Lyman 429421 question

[kooz]

I have a Lyman 429421 mold and after pouring some bullets and measuring them I am getting a measurment of about .424 to .425 for the first band above the crimp grove. The lower driving bands are .429 to .430. I took a measurment of the mold and it is cut to .425 for the first band and .430 for the lower bands. I thought that the first band on all the Keith style molds were a driving band ? wondering if this is typical of the 429421 mold or if it is cut to small ? thanks

[anachronism]

Elmers original design called for 3 equal diameter, equal length driving bands, but Lyman changed his design by making the first (driving) band at approximately land diameter. If I remember correctly, they also shortened the bullet slightly- lowering the nominal bullet weight from 250 grains to about 245 grains, and changed the lube groove from square cut to rounded. This last modification was done to make it easier for the bullet to fall free from the mould. If you want a true Keith bullet, I believe Ballisticast is the only source for moulds 100% as Elmer intended. The RCBS 44-250K is really, really close, and is the one I use. Your mould is cut as Lyman intended it to be. It's still a good bullet.

[anachronism]

There are pictures of all 3 bullets I mentioned on this post:

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=34517

[kooz]

Thanks for the info. I also regularly use the 44 250 KT and have had excellent luck with it, but this is my first crack at it with the 429421. Thanks again