my new MP mold

[nagantguy]

just gor the my new MP 45 mold, from the recent group buy, brass 4 holer looks like a piece of art,I've never used a brass nor hp mold before, I would love a quick primer on how you run yours, thanks in advance!

[4719dave]

Take that mold and wash it with hot soapy water really good .Then i heat mine up in the shop oven 2or 3x let cool each time .Put the lube on the pins and around the spur plate screw .Pre heat the mold start making boolit the brass likes to run hotter then alu molds you'll find the sweet spot ..its all over now once you go brass you never go back ..be safe

[CPL Lou]

If it has hollow point pins be sure to loosen the long screws that go into the pins by about a quarter turn until you have used the mold a few times.
As it breaks in, the pins will snug in nicely !
As Dave said, preheat it a few times after scrubbing it down. I use non-chlorinated brake cleaner from WalMart. A lot cheaper than Gun Scrubber, but it's the same thing.
Don't forget to go LIGHT on the mold lube. Too much and you'll be casting wrinkled boolits forever !
Since I have graphite case neck lube, I dip my hollow point pins into that and then wipe off the excess graphite before casting the first couple of times I use it.
After that, I don't fiddle with the graphite anymore. Some people use a wooden match to smoke the pins, others use a graphite pencil (I've done this too) to keep the boolits from sticking on the pins.
Good luck with your mold !

CPL Lou

[nagantguy]

thanks guys, I already got the clean and heat part, one question I had is the screws for the pins, do you use them on both sides,one side, I really don't know, seems like both sides would.prevent the mold.from opening

[CPL Lou]

One side only!
I put mine on the left side as I am right handed. That way when the mold is upside down for emptying, my right hand is available to take care of anything sticking.

CPL Lou

[nagantguy]

how do you open the sprue plate? I'm terrified I'm going to break it.

[dragon813gt]

Put the pins through whichever side is most comfortable for you. As far as the sprue plate. I don't see how you could break it but I guess some people would be able to. If the mold is up to casting temp you should be able to open the sprue plate w/ a gloved hand. Sometimes I have to whack it open for the first few pours until everything is fully heated.

Here is how mine are setup.
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa39/dragon813gt/TimeToMakeAmmo/378B812A-4014-4C57-89A7-424C31DA5688-631-00000026BEF9F1B2.jpg (http://s198.photobucket.com/user/dragon813gt/media/TimeToMakeAmmo/378B812A-4014-4C57-89A7-424C31DA5688-631-00000026BEF9F1B2.jpg.html)

[seagiant]

Hi,
I smack mine easy with a broke off hickory hammer handle!

The handle will last for years and by that time I've usually have another ready to go!

[nagantguy]

I did use a hickory handle, just kind of a funny angel the boolits started to.fall perfect after the third pour , what a great mold, i got a few smears on the bases of a few and a few wrinkles at the hollow end on some but I have enough for a shooting session and the majority are perfect, once I pc these they should shoot well.