould.

Tim

[rockrat]

I would be having Mould Acquisition Syndrome withdrawals!!!


Would have to have two custom moulds made. six cavity, with 2 holes a 30 cal, probably 170-200gr , another two 45 cal rifle at about 375gr and two holes a 429421 clone @.433". Second mould would be two holes 35 cal, about 135gr like and expanded Lee 125gr, two holes 45 cal pistol, a 225 gr boolit @.454" and the final two also 35 cal but 180gr rnfp.

[gmsharps]

I would have to go with a light 22 cal mold to work in a 22 hornet, 223 and a 22-250. Then a 45 cal mold in the 250 range to work in 45 Colt, 45 Acp and squib 45-70 and 45-60. That would be hard to get 2 molds to all of that but would be doable if that was all there was.

gmsharps

[Crusty Deary Ol'Coot]

As was said on another post, what am I going to do with my other guns.

Then, no matter which guns I'd need to leave out, none of the molds would be Lee.

In fact, I have some Lee 6 cavity molds I wish I would not have bought and may well sell.

I'll gladly pay the difference and have Tom at Accurate Molds make some quality replacements.

You do get what you pay for!

Crusty Deary Ol'Coot

[georgerkahn]

You have my envy, country gent! I know of only two other casters in my area, and one is exclusive .45acp (H&G130) for his personal shooting, as well as club member sales of this boolit. While my smelting set-up -- a Northern Tool propane burner with a DCROCKETT 1/2-freon tank atop it -- would permit more than just me (up-wind, of course) use, sad, too, it is my casting set-up would be too small for multiple users. Again, I'm happy for you! And -- I'd suspect 99.99% of this forum members would be "safe bets" re mould loan.
BEST!
georgerkahn

[Shuz]

For my vote, I'd go with MP-431-256HP in 4C, and Lyman's 358009.

[ballistim]

NOE 311-165 RF RD & Lee 457-405-F, that would let me shoot all my 30 caliber guns & .45-70, tough call though since I'd like to include the NOE copy of the RCBS 358-200 to use in my .357 Maximum Contender & .358 Winchester-would hate to not be able to cast for them!

[smokeywolf]

Probably an NOE 460-350. Could be used with or without check in 45-70. Could be used without check and HPed in 45-60.
69 cal. ball mould in case brass, primers or smokeless powder became unobtainable. Would never want to be without a fliinter.

smokeywolf

[Mk42gunner]

I've found most of my casting needs have been met by two moulds from Lee': The 312-185-1R (for the .303 Brit) and the 324-175-1R (for the 8mm Mauser).

The .312 mould can be sized down for a .308 bore, and is easily paper patched up to .316 for my Mosin-Nagant. In a pinch it can also be paper patched up to .325" for an 8mm.

The .323 mould sizes down to .314" with a little bit of effort, but it shoots really well in my Mosin-Nagant. It shoots reasonably well from my M48 8mm Mauser, and the .323" bullet can be easily patched up to .330" for my M95 Steyr in 8x56r.

These two moulds have been so good for me that I'm planning on getting an extra mould for each and having a machine shop remove the gas check. RCBS makes a really mean looking .338 flat point mould, and I'm half tempted to buy it in spite of the fact that I might not even need it if I can get the accuracy I want with a paper patched 8mm Mauser bullet.

I believe I would have to go with what beagle called the "Thinking Man's Mold" (article on castpics). I would go with something like two four cavity molds with one hole for each of the following boolits:

3118 or a reasonable facsimile for .32 cal handguns and .30/.31 cal rifles.
358429 or 156 useable in most .38/357/.35 rifles. (Really most any 150-170 SWC.)
452460 .45 ACP
452424 .45 Colt (works very well in my Marlin Cowboy).
RCBS 35-200 .35 rifles
RCBS 30-180 FN
225438
257420
and if I can squeeze it in a copy of the H&G 65 .32 cal 100 gr SWC

If I go with a five cavity from Tom at Accurate molds, I still have room for one more, if he cut smaller than .30 cal. In which case I would go with a round ball I just can't decide if I want a .375" or a .530".

Robert

[GoodOlBoy]

Old lee single cav .454 255gr RNFP, and Lee 405gr .459 Hollow base.

GoodOlBoy

[Hickok]

I know it is boring to hear time and time again, but Lyman #429421 and Lyman #358429.

Kinda' like the 30/06 cartridge, and the 1911 45 ACP pistol, often imitated, never duplicated!

[RoyEllis]

I couldn't get by with 2 molds, just my BP guns take way more.... .31 .36 & .44 pistols, .32 .45 .50 & .54 rifles.

[goblism]

miha 434640 HP
Lee 6 cavity 120gr 358 TC

Reason being is 44 cal bullets are spending, i shoot 9 quite a bit, and the 358 mold can be used for swaging 40 cal bullets

[samwithacolt]

Lee .312 160 and lee .40 6 cav. The .312 feeds my SKS, .308 bolt and my M14. The .40 feeds my NP40 and JR carbine. With those I can hunt and plink.

[Duster340]

Well, I reload .44 Mag & Special more than anything. So if I could only have 2 molds, I'd have to go with my 255 gr SWC and 200 gr FN. While I really enjoy playing with various Full WC molds (116, 162 & 208 gr), they just fill a "niche", but nothing either the heavy SWC od 200 gr FN couldn't do.

[jethunter]

I am trying to think of a situation or circumstances that would force me to give up all my molds except two.
Like deciding which two fingers you want to keep.... I'll wait until I actually need to decide because it's too painful to contemplate without a good reason for it.

[sw282]

H&G #503 250gr Keith 44 SWC and my H&G #50 148gr 38 WC

[TXGunNut]

per cartridge? That's doable. ;) I cast boolits in at least eight different calibers not counting frontstuffers so a total of two moulds simply wouldn't do in my case.

[3 gun Gus]

My 8 cavity H&G#68 and my 10 cavity H&G#50.