Recommend another couple of molds for 9mm & 45acp??

[kingstrider]

Well I've decided I need to start casting my own 9mm and 45acp boolits to save a little money while in school. I like to shoot a lot of each caliber so am leaning toward the Lee 6-bangers but wanted to see what you guys would recommend. I'm aiming toward plinking ammo and have read the tumble lube bullets do not need to be sized. Is this correct or will it just vary from gun to gun? For what its worth, these will be used in a Colt Series 70 and a Beretta 92FS.

[HeavyMetal]

While not a fan of tumble lube boolits they are the most inexpensive way to shoot a bunch on a budget!

Most of the Lee stuff will / should work in both these guns with no issue, but it wouldn't hurt to have a way to measure the boolits out of the mold you buy just to make sure whats going on when your loading. A good dial caliper will be all you need ( until you get old)

[Echo]

LLyman 452460 SWC for the .45 - about 200 grs out of whatever you use for alloy, and a proven winner.

I don't load, or cast, for the 9mm...

[Calamity Jake]

For my Smith 59, I use Lyman 356402 a 120gr RN, for my 45 autos and a Smith 625-2 I like RCBS 45-185 and Saeco 069 a 200gr flat base SWC very close to H&G 68

[Ron]

My 9mm GLOCK gets fed a diet of a CBE mold, 124 grn TC in front of 4.3grns of ADI AP70. This is a nice comfortable load and accurate to 25 metres. The mold is a three cavity brass one and very easy to cast with.

[deltaenterprizes]

With the fast twist of the 92 barrel I would suggest a heavy 9mm bullet in the 147 gr range. SAECO makes a nice RN in 147 gr that was my best seller when I did commercial casting.

[docone31]

I am a real fan of Lee Molds.
For the .45ACP, I prefer the 452-200-Rf. I size to 452. I use Blue Dot, kinda stiff. No leading, little residue, real strong ejection. I make my lube, and pan lube.
For the 9mm. I have a Star Modelo Super. Kinda picky. Up untill I cast, it only used FMJ 115gn.
I got the Lee 356-120-TC. I had no feeding issues. Again, I use Blue Dot, kinda my favourite. I use it for all my pistols, .45ACP, 9mm, 38 SPL, and .357 mag.
I did find, with the TC casting, you have to set the casting to where it transitions from the Truncated Cone, to the sizing. I size .356. I set the original set too high, and got some hang ups. Once I set the casting to the transition, no hang ups.
Shoots well, ejects well. I make my own lube. No leading.
I am very pleased with these molds.
In my .357 cals, both .357, and .38, I use the 358-158-Rf. I size .358 and use Blue Dot.
Wonderful. I do not crimp in either caliber.
These have been great molds for me. They cast easily, sharp edges, fall out easily into the water.
With the .45ACP, I set the casting again to the transition from casting/sizing. No hang ups.

[sundog]

I like the RCBS 9mm-147-FN. It has a square base, and shoots well in the 92. It's also an RCBS mould. Have I ever mentioned that I like RCBS moulds?

For the .45 it's hard to beat the Lee 45-200-RF. In a 6-banger, but of course. I do not care for the TL models.

[Lonestar22]

Here's a good review on the LEE .45ACP bullet you're thinking about. Hope this helps.
http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting2006/swwheelgun2/index.asp

[dakotashooter2]

While I don't shoot it much my P85 shoots pretty well with the Lee TL356-124-2R as dropped from the mold and tumble lubed . I get very little leading from this combo and the feed well.

[mtgrs737]

I have never tried the Lee tumble lube boolits, but if I were on a budget I would give them a try as they won't set you back much. If you don't end up liking them just sell them on ebay and get something else. Lee moulds benifit greatly from the use of bullplate spue plate lube from bullshop just be sure and follow the directions that come with it.

[Baron von Trollwhack]

The 356477 Lyman @153 grains in my alloy works well in a Sigma. The bonus is no GC. BvT

[Bad Karma]

Depending on what you like I use 3 different mould for 9mm. RCBS 115 RN, very nice, drops good boolits once heated up. The feed great. Lerr 357 105gr SWC, this is for the .357 but sized to .357" in my 1911A1 9mm it shoots great. Lee 124gr T/C six banger. Takes some getting used to this mould but once you get the hang of it you'll get a lot of boolits for your time spent over the furnace. They shoot and feed great.

45. I have several I like to use. RCBS 200 SWC, classic SWC and it shoots great! Can be a feeder problem if your weapon is finiky. RCBS 255 SWC K This is the Elmer Kieth jobber for the Colt. I shoot it out of my ACP with 6.0gr Unique. Hits like a sledge hammer and is very accurate. Lee 225 T/C. This is another great mould. It feeds flawlessly and this one is a 2 cavity flavor. It drops perfect 98% of the time as long as the blocks are to temp. Shoots as good as any RCBS mould I have. I have 8 .45s so I like to use 255 gr one and the 225gr Lee.

[Cherokee]

Lyman 356402 122 conical for 9mm, Lyman 452460 for 45 ACP, NEI 451-233H TC bullet & NEI 451-210 SWC. Lee 122 TC should also work fine for 9mm.

[MtGun44]

Lee 105 9mm SWC works well in all the 9mms I have tried it in. Bonus is
lower recoil, altho it isn't like ANY 9mm is going to break your wrist. Kinda like
a H&G 68 for 9mm.

For .45 ACP, H&G 68 for SWC or Lyman 452374 for RN, 452460 is very
accurate in some 1911s, too.

Bill

[Ranch Dog]

9mm Luger - Lee TL356-124-2R
45 ACP - Lee TL452-230-2R

I cast with plumber's lead and tumble lube with the Lee Liquid Alox. One coat, set them out on wax paper overnight. Feed and shoot great!

[C1PNR]

+ 1 for the Lyman 452460 @ 200 grains in the 45 ACP

And if you want a little heavier boolit, the 452423 @ 238 grains in my alloy is another winner.

I don't cast for the 9mm.

[mooman76]

You don't nessisarily have to use a tumble lube bullet to tumble lube. It works fine on other bullets too. I am a big fan of Lee's 105g SWC bullet. Great little plinker that works well in the 9mm, 38 and 357. It's very accurate too. I like Lees 45 RN 200g for the 45. Some 45's are a little picky on the bullets they take, and mine is. I think its in a TL design.

[kingstrider]

9mm Luger - Lee TL356-124-2R
45 ACP - Lee TL452-230-2R

I cast with plumber's lead and tumble lube with the Lee Liquid Alox. One coat, set them out on wax paper overnight. Feed and shoot great!

Wow these were the very pair I settled on! I bought the 6-cavities and poured up a bunch after I got back from the range today. They work a lot smoother than my Lee 2-cavities and can sure crank out the boolits in just a little time.

Michael, do you normally size these or just load and shoot as cast?