Thompson Center Arms Molds?

[boatswainsmate]

Hello all,
I picked these molds up in big buy I made. Are they good quality? Thanks in advance. Boats
https://i.ibb.co/71Xqq4f/DSCN4521.jpg (https://ibb.co/vjHSSYF)

[Maven]

Although people deride T/C moulds because they're made of anodized aluminum, they cast to within a thousandth of an inch or two, and once up to temperature, cast beautifully. Btw, they're also well made and fairly hard to find in the packaging these days.

[boatswainsmate]

Although people deride T/C moulds because they're made of anodized aluminum, they cast to within a thousandth of an inch or two, and once up to temperature, cast beautifully. Btw, they're also well made and fairly hard to find in the packaging these days.

Thanks for the info.

[Theditchman]

Round Balls:
#7350 .490"
#7354 .530"

Maxi-Balls:
#7280 .45 - 240 gr.
#7290 .50 - 370 gr.
#7292 .54 - 430 gr.

Maxi-Hunters:
#7375 .50 - 350 gr.
#7376 .54 - 435 gr.

[Edward]

I use there maxi molds in different cal and they work well ,hard to come by for sure . They aren"t made anymore !

[boatswainsmate]

Round Balls:
#7350 .490"
#7354 .530"

Maxi-Balls:
#7280 .45 - 240 gr.
#7290 .50 - 370 gr.
#7292 .54 - 430 gr.

Maxi-Hunters:
#7375 .50 - 350 gr.
#7376 .54 - 435 gr.

Thanks

[boatswainsmate]

I use there maxi molds in different cal and they work well ,hard to come by for sure . They aren"t made anymore !

Thanks

[brewer12345]

Which ones did you get? I have and cast with a 50 cal maxi. Bought a 54 maxi in the packaging but have not used it yet since the 380 grain REAL has been shooting so well.

[boatswainsmate]

Which ones did you get? I have and cast with a 50 cal maxi. Bought a 54 maxi in the packaging but have not used it yet since the 380 grain REAL has been shooting so well.

45 Cal Maxi-Ball, 45 Cal .440 Ball, and a 54 Cal .530 Ball

[Theditchman]

I'm looking for a .54 maxi mold

[brewer12345]

45 Cal Maxi-Ball, 45 Cal .440 Ball, and a 54 Cal .530 Ball


Do you have 45 and 54 front stuffers? These are good molds. If you don't have the rifles or plan on doing so, I imagine you could sell them for a decent amount here or on fleabay.

Anyone shot the maxi hunters in 50 or 54? The molds go for a pretty penny, I just wonder how they shoot. In 54 I don't see much need because balls should put the hammer on deer and I want penetration for elk.

[boatswainsmate]

Do you have 45 and 54 front stuffers? These are good molds. If you don't have the rifles or plan on doing so, I imagine you could sell them for a decent amount here or on fleabay.

Anyone shot the maxi hunters in 50 or 54? The molds go for a pretty penny, I just wonder how they shoot. In 54 I don't see much need because balls should put the hammer on deer and I want penetration for elk.

Thanks for the info. I don't have anything these fit but you never know.

[brewer12345]

Thanks for the info. I don't have anything these fit but you never know.


I picked up muzzleloader shooting in the past year and it is a lot of fun. You should give it a try. Decent quality percussion or inline rifles can be had quite reasonably.

[Walks]

I've probably cast a 1,000 or more each .50cal and .54cal Maxi's from T/C Molds in the last 30yrs. Never had any problems. And the T/C Handles fit the old Lyman small block molds and vice/versa. But the wood is about an inch longer. Makes a difference.

[boatswainsmate]

I've probably cast a 1,000 or more each .50cal and .54cal Maxi's from T/C Molds in the last 30yrs. Never had any problems. And the T/C Handles fit the old Lyman small block molds and vice/versa. But the wood is about an inch longer. Makes a difference.

Thanks for the info

[trapper9260]

I had bought a used mold of TC and know it is for 50cal .Now see the numbers of what each is . Now I got something to go with. I got the mold cheap you can say just about given to me for the cost of it.

[quilbilly]

Both my 45 Seneca and 45 Cherokee shoot their best with round balls produced from a T/C round ball mold. I have tried several other molds that produce the same size RB's from my measurement and none produced the same accuracy. I have never figured that out but it just is.

[onelight]

I’ve shot the maxi hunter In a renegade and a buddy used them in his new englander it shot well in both , lookin through some molds today and saw that maxi hunter forgot I had it.

[boatswainsmate]

Both my 45 Seneca and 45 Cherokee shoot their best with round balls produced from a T/C round ball mold. I have tried several other molds that produce the same size RB's from my measurement and none produced the same accuracy. I have never figured that out but it just is.

Thanks

[boatswainsmate]

I’ve shot the maxi hunter In a renegade and a buddy used them in his new englander it shot well in both , lookin through some molds today and saw that maxi hunter forgot I had it.

Thanks

[smithnframe]

I have a lightly used 54 caliber maxi ball mould.......what are these worth?

[brewer12345]

On eBay, probably $50 plus shipping.

[swheeler]

I have the 36 cal Maxi and the 50 cal maxi both cast well

went and looked have the .54 cal maxi also

[Buzzard II]

I'm still looking for a T/C #7355 RB mold.

[Tom W.]

Those are new compared to the two that I bought. they came in a little cardboard box.... Handles extra, of course.

[oconeedan]

I have what I think is a TC 50 370 gr Maxi-Ball mould and 50 rb mould. They are red anodized aluminum.
I know that shooting a deer with the maxi ball is like stabbing through them with a half inch pipe! I haven't used the mould since I sold my fast twist gun.

[megasupermagnum]

I have what I think is a TC 50 370 gr Maxi-Ball mould and 50 rb mould. They are red anodized aluminum.
I know that shooting a deer with the maxi ball is like stabbing through them with a half inch pipe! I haven't used the mould since I sold my fast twist gun.

Did the maxi balls cause much damage internally, or did it just make a 1/2" hole all the way through?

[oconeedan]

Did the maxi balls cause much damage internally, or did it just make a 1/2" hole all the way through?

I wouldn't say massive internal damage, but half inch holes on both sides is all you need.

[megasupermagnum]

I wouldn't say massive internal damage, but half inch holes on both sides is all you need.

That's what I was worried about, and sure enough it is the only bullet, including patched round ball, my rifle will shoot as well as I want. Thanks.

[MFGordon]

I remember reading years ago that Thompson Center molds were actually made by the Shiloh Rifle company back when they were in Long Island, NY and not Thompson Center. Has anyone else heard this? It would make sense because before makin Sharps reproduction rifles I recall that Shiloh's business was to make molds for black powder rifles especially for rifled muskets.

[oconeedan]

That's what I was worried about, and sure enough it is the only bullet, including patched round ball, my rifle will shoot as well as I want. Thanks.

I really wouldn't worry, and i wouldn't hesitate to hunt with the maxi ball again if I had a gun to shoot it well. They can't go far without blood, and a blind man can follow the trail....if the critter makes it out of sight.

[megasupermagnum]

I really wouldn't worry, and i wouldn't hesitate to hunt with the maxi ball again if I had a gun to shoot it well. They can't go far without blood, and a blind man can follow the trail....if the critter makes it out of sight.

There's no doubt it would be effective, but it seems odd to me to shoot a gun that kicks like a 12 gauge slug, and has the performance of a 357 magnum. At least penetration will never be of concern. I've tried every trick in the book to get round ball to shoot to my liking in my renegade, and can't do it. I'll take accuracy of the maxiball over the bigger wound channel of the round ball in this case. I'll be trying it out this fall. It's not too late to try and hollow point some maxiball's either...

[brewer12345]

There's no doubt it would be effective, but it seems odd to me to shoot a gun that kicks like a 12 gauge slug, and has the performance of a 357 magnum. At least penetration will never be of concern. I've tried every trick in the book to get round ball to shoot to my liking in my renegade, and can't do it. I'll take accuracy of the maxiball over the bigger wound channel of the round ball in this case. I'll be trying it out this fall. It's not too late to try and hollow point some maxiball's either...

I'm not sure it is worth the effort to hollow point. Consider what it is like when you hit a deer with a 30-30. Similar-ish energy levels and if you are lucky the bullet expands to 50 cal or so. Millions of deer have been taken with 30-30 without a lot of fuss. I would not sweat it.

I have settled on a 380 grain REAL for elk this year, but I picked up a 54 cal maxi ball mold and might put it through its paces for elk next year. Believe the 54s cast at 420 grains, which should kill on both ends.

[megasupermagnum]

What scares me about the maxi-ball is that it is essentially a spire point. Most 30-30 cast bullet meplat's are bigger. Being soft lead, it probably just deforms into a round nose. You guys are probably right, I may be worrying about nothing. It does kick, it's a 1 ounce (mine are 435 grains) slug at about 1400 fps depending on the powder charge you use. The next thing I'm doing to my renegade is installing a kickeez recoil pad.

[Czech_too]

I remember reading years ago that Thompson Center molds were actually made by the Shiloh Rifle company back when they were in Long Island, NY and not Thompson Center. Has anyone else heard this? It would make sense because before makin Sharps reproduction rifles I recall that Shiloh's business was to make molds for black powder rifles especially for rifled muskets.

I have what appears to be a NIB .50 caliber Maxi-ball mould in a lightweight cardboard box. On the one side is printed "Designed and Distributed by Thompson/Center Arms Co."
The T/C literature is still in the box, but the mould is stamped "Lyman". Now did someone swap the mould out? Dunno

[Buzzard II]

I have what appears to be a NIB .50 caliber Maxi-ball mould in a lightweight cardboard box. On the one side is printed "Designed and Distributed by Thompson/Center Arms Co."
The T/C literature is still in the box, but the mould is stamped "Lyman". Now did someone swap the mould out? Dunno

I've got a Lyman mold in a T/C box also. Same question. Thanks.
Bob

[TGM]

The one for the .36 cal was not listed in previous post. I have one that I bought many years ago.

TGM

[brewer12345]

As I understand it, there was a period where Lyman made the molds for TC.

[Hanshi]

Many years ago I bought a couple of T/C molds not because I was looking for them specifically but because I was in a hurry to cast. The only one I'm using currently is the .350" round ball mold. I've got some sensationally small groups with these T/C ball. My only complaint is that they have a sprue that must be watched when loading. But all you have to do is seat them sprue-up. I also have a newer .350" Lee dbl cavity. They're aluminum like the T/C and also cast great ball; but no sprue and that doesn't matter. Aluminum molds are excellent and last forever if not abused. I do more casting with aluminum blocks than with my iron ones.

[Tom W.]

As an aside, today I went to the shed and found my T/C molds. I never bothered to see if they were aluminum or not. I stuck a magnet on them and was surprised to see that they were indeed aluminum, with the sprue plate and screws steel.

Hoodathunkit?

[RayinNH]

I've got a Lyman mold in a T/C box also. Same question. Thanks.
Bob

More than likely it is correct. I purchased a .45 TC Hawken in 1972 along with a Maxi Ball mold (Lyman made in a wood grain cardboard box) and a round ball mold made by O-Haus. I have since been given a .45 Maxi Ball mold that is aluminum with no maker name but in a similar wood grain box.