Lyman 358156 VS Noe's version question...

[ROCKET]

Any advantages getting a Lyman 358156 2 cav mold over Noe's version ? The 2 cavity mold I see on Ebay sell around $40 to $50.
The Noe mold is sometimes on sale for about $75.00. Noe also offers a 4 cav 2pb and 2gc version :-P. The only difference I can see the 155gr vs 162gr

So...what say you ?

[Bookworm]

I have an Ideal 358156 dual cavity. It casts nice boolits, I like it, but it seems slow compared to 4-cav moulds.

I have a NOE 4-cav, 2Pb, 2gc. I always need one version but not the other. I won't buy another of the mixed cavity moulds. Beyond that, the mould casts beautifully, and is a joy to use.

I have several other NOE moulds, not a lemon in the lot.

I think that a 4-cav is the sweet spot for me. Good production, easy to maintain temp, not too heavy. For the price difference, I think the 2 cav is a no go.

Just think - the 4-cav DOUBLES production every pour, over a 2-cav.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

That question would seem to be, mostly a Preference thing.
My preference has become, Always a NOE, before a Lyman.

Also, One thing to consider when buying a GC style mold, is... what GC was the mold designed and cut for ?

I have a sgl cav Ideal 358156, it was cut for the old style Ideal/lyman slip on GC, which are hard to come by now-a-days, Gator GC are troublesome to install on these boolits.

[tazman]

I own molds from both Lyman and NOE. You can find my preference in my answer when I say that, when you find a Lyman mold that drops at the size it is supposed to(and many do) keep it. Every NOE mold I have experience with drops the size it is supposed to.
I have many NOE molds and have cast with several others. I have no complaints about any of them.
I also have many Lyman molds but have had issues with undersize and roundness/pin alignment with some that I no longer own.

[wbrco]

I just had this conversation with Mr. Nelson 4 weeks ago. Look @ the NOE - it's actually longer & heavier than the 358156. It was a group buy from here on Castboolits.

I ended up buying the HG #51 PB clone of his. Shot it the first time last night. Phenomenal over 9 gr. HS-6. [emoji7]

Sent from my 2PS64 using Tapatalk

[Hick]

I paid $40 for the Ideal 358156GC with handles on E-bay a year or two ago. The gas checks I buy fit perfectly and it is a real shooter-- both in my 38 special and my 357 magnums. NOE molds are great too-- but I wouldn't trade that Ideal for anything.

[MT Chambers]

I believe that the Lyman iron molds will outlast most aluminum molds.

[BrassMagnet]

I believe that the Lyman iron molds will outlast most aluminum molds.

Me, too!
However, I own many 4C and 5C NOE moulds.

I also own many Lyman 4C moulds.

Two NOE 4C or 5C moulds will dump bunches of boolits in a hurry, but you will need two 20# lead pots to keep up on the melting.

Getting two identical NOE moulds is simple. Just order two!

Getting identical Lyman moulds is tough.

Four cavity brass moulds are just too heavy!
6C and 8C steel moulds are awkward to use and I believe two 4C or 5C NOE moulds will out produce them with a lot less work!