current Lyman 429421 DC Mold offering

[smokeater]

Looking to replace a 429421 mold that I sold several years ago and was wondering if Lyman's current version they have now is still true to form ie; squared lube groove and equal thickness on driving bands? If not, does anyone have experience with the NOE H&G 503 clone mold? Only wanting solid bullet, no hollow points. Thanks.

[Murphy]

Over the past few years I've heard both good and bad about Lyman molds, mostly about them being undersized. I've been casting for over 30 years now and when I first started, Lyman (and a couple of LEE) molds were all I used.

I own 5 or 6 NOE molds and have yet to be less than happy with them. Given a choice between the two, I would purchase the NOE mold without hesitation.

Murphy

[Wayne Smith]

I believe the RCBS mold is currently consistent with the original.

[runfiverun]

I know Tom at Accurate will cut one however you want and get it to you in 2 weeks.

[TexasGrunt]

The current Lyman doesn't have square lube grooves.

[gwpercle]

NOE's mould is marked Keith and does have the square bottomed lube grooves. A recreation of the original Lyman 429421 w/ flat bottom grooves.
I purchased an NOE Keith signature series mould recently for my 41 magnum and it does have the original flat bottom lube grooves also . Mine is a 3 cavity and I like it a lot ! Check out their store.
Gary

[smokeater]

Thanks Gentlemen, looks like NOE or Accurate is my answer. Will check with both and go from there. I love Miha's molds but just looking for a solid for a "one bullet does all" to keep cost down.

[smokeater]

UPDATE: While I was looking over my options on NOE and Accurate molds, I took one more glance at Miha's offerings and he had the H&G 503 clone in a DC for 83 bucks and some change. Comes with the pins so if I had to use HPs I will be able to. Again, thanks everyone for your input. Nice to have a place to go and get some credible advice.

[RobS]

Can't go wrong with MiHec eigher. His molds are really nice indeed.

[KVO]

The NOE 432-277 (Keith )is a bit heavier than the 429421. Incidentally I just gave the NOE Keith boolit another go today, and so far have not been able to turn out acceptable accuracy from just about any combo, mild to wild. This is out of a S&W 629 and a Ruger Super Blackhawk w/ 4x optics. In the SWC zone, Mihec's #503 clone has run rings around the "Keith" boolit for me (irony?). It's a shame, because that 4 cavity Keith molds is almost hard to get a bad boolit out of, casts wonderfully. You could also look at a 429421 copy from Arsenal Molds if that is the specific profile your heart is set on.

[KVO]

I think Mihec still has a few #503s in stock, and they're 25% off right now. They're HP, but you could always just use the FP pins.

[smokeater]

Thanks for the relating your experience. I only noticed the other day that Miha had a sale on his molds and opted for his only because I had past experience with it. It was a 220 gr solid with the assorted pins. Cast a beautiful 205gr (approx)(depending on your alloy) that shot like a laser. I am quite sure all of the other molds are excellent molds, I just went on past experience. A friend has a "heavy" Keith bullet mold, but since I am only loading for a 44Spec, wanted something more true to weight. My old Lyman 429421 ran out after sizing and lubing around 252 - 255grs and shot excellent w/o leading at most any velocity I loaded for (I do not load the Keith load. 15.5grs 2400 is my top load and it is more than enough). I want to Thank each of y'all for your help. I truly love this forum and the way you guys help each other out with problems. Keep up the good work.

[smokeater]

KVO, just recognized that you are from Round Rock. Been thru there a few times back in the late 60s. I finished up my Air Force tour of duty at Bergstrom AFB, Austin, TX. Wife and I loved it out there. We had relatives living in San Marcos and Brady. It was a welcome breath of fresh air after 2 yrs stationed in Hawaii. Done tech school at Amarillo AFB, another nice place. Be proud of your state, it is beautiful.

[KVO]

Smokeater, I foolishly left TX in my not too distant youth, but made back as fast as I could. Moved to Round Rock about six years ago for many reasons. It helped the decision having a rifle range reaching out to 1,000yd about an hour's drive away. Hope you enjoy that new Mihec mold!

[waco]

Why take a chance on something? Order it once. Right the first time, every time. Accurate Molds.
http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=43-240K-D.png
http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=43-250K-D.png

[Larry Gibson]

I've used several Lyman 429421 moulds since '68 and they all cast 250 - 255 gr bullets with COWW and COWW + 2% tin. My RCBS 44-250-K drops them at 250 with the same alloy. I read an awful lot of Keith's writing over the years.......he always mentioned 240 - 255 gr SWCs......

Which brings me to my question; since when did a "Keith" 44 bullet start weighing 277 - 280 gr?

It's no wonder many think Alliant changed 2400 and it's "hotter", especially if they load Keith's classic load of 22 gr under the above mentioned "Keith" bullet..........That definitely would be a little warm........

[waco]

Lyman cast bullet handbook fourth edition shows the Lyman 429421 as a 245gr. cast bullet.
Loads with 2400 are.
18.5gr to start, and 20.6 as MAX.
If people think 22.0gr seem warm it's because they are.

[Larry Gibson]

Waco

Look at the next page; 255 gr cast, max load 22.6 gr 2400 at 35,300 CUP.

SAAMI MAP (Maximum Average Pressure), the industry maximum allowable pressure, for the 44 Magnum using CUP measurement is 41,000 CUP. None of the Lyman listed loads measure up to that. Thus all Lyman's listed loads there are below the industry standard SAAMI MAP.

I measure the psi of the 44 Magnum and other cartridges. 22 gr of Alliant and Hercules 2400 is right at the SAAMI MAP with a 250 - 255 gr 429421 or 44-250-K. That is safe and within SAAMI specifications.

[waco]

Larry

I didn't notice that. I just went right to the load data for the 429421.
My correction.
Walter

[Larry Gibson]

waco

No problem. My real question though is when did so called "real" Keith bullets get so heavy?

[white eagle]

I've seen load data for 22 gr and change as well
another option for molds is Mountain Molds
I have one of his
original Keith's and it is a beautiful mold to cast with
Dan has always done very good work

[shdwlkr]

years ago Lee made a 255 grain 6 cavity mold for the 44 pistols. Never did read anything about the Keith mold being heavier.

[waco]

Mine from my Lyman 4 cavity weigh right at 250 with coww.

[waco]

I see some of the custom makers offer the design up to around 280 or so.

[smokeater]

Agree with you Larry. While most offerings of the "Keith" bullet are around 250-255gr (depending on alloy/casting temp etc) there are some that go regularly around 260-265grs. I forgot to mention in my opening post that this bullet would be for my 44 Spec Ruger Flattop with primary focus on deer/hog. After playing around with a LEE 200 RFN mold, I have decided to just stick with the 250 Keith for all purposes. I have ordered me a double cavity from Miha with assorted pins but plan mostly for standard solid bullet so that I can hopefully remember the sight picture for various ranges rather than having to remember 2 different settings.