Ever buy a mold before owning the caliber it's for?

[chrisstophere]

I did just that. For some reason my gut told me not to let the mold get away and now I own a mold for a caliber I don't own and the wife is giving me tons of grief over the decision.

[69daytona]

I have a few times, first was brass, dies and a heavy 310 gr mold for a Dan Wesson 445 I didn't get for another 2 years, and just two days ago I bought molds for a 357SM and 375SM, made a deal with a guy to buy both guns this Monday so hope he doesn't back out.
its like the saying from that movie, if you build it they will come. So far it has been true.

[PB234]

"now I own a mold for a caliber I don't own and the wife is giving me tons of grief over the decision." Buy the firearm that the mold needs. Problem solved.

[Beagle333]

All the time..... dies and brass too..... because.., one day...!!!!!:bigsmyl2:

[duckey]

Nope, but I have some 1x fired 45-70 brass waiting for that gun. Been thinking about a mood though!

[Maximumbob54]

Yes, but I'm trying to cheat and use it anyways. It's Lee's clone of the RCBS 200gr RNFP and I'm trying to make a .357 magnum using .38 brass that will allow it to feed in a lever action. But I've also considered buying a .41 magnum mold and just sizing it down to use in 10mm and .40SW for kicks.

[Garyshome]

No unless i bought it to sell in the first place. Note: 2013 obama scare

[DerekP Houston]

No unless i bought it to sell in the first place. Note: 2013 obama scare

Haven't we had a run every year?

I'd use the mold as a great excuse to go gun shopping. Don't catch newgunitis!

[bdicki]

You can always trade it for one that you need.

[chrisstophere]

All the time..... dies and brass too..... because.., one day...!!!!!:bigsmyl2:
This exactly the thought that goes through my head!

[jmort]

Yes. About to do it again because I want to find an unappreciated bolt action rifle, and have JES convert it into a .338 Federal. So I will have a mold for a rifle that not only do I not own, but need to have converted to a new caliber. For sure my wife would never understand, but she pays no attention to my addictions.

[bangerjim]

It is part of the madness of any hobby!

Don't feel alone.

[UBER7MM]

Paper patch to the next size up. Problem solved, unless you don't have that caliber either......

[square butte]

Ayup - Couple of times at least

[waksupi]

I did just that. For some reason my gut told me not to let the mold get away and now I own a mold for a caliber I don't own and the wife is giving me tons of grief over the decision.


You say that like it's a bad thing!

[DerekP Houston]

Wait is this like buying shoes and then complaining that you have to "find an outfit" to match?

[chrisstophere]

Wait is this like buying shoes and then complaining that you have to "find an outfit" to match?
Haha, good comparison!

[sundog]

Yes, I ran one of the earliest group buys on the old Shooters board for David Mos 3589 (358009). Wow! What moulds! I wound up building a really nice 35 Whelen.

So the question begs, why would this be a problem?

[tunnug]

Yes, I've bought dies for calibers I want but haven't found the right priced gun, also bought a complete loader for a caliber I'm now looking for.

[dragon813gt]

All the time..... dies and brass too..... because.., one day...!!!!!:bigsmyl2:

Same here. Most are GBs that take a long time. I forget when I signed up for the MP 375 H&H buy. Now I have a rifle but not that mold. And I watched the Oreo GB go on and on and didn't sign up because I didn't have a 10mm. Thankfully he had some over runs :)

[bob208]

doesn't every body? I have done it with cars and motorcycles too. also machine tools.

[sghart3578]

Don't judge me!

[Dirtdgger]

I've done it several times. Couple gun shops I go to get molds in and price them cheap I see them and walk out with them. My problem is I just can't sell them I've even poured boolits out of them why I don't know. Just a addiction.

[bnelson06]

You are a prepper! Welcome to the club

[Yodogsandman]

You have to make arrangements for the new baby in the family. A few molds, sizers and a die set makes them feel at home when they arrive.

[Bzcraig]

All the time..... dies and brass too..... because.., one day...!!!!!:bigsmyl2:

Right now I have 500pcs of new Starline brass, a set of dies, two molds and about 500 boolits cast and powder coated for 44 mag because I know a rifle and pistol are in my very near future. So, if all else fails, let your wife read this thread and she will quickly see you have wonderful and amazing self control for a man with an addiction.

[Green Frog]

Of course I have... hasn't everyone? I started getting 319-321 size moulds months before I got my first of several 32-40s. I also tracked down 310 dies and steel handle as well as brass. Yep, it makes perfect sense to me! ;)

Froggie

[EDG]

3 factory cases of brass of 1000 rounds each and I have never found a rifle for it.

Many sets of dies, rifle barrels, stocks, bolts, scopes, car engines, ammo, gauges, micrometers

[Mk42gunner]

It is actually easier to buy the mold, then the brass, a sizing die or two, then loading dies before you buy a gun in a new to you caliber. You have time to figure out what you want instead of thinking "I have a new .297 Whizsbang Mangleum and I need to get everything for it right now, and damn the cost."

Of course this doesn't help when a real bargain of a gun comes up, but hey you already saved money on the bargain. Right?

Robert

[rondog]

I'm sure your wife has never bought anything that she didn't need, yet, because it was on sale...hmm? Or an article of clothing that wasn't quite the right size, yet.....

Naw, wimminz never do stuff like that.....

[rondog]

Right now I have 500pcs of new Starline brass, a set of dies, two molds and about 500 boolits cast and powder coated for 44 mag because I know a rifle and pistol are in my very near future. So, if all else fails, let your wife read this thread and she will quickly see you have wonderful and amazing self control for a man with an addiction.
I hope you don't have MY luck and find out those boolits are too stinkin' small!

[tarbe]

I had Mountain Molds make me a custom mold for a .404 Jeffery I hadn't built yet.

Project died before it started, and I ended up getting a .416 Rigby instead.

Just learned today that although I was able to run the .424 boolits through the .417 sizer, the nose profile is so fat I have to seat the bullets 4/5 of the way into the case to get them to chamber.

Oh well, somebody with a .404 is going to get a Mountain Mold at half price! :)

[matrixcs]

300blk had mold and modified some brass and specifically purchased powder more than 6mo before I owned an upper for my AR.
Also had 500 bullets cast and coated long before the upper arrived...

Now I am looking at what mold to buy or modify for 22tcm which I have brass and powder for and no gun (yet)......

[gwpercle]

I am so glad to hear it's not just me....I think I have an addiction. But sometimes it comes in handy. I bought the perfect 357 magnum mould about 4 months ago...don't know why, I no longer own one but felt compelled. Then 6 weeks ago a stolen 3 screw Ruger Blackhawk , was recovered and returned to me. stolen in 1995 and returned in 2015...it was gone 20 years and now it's back. Low and behold I've just finished casting a bunch of bullets with that new mould. The moral here is if you feel compelled to buy a mould....do it, you just never know what fate has in store for you.
Gary

[JWT]

Isn't that normal?

[rmatchell]

Yep. Every chance I get sometimes they make great core molds or ill get a rifle in it at some point.

[montana_charlie]

In 1974 I bought a round ball mould to cast bullets for a Colt 1851 Navy that I had just ordered.
The order got screwed up, I never got the gun, and I still have the mould.

Duh!

[ukrifleman]

All the time..... dies and brass too..... because.., one day...!!!!!:bigsmyl2:

Been there, done that.

ukrifleman

[goryshaw]

Haven't bought a mold for a caliber I don't own, but I did buy 960 rds of .303 British HXP when Cheaper than Dirt had it on sale last year, and I still don't own a rifle with which to shoot it.

[saguaro]

It's called planning!

[gwpercle]

In 1974 I bought a round ball mould to cast bullets for a Colt 1851 Navy that I had just ordered.
The order got screwed up, I never got the gun, and I still have the mould.

Duh!
Go order that gun right now, times a wasting. Cap and ball revolvers are so much fun to shoot. My first handgun was a 1851 Navy replica and I shot it so much the frame and spindle (the thing the cylinder turns on)became really loose. Ordered a 1862 Police model not long ago. You can still mail order them and no dealer is required. You got the mould, that's a great excuse to get the gun !
Gary

[paul h]

I don't recall buying a mold for a caliber I didn't own, but I have bought reloading dies, brass, and loaded ammunition without guns to use them in. I think I ended up selling/trading all of them off.

Fortunately I don't discuss each and every purchase related to the hobby with my wife. I get sufficient grief for the purchases she knows about ;)

[mtnman31]

Yes, got a couple 6.5 molds as well as some brass before I ever got the rifle.

If a mold is too pricey to buy before you get the gun, buy a sling. "I have this nice sling, now I need a rifle to carry with it."

[jkl1861]

Yup. I tend to buy the mold, dies, and brass first over a period of months. That way I can take my time getting things ready for the "big" purchase. By then, I'm ready for final sizing and load work-ups.

Joe

[chrisstophere]

All of these replies make me look forward to a 45. I'm thinking a 1911, my first one. The mold that sparked the first post is a MP one from his last group buy. Not looking forward to that LPP/SPP ordeal that comes with range brass though.

[paul h]

I wouldn't sweat the SPP thing. Between range pickup and once fired brass I've purchased, I've only come across a few small primer cases.

Lots of options for 45's, doesn't have to be a 1911, could even be a revolver. The Ruger P90's can be found for a song and mine seems to shoot quite well.

[chrisstophere]

Last pistol I got was revolver, and I don't own a 1911 and always wanted one so this seems line a perfect opportunity

[kbstenberg]

Last night I ordered a 9mm mold for the pistol I will purchase next week maybe.

[retread]

Isn't that normal?

I thought it was normal!

[Michael J. Spangler]

Bought a 2 cavity 358156 before I owned the gun or any casting equipment.

[rondog]

Yeah, finding SPP .45acp brass is kinda rare, in my experience. I consider it a non-issue. You can always reload them anyway and use that ammo as throwaways when shooting someplace where brass gathering is tough or impossible.

[10x]

Tell your wife it is an "investment" . I have never had a mold drop in value.
the Loverin molds I have picked up at gun shows or backwoods gun shops for $10 or $20 now sell for a great deal more on Ebay.

I know of one fellow who will buy a 5 cavity mold for $150.00, cast 5,000 to 8,000 bullets with it while treating it with respect and care, and then sell it on Ebay, usually getting most of (if not more) than his original investment back.

[10x]

Tell your wife it is an "investment" . I have never had a mold drop in value.
the Loverin molds I have picked up at gun shows or backwoods gun shops for $10 or $20 now sell for a great deal more on Ebay.

I know of one fellow who will buy a 5 cavity mold for $150.00, cast 5,000 to 8,000 bullets with it while treating it with respect and care, and then sell it on Ebay, usually getting most of (if not more) than his original investment back.

[oger]

Just bought close to 300 Lyman and RCBS molds from an estate I still haven't gone through everything but most are new and a lot are almost as old as me.

[fiberoptik]

Bought a 5mm mold for 5mm Craig I wanted. Found a 591 at a reasonable price, but didn't have the $ for dies/conversion of bolt. Then Aquila made 5mm Mag ammo. Rifle still not converted, have no ammo, but someday....could always try them in my Sheridan pump airgun, might make good pellets! Still want to take squirrels with cast boolits from it.

[fiberoptik]

My daughter once said if I haven't used something in six months to get rid of it.(my gunstuff) I answered ok, there goes your mother!

[Good Cheer]

Yes. About to do it again because I want to find an unappreciated bolt action rifle, and have JES convert it into a .338 Federal. So I will have a mold for a rifle that not only do I not own, but need to have converted to a new caliber. For sure my wife would never understand, but she pays no attention to my addictions.

LOL, me too. Got the Lee six cavity, brass to convert, the dies, ready to go. If the .310x.308 Mauser turns out to be more trouble than it's worth then whooosh, it's on it's way! After relocating from Texas the only reason I haven't pursued the .338 project is the goofy hunting regs here on the corn tundra.

[Beagle333]

My daughter once said if I haven't used something in six months to get rid of it.(my gunstuff) I answered ok, there goes your mother!

Pure gold right there!!!! [smilie=l::drinks:

[hermans]

Ordered a MP mold, 6 cavity brass in 9mm yesterday here a group buy......I only have 1911's in 45acp, guess I have to start looking for a 9mm now?

[chrisstophere]

Ordered a MP mold, 6 cavity brass in 9mm yesterday here a group buy......I only have 1911's in 45acp, guess I have to start looking for a 9mm now?
That's how it started for me except the opposite way. I ordered one of his 45's but only own 9mm. I regret nothing.

[10x]

Bought a 5mm mold for 5mm Craig I wanted. Found a 591 at a reasonable price, but didn't have the $ for dies/conversion of bolt. Then Aquila made 5mm Mag ammo. Rifle still not converted, have no ammo, but someday....could always try them in my Sheridan pump airgun, might make good pellets! Still want to take squirrels with cast boolits from it.


My daughter once said if I haven't used something in six months to get rid of it.(my gunstuff) I answered ok, there goes your mother!

That is why some folks buy Christmas lights and decorations every year.

[jmorris]

Yep, I have bullets cast for guns I don't have yet.

[mold maker]

I had 3 moulds in 41, before I found the gun I wanted. Now I've found another mould and gun. Imagine that.

[BK7saum]

Yes and reloading dies also. I have 45 molds and 6.5x55 reloading dies. No firearms for either yet.

Brad

[mold maker]

All things come to those who wait, and plan ahead. Otherwise known as the tail wagging the dog.

[chsparkman]

Bought a 5mm mold for 5mm Craig I wanted. Found a 591 at a reasonable price, but didn't have the $ for dies/conversion of bolt. Then Aquila made 5mm Mag ammo. Rifle still not converted, have no ammo, but someday....could always try them in my Sheridan pump airgun, might make good pellets! Still want to take squirrels with cast boolits from it.

Where did you acquire such a mold, and are they still available anywhere? I load for 5mm Craig and I'd love to find that mold.

[chsparkman]

I bought 2 molds and 250 Starline cases for 480 Ruger in anticipation of getting the new Bisley SBH. I've already loaded a round of test loads, but I'm still waiting on the gun. Hopefully soon!

[eli]

Yes, an Ideal 358156 for the 38/357 I still don't own yet. Reputable a great cast bullet and mold for a first handshake with a new to me caliber.

[largecaliberman]

I did just that. For some reason my gut told me not to let the mold get away and now I own a mold for a caliber I don't own and the wife is giving me tons of grief over the decision.
Been there done that. I would suggest reading the book entitled "The Secret" or you can Netflix that title. Basically, if you can visualize it you can have it. Read the book or see it on Netflix.

[fiberoptik]

Where did you acquire such a mold, and are they still available anywhere? I load for 5mm Craig and I'd love to find that mold.

It was a special order mould I heard about years ago and got in touch with the guys hosting the buy & got the last one.

[krems]

I'm glad I'm not the only one collecting brass,molds, and dies prior to owning the gun. It's funny how the "must have" gun one year changes. I have 30-40 krag, 50 special, 32-20, 38 super stuff laying around but no gun. Who knows what this years "must have" gun will be...I'm thinking towards a 10mm 1911

[Butzbach]

Does holding onto brass, molds & dies for guns and calibers you sold a long time ago count? It's kinda the same thing. One day . . .

I owned and finally sold an M1A magazine 30 years before I finally owned one.

[Ken77539]

Bought an entire reloading shop from a guy a few years back. His father had passed away and he knew I reloaded, so we struck a win / win deal for the whole shooting match (pardon the pun). Turns out I got a bunch of molds in the deal that I have no firearms for (yet) either. One of them did eventually prompt the purchase of a replica .36 cal. 1851 Navy BP revolver - my first BP firearm.

[white eagle]

I did just that. For some reason my gut told me not to let the mold get away and now I own a mold for a caliber I don't own and the wife is giving me tons of grief over the decision.

Shucks [smilie=w:
I thought I was the only one who did that
my theory is you need to start some where :shock:
if you find a way to explain that to the wife let me know

[chrisstophere]

Shucks [smilie=w:
I thought I was the only one who did that
my theory is you need to start some where :shock:
if you find a way to explain that to the wife let me know

Still working on that last part. I tried to use Christmas and New Year's as a reason to finally get a 1911, but got shot down with the "you just got a ton of gun stuff that you barely used yet...". I'm just laying in wait now that she knows I have something on my mind.
I'm going to check out that "The Secret" movie on Netflix. It's only showing 1 1/2 stars, but it's a lazy Sunday here

[Elkins45]

I ended up with an old Ideal 500 grain 45-70 mold with handles for $5 at an otherwise terrible gun show a few years ago. I bought it intending to keep the handles and sell the mold, but I ended up buying a Handi-Rifle to fit the mold instead.

I have a set of RCBS dies in 22-250 but don't own a 22-250. I also own a few Lee Loader kits in odd calibers that I bought for next to nothing just in case I stumble across a rifle I like.

[26Charlie]

Have a Lee 338-220 mould, bought many years ago to make some CB's for a friend in Alaska who had a .338 WinMag. He went screwy & never used the bullets, not even for target practice, toxic lead you know. Then I found a used 338320 Lyman mould for the .33 Winchester, so started looking for a rifle to shoot these in. Providence was kind to me, TWO turned up within weeks of each other, and I had the cash - here's the link -
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?230438-Guns-come-in-bunches - so just wait and something good is likely to show up. I have since added a RCBS 33-200-FP which is good also.

[Bagdadjoe]

Of course. That's how you set things in motion. ;-)

[triggerhappy243]

I came into a Lyman 2 cavity mold #379248 to be exact.... and it sat in my toobox for 12 years. I still have no use for it.

[BAGTIC]

Of course, several times. Hasn't everybody.

What kind of husband lets his wife know about such things?

[onehousecat]

I bought a RCBS 41 mag. 210 SWC mold, followed by dies, and lated acquired a 657 to put them to use with.

Does it count if you used to own a gun, but but no longer have the gun? I am in the process of getting a RCBS .457 round ball mold. I had a Ruger Old Army many years ago, but lost it in a burglary and never replaced it.

[Swede44mag]

I did just that. For some reason my gut told me not to let the mold get away and now I own a mold for a caliber I don't own and the wife is giving me tons of grief over the decision.

I bought a set of dies and a 6 or 8 cavity H&G mold to load 9mm shells for a Browning Highpower pistol.
Never bought the Browning but I have used the mold and dies to reload for a Sig P226 I had for a couple of years.

[CATTLEMAN]

Unfortunately I have done that several times, but I usually keep things "need to know" when it comes to my bad decisions.

[shoot-n-lead]

Unfortunately I have done that several times, but I usually keep things "need to know" when it comes to my bad decisions.

What does this mean?

You don't want to say what molds you bought before you had the gun?????

Why the big secret?

[mcdaniel.mac]

What does this mean?

You don't want to say what molds you bought before you had the gun?????

Why the big secret?
I'm imagining a closet full of unused molds and dies, like Imelda Marco's shoe closet

[54bore]

I recently sold a .40 cal pistol, I had bought all the loading equipment to reload for it, RCBS carbide dies, 600 jacketed hollow point bullets, brick of primers, powder, I even bought the Redding carbide GRX die with bottle adaptor (100 bucks for this die and bottle adaptor alone!) several mtm ammo boxes to put my loaded ammo in when I finished them, close to a thousand brass fully prepped and ready to load, and a few boxes of carry ammo. After selling the pistol a day or so later a mold arrived in the mail! I had forgot about ordering it! LOL, So yea I have a brand new mold for a caliber I no longer own, along with a BUNCH of other stuff!! Who knows maybe I'll get another one some day