Arsenal Molds - Dimensions?

[Humbo]

I have a few Arsenal Molds, and I really like them. Good build quality and easy to cast with. But I'm not too happy with the dimensions on my latest purchase, a 403-180 TC mold. The mold halves close nicely, but the bullets still come out a little out of round. They measure .40050 on one side, and .40325 on the other, measured with a Starrett micrometer. Bullets drop at 174.5-175gr with an alloy that consists of 75% clip-on WW and 25% pure. No extra tin added.
Should I consider the mold within spec, or do I have enough reason to complain? I was thinking to size to .402.

[toallmy]

They will make it right if it is a problem , contact them . I just noticed your in Norway WOW how is shipping ?

[Humbo]

I'll contact them and get their advise. Shipping will run pretty high, so I doubt it's worth sending the mold back to the US.

[gwpercle]

Run a few through the .402 sizer and see if that helps round them out. This is one of the reasons I size my boolits...it can help with slightly out of roundness.
This might save you that high postage.
Gary

[Mytmousemalibu]

I had bought an Arsenal 124gr TC that was dropping bullets undersized. I emailed Arsenal and Jared was very apologetic and got me a new one sent out ASAP, no questions asked, didn't request the other back. I got a new one free of charge in a few days. Really cant ask for anything better as far as customer service goes.

I'd send him an email, I bet he'd do you right.

[castalott]

I have 4 of his molds and they are spot on. Dale

[toallmy]

I believe that he is a member here at Cast boollits .

[Humbo]

I agree, their molds work flawlessly and are every well made. I have another order with them for two more molds as we speak. I'll drop them an email ASAP, I don't like to complain but I was thinking to offer some of these bullets commercially.

[Humbo]

I dropped Jared an email, so we'll see what he says. I only cast with this mold once, so it might need a few more heat cycles to be broken in properly. I'll give it another go tomorrow.

[Sawdust]

The mold halves close nicely, but the bullets still come out a little out of round. They measure .40050 on one side, and .40325 on the other, measured with a Starrett micrometer.

I was thinking to size to .402.

0.003" is a lot out of round. The .402 sizer will not help.

Had a mold with that was out of round - One of the pins was out too far and wouldn't let the mold close tight

[Mytmousemalibu]

A footnote I forgot, the replacement mold I was sent was perfect and makes beautiful bullets! Other than the undersize issue on the 1st one it was perfect as well. Very well made and beautiful molds.

[Humbo]

I'm lifting this thread. I don't know if I'm just plain unlucky, or if there's something else at play here. I ordered a couple more molds from Arsenal, and the dimensions were way off. I've been trying to get a response from Arsenal for a while, without any luck. One of the molds was a 45 caliber 250gr LFNGC, and the gas check shank measures at .434", and it's just impossible to get the gas checks on there. And this it with an alloy not very rich in antimony and tin either. I've tried with both Gator and Hornady checks. It's not possible to use this bullet without the gas check because the lube groove sits at the bottom against the gas check.
The other mold, a 44 caliber 250gr LFNGC is a little bit better, at least I can get the gas checks on. It is a few thousandths out of round, but rather that than not usable at all.
Maybe I'm just spoiled with NOE, MP, LBT, Accurate and other mold makers, but the least one could expect is a response from the manufacturer.

[jmort]

I'm lifting this thread. I don't know if I'm just plain unlucky, or if there's something else at play here. I ordered a couple more molds from Arsenal, and the dimensions were way off. I've been trying to get a response from Arsenal for a while, without any luck. One of the molds was a 45 caliber 250gr LFNGC, and the gas check shank measures at .434", and it's just impossible to get the gas checks on there. And this it with an alloy not very rich in antimony and tin either. I've tried with both Gator and Hornady checks. It's not possible to use this bullet without the gas check because the lube groove sits at the bottom against the gas check.
The other mold, a 44 caliber 250gr LFNGC is a little bit better, at least I can get the gas checks on. It is a few thousandths out of round, but rather that than not usable at all.
Maybe I'm just spoiled with NOE, MP, LBT, Accurate and other mold makers, but the least one could expect is a response from the manufacturer.

That is not good. As you noted, there are better places to spend your money.
No excuse for not getting a response.
You want perfection, Tom at Accurate does it.
Sorry you get left holding the bag.

[Wheelguns 1961]

I would try to call him. I have had trouble contacting mold makers and gunsmiths by email. I guess some people don’t embrace new technology as well as others.

[Humbo]

jmort, thanks for the support. It's a shame, Arsenal's molds are well built and reasonably priced, and if they held better tolerances they'd be fantastic. Tom and others will get my business from now on.
Wheelguns 1961, I was under the impression that most machinists prefer email, then they can answer on their own time and not lose precious time in the shop. I might give him a call if it doesn't cost me a fortune, I don't have a land line.

[Humbo]

The only way I'll be able to use this mold is to machine out the gas check shank. Is this something that can be easily done?

[Three44s]

Gumbo,

Perhaps a phone card would work with your cell phone?

Sorry to hear about your problems with Arsenal. It’s just not characteristic of their MO. The borders and freight charges etc certainly complicate things as well.

Good luck from a second generation Norwegian!

Three44s

[Wasalmonslayer]

I have many of his molds and they have all been good.
Have you tried reaching out to him he has always made any issue right!

Please PM me and we will work through it.

Thank You

[jmort]

I'm lifting this thread. I don't know if I'm just plain unlucky, or if there's something else at play here. I ordered a couple more molds from Arsenal, and the dimensions were way off. I've been trying to get a response from Arsenal for a while, without any luck. One of the molds was a 45 caliber 250gr LFNGC, and the gas check shank measures at .434", and it's just impossible to get the gas checks on there. And this it with an alloy not very rich in antimony and tin either. I've tried with both Gator and Hornady checks. It's not possible to use this bullet without the gas check because the lube groove sits at the bottom against the gas check.
The other mold, a 44 caliber 250gr LFNGC is a little bit better, at least I can get the gas checks on. It is a few thousandths out of round, but rather that than not usable at all.
Maybe I'm just spoiled with NOE, MP, LBT, Accurate and other mold makers, but the least one could expect is a response from the manufacturer.

He has been trying to get a response. No luck.

[Humbo]

Wasalmonslayer, I've sent them several emails, both through the contact form on their website and through my email client, without any luck. I also dropped them a message on Facebook yesterday, but looks like they haven't read the message yet. It's been about a month and a half without any response whatsoever. One explanation could be that my emails get caught in some spam filter, but the messages through the website should get there. And they did receive my email messages before.

[WALLNUTT]

I had a problem with a Arsenal order. I ordered a 257283 85g. When the mold arrived it was a 257283 60g. Wrong mold but being the cast junkie that I am, I went ahead and tried it out. The mold cast well and the bullet shot OK. I fired off a message explaining the mixup and suggested a discount on a replacement mold since I already used the "wrong" mold. Well I did not receive a response until a new "correct" mold arrived in the mail. I think that is a pretty stand up solution to the problem. I won't have a problem ordering another mold from Arsenal.

[Harles Dawson]

Sorry to report the same situation with Arsenal that you have. Bought 2 molds, H&G 503’s, both out of spec. I spoke to Jared on Jan.11 about them. Was told I’d have replacements within a couple of weeks, but they haven’t gotten here yet. If they get here I’ll let y’all know. It’s been almost 10 weeks now. I was planning to wait another week before posting anything, but found this post, and decided to share my disappointing story also. Harles

[Harles Dawson]

I had a problem with a Arsenal order. I ordered a 257283 85g. When the mold arrived it was a 257283 60g. Wrong mold but being the cast junkie that I am, I went ahead and tried it out. The mold cast well and the bullet shot OK. I fired off a message explaining the mixup and suggested a discount on a replacement mold since I already used the "wrong" mold. Well I did not receive a response until a new "correct" mold arrived in the mail. I think that is a pretty stand up solution to the problem. I won't have a problem ordering another mold from Arsenal.
Well I sure hope I have the same result that you did. I’ve been calling him and have emailed him. So far, no results. I hope he has a reasonable explanation and all is well with him. Harles

[earlmck]

I also have an interesting dimensional problem with an Arsenal mould. But it is one I bought from a member on here, not direct from Arsenal. My .311 -176 LFN casts beautiful round boolits with each of the 5 cavities virtually identical. Unfortunately they are .317 rather than .311 which is awful fat for a fellow who sizes to .309 or .310. The gas check shank though is a very nice fit for 30 cal gas checks.

I emailed him about 6 weeks ago to see if he would replace this obvious manufacturing defect but have not heard back from him.

[Harles Dawson]

Well I sure hope I have the same result that you did. I’ve been calling him and have emailed him. So far, no results. I hope he has a reasonable explanation and all is well with him. Harles I received an email from Jared today. He apologized for dropping the ball on my mold problem, and asked for a refresher about the problem. I told him the problem. He emailed again and said he’d replace the molds with molds to my specifications. I expect that he will. I’ll let y’all know the results when they happen. Harles

[Humbo]

I also got a response from Arsenal. They said they've been very busy, and I totally understand that. They are going to replace the mold, but didn't mention if I have to return the faulty one. I hate to complain, but because of the design of this mold it just wasn't possible to use without the gas check, which normally can be done. So the problem seems to be resolved, I'll keep you posted.

[earlmck]

After Wasalmonslayer made a contact I also heard from Jared via PM. That should eliminate spam filter problems.

[Wasalmonslayer]

Glad all things are coming together for you guys!

[Humbo]

Wasalmonslayer, thanks a lot for pulling some strings. I'm sure they were just busy, hopefully everything will work out.

[Wasalmonslayer]

You gents are very welcome!
I hope you get the solutions quickly and can return to your regular scheduled programs :)

[Humbo]

Thank you, I'll keep you guys posted on the outcome.

[reddhawkk]

I just read this thread with interest as I was considering ordering one of their molds. I think I will go ahead and do so.

[Humbo]

I think you should, they are great molds to cast with and they have some really good bullet designs as well.

[Harles Dawson]

I received an email from Jared today. He apologized for dropping the ball on my mold problem, and asked for a refresher about the problem. I told him the problem. He emailed again and said he’d replace the molds with molds to my specifications. I expect that he will. I’ll let y’all know the results when they happen. Harles Well, I said I’d let y’all know how things worked out. I got 2 new molds in mail from Jared on Saturday. Haven’t gotten to cast with them yet, but am heat cycling now. Hopefully will cast tomorrow. I expect they’ll do fine. Harles

[Humbo]

Harles, thanks for the update. There's also a new mold on the way to me from Jared, haven't received it yet but should hopefully be here in a few days. How many heat cycles do you put them through before you start casting?