lightening a H&G 6 cavity

[Irascible]

I had a beloved H&G 4 cavity for a #51 GC, it was extremely accurate out of my M27 S&W. I stupidly sold it. I missed, it so when I ran across a 6 cavity for the same bullet I bought it. I couldn't believe how heavy it was. I believe I could use it for a wood splitting mallet!
So, now I'm looking for a legitimit way to lighten it without affecting the casting qualities, also looking for some lighter standard plier type handles. Has anybody gone through this?
Thanks

[lightman]

As well as they cast I would hesitate to do very much to it. Many guys cast with those larger gang molds in ways where they don't have to pick them up as much. Google probably can find a video of this.

[skeettx]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1bp8Cl3L8A

[country gent]

Before modifying the mould you might consider a balancer for it. Mount it to the ceiling above your casting area and set tension to offset moulds weight. A simple pully and counter weight will do the same thing. 2 pulleys one over the pot and one behind bench a light weight cord ran thru them and a plastic jar on one end a clip for the mould. Use cast bullets shot or other weights in the plastic jar to Balance the mould handles combination. the weight is behind the bench out of the way. Set the length of the cord so there is leeway in movement up and down from pot to bench dropping bullets

[bobthenailer]

You need some type of bullet mould guide/support I use the old lyman mould guide that I adapted to fit the RCBS pot by drilling 2 holes in the rcbs's pot mounting base. the rcbs came with a bent rod with 2 adjustiable barrel stops for horozintal adj but you were balancing the mould on the thin bent rod. the lyman can fully support the mould as well as keep it aligned right & left with the pot spout and has a adjustiable mould stop so the first rear cavitywill be aligned with the spout
I have 5 saeco 8 cavity moulds and they are a lot lighter than H&G moulds as well as 6,4,3,2, cavity and it works excellent with all moulds
Another note don't close the mould suspended in the air as the mould alignement pin holes will get egg shaped and your mold will be out of alignement ! set the mould on a flat surface and then close the mould this will keep the holes from going oversize

[LabGuy]

See if some one here has a 4 cavity they will swap you for.

[jsizemore]

H&G used to do this early on to help with weight:

http://www.hensleygibbs.com/molds/pot%20belly%20mold.jpg

[Irascible]

thanks.....all food for thought.

[LenH]

I bought a mold shelf from a guy for a ProMelt. It really helps with those 6 & 8 cavity H&G's.


Check NOE, Al makes a mold guide that fits most pots & has adapters for those different pots.

[Dragonheart]

Not too difficult to make your own rest. I don't know why RCBS hasn't made one for the Pro Melt as that single rod is a joke. This one can even take the weight of a 10 cavity mold. The H&G 10 and 6 cavity molds are really too heavy, I know! I can get more production running two 4 captivates simultaneously. I personally would not try to lighten the mold, just sell it as is and look for a 4 cavity.
229541229542

[FISH4BUGS]

Personally I wouldn't touch the mould at all.
The #51 is also my go to mould for 38/357. I like it because it has a lube groove the size of the Panama Canal. :)
I have 4 cavities in both the GC and PB design.
I also use 6 8 and 10 cavity H&G's for some of the submachine gun calibers. S55 (.380) 10 cavity is a monster to use. It puts out a a TON of bullets to shoot in the Mac M11A1 subgun.
I use a 20 lb Lee Production Pot with a mould guide.
That is the only way to help with the weight of the H&G's.
If you use a mould guide you won't notice the weight so much.
Those big H&G's are works of the machinist's art. It would be a sin to cut them down.

[Valley-Shooter]

I once saw an H&G on eBay that someone lightened by drilling holes into the mould blocks. They drilled holes everywhere they could. It looked like Swiss cheese.

[brassrat]

We don't need pics on that one hehe

[FISH4BUGS]

We don't need pics on that one hehe

That would be as offensive as naked pictures of Rosie O'Donnell. :)

[jsizemore]

That would be as offensive as naked pictures of Rosie O'Donnell. :)

Why would you say something like that? I thought there were rules about such stuff on this board.

[Irascible]

I didn't need that picture in my head.