I have become a mould hoarder

[FISH4BUGS]

Last night I did my annual love fest with my mould collection. I usually go through them annually one at a time for inspection and fondling.
I unwrap them, inspect them, then spray them with WD40 and rewrap the mould in a plastic shopping bag and tape it shut. The handles are hanging out of the wrapped mould. No need to wrap them. I store them Tupperware airtight bins under the bench.
I mark what the mould is on the tape so I know what is in there.
I do this annually or so just to make sure all is well.
I have way too many moulds, and duplicates of some.
Somehow I came up with 3 H&G #130's - 2 4 cavity and 1 8 cavity.
I found 2 H&G GC #45's 4 cavity.
I found a Lyman 358156 gc 4 cavity.
I even found an H&G 34 rb mould.
There are 4 SAECO moulds - 2 for 45 auto and 1 each for 357 and 44.
I already use the H&G #51 and the #503 as my go to for 38/357 and 44.
There are Lyman Devastator HP moulds, and single cavity moulds that I guess I was going to HP some day.
i absolutely love the H&G's and been collecting and using them for 40 years.....but man, when you have 3 of the same mould something is wrong. :)
Every year when I do this i tell myself I need to thin the herd.....but I just can't bring myself to do it because " I might like to use that some day". Some of these moulds I have no idea where i got them or how much I paid for them.
I really think that is the motivation for a hoarder...."I might use that some day".
How many of you are the same way?
How do you finally convince yourself to thin the herd?

[JimB..]

Yes, things from jars of screws to scraps of leather. Every now and then I have a purge. Same with tools except that I will replace or upgrade sometimes and don’t keep the old one unless it’s a screwdriver or wrench that I might need to grind for a specific task in the future. Molds, brass in calibers I don’t shoot, that stuff I hang onto until I happen to be in the right mood and someone mentions that they need it, then I give it away.

If wd40 is working for you then no real reason to change, but boeshield t9 is a far better protectant.

[Martin Luber]

I don't trust wd40, started using mineral oil. I have some boeshield...or it's new name is Sheath?

[rancher1913]

if you are not tripping over them and they are not costing anything to store than its not hording, I run a borderline operation here.

[Harter66]

I don't have many duplicates . I do have several that are all the rage that I will probably never use as a permanent solution . I have more 38/357 SWC than I should , 5 at last count I think .......that nasty cheap 358-158 RNFP Lee does all I could ask for and takes up less case space ..... but you never know a guy might "need" a 358477 and 446 or a flush and nose out WC for something . They do make a nice squirrel slayer loads in a 358 , it's not like 200,228,234,or 250 wouldn't do the job .
My 45s are just as bad , funny you should mention an 8C #130 mine runs 196 gr , 45-200 , at least 4 250-265s , .453-350 , 457-340 , 385 , 3@405ish , 500 , and 535 . It's only weird because I don't have a 230 but I do have a pending arrangement for a 454424 HP ...... Which I should be able to get down to 230 no problem .

I must have 6-7 7mm 130s and 3-4 270s in the same class 1 of which is an obscure Cramer B4 that in sequence should have been a 280-150 and instead is a 286-130 . There's that 7mm-168 that is exactly useless to me because the nose won't chamber in a 270 but rattles around loose in all of the 7mms . It's on the list for the .272-278 nose ream/lap list of things to do one day .

[Bob Fleming]

Has someone at the house been trying to make you feel guilty? You only have 5 38 moulds and your freaking out? Chill out brother and realize that you barely have enough moulds to get by.

[Harter66]

No just 5 different 38/357 SWC in the 150-158 range , 3 WC 2@148 +1@161 , RNFPs in 95 , 125 ,158 , 2@ 358-200 6C and several more up to 290? it might be a 300 gr . Without grabbing the book I can't remember ...... Easily 1/3 of the total count are 35&45 cal moulds 74 I think was the last count .

[Bob Fleming]

Thanks for clearing that up. There is nothing to worry about here.

[Petrol & Powder]

To me the term "hoarding" applies to collecting items of no value or to collecting a number of items far beyond a reasonable amount.
Keeping yesterday's newspaper to start a fire in a wood stove is not hoarding. Keeping every newspaper you ever purchased, is hoarding.
Washing and storing a few glass jars with lids for future use is not hoarding. Washing and storing every glass jar you ever acquired, is a problem.

A bullet mold is a tool and one that has a long lifespan. They are useful devices and, if cared for, will last a lifetime.
Having some duplicates of a tool is not only normal, it is desirable. Two is one and one is none.

So if you have a half a dozen 9/16" sockets, that's probably desirable (anyone that's ever rebuilt a Chevy small block knows that three quarters of that engine is held together with 9/16" fasteners). If you have two hundred 9/16" sockets, and you're not tool salesman......you should probably get some mental health counseling.

[45workhorse]

Fish4bugs, I feel your pain! Send me any mold that you have been hoarding, I will store them for you, so you won't feel so guilty! I will take good care of them, and I will send you pictures once a year, just so you can stay in touch with them!:kidding:

[AnthonyB]

You guys are making me feel better! Don't know if you have helped the OP, but I am more relaxed now. My problem area is old Lyman/Ideal designs as I can find them and and new MP brass molds as he produces them - I can't seem to order just one, because I remember what it was like when I started casting and couldn't get the mold options we have today.
Tony

[John Boy]

Fish4bugs ... keep working on your ‘hoarding’. I have over 200 molds for calibers starting with 22 LR up to 45-90 and many metrics. Many caliber duplicates for different bullets of the same caliber. Every mold is on a spreadsheet with corresponding value ... be surprised the values add up. I’ve done the same for all my dies, presses, powder chargers, reload inventory, naked bullets, powders and 1700 lbs of varied alloy lead. Purpose, I’m 77 and when I die, the estate will have the values including inventoried firearms so when sold the proceeds will put my granddaughters through college and also have left overs for their wedding dowries

[FISH4BUGS]

Yes but.......a couple of things....
I have been using WD40 for well into 40 years for mould storage. Never had one rust on me.
My habit of buying moulds is so bad, I bought a 6 cavity #258 41 mag 220 gr swc in great condition. I paid a premium for the condition.
Nothing weird about that except I don't own a 41 mag gun.
I just got a LatheSmith 41 sizer die so now I can cast and size/lube but not use them.
At least I can hoard it along with the rest of them. :)

[John Boy]

ATF fluid or Eezox will prevent any mold from rusting

[Scrounge]

Yes but.......a couple of things....
I have been using WD40 for well into 40 years for mould storage. Never had one rust on me.
My habit of buying moulds is so bad, I bought a 6 cavity #258 41 mag 220 gr swc in great condition. I paid a premium for the condition.
Nothing weird about that except I don't own a 41 mag gun.
I just got a LatheSmith 41 sizer die so now I can cast and size/lube but not use them.
At least I can hoard it along with the rest of them. :)

What you're saying is that you like to have all the stuff you need to reload for a caliber so when you do get the gun, you have what you need. Nothing wrong with that! That's my story... ;)

[rcslotcar]

My LGS had about 15 old Ideal,Cramer,Lachmiller,Ideal molds with handles for $30 each. Well, I bought 10 of them! I now have over 40 molds. I'm not a hoarder I'm a Collector! I'll probably cast a bunch then clean and store them.

[FISH4BUGS]

What you're saying is that you like to have all the stuff you need to reload for a caliber so when you do get the gun, you have what you need. Nothing wrong with that! That's my story... ;)
My gunsmith has 1000 41 mag brass that he would trade for a bunch of #503's.
I don't even own a 41 mag but it is tempting.
Then....JUST IN CASE, I find a Smith 57 or 58 I would have everything I need.
yeah....sure.....now THAT is a good reason to buy a gun, right? :)

[Winger Ed.]

Three of the wife & I's four parents were hoarders of all manner of 'useful things'.
After making 3 houses full of 'stuff' go away- which included everything from their parents and their houses-
we decided our heirs were not going to have to deal with all that.

We've pared ourselves down to what we actually use and enjoy.
The kids who aren't shooters, but think they're going to inherit a big weapons collection are in for a big surprise.

[MT Gianni]

Every 4 or 5 years I take the ones not in use to the sale barn.

[Walks]

At a Gun Show a few years back I bought an MTM 100 rd box for 44Mag/45Colt, just for the color - Tan.
It had 100 R-P .41Mag cases in it.
I haven't had a .41Mag in 30yrs.

And I have a fair number of 2cav
& 4cav Lyman/Ideal molds for the same bullet.

[FlyfishermanMike]

My gunsmith has 1000 41 mag brass that he would trade for a bunch of #503's.
I don't even own a 41 mag but it is tempting.
Then....JUST IN CASE, I find a Smith 57 or 58 I would have everything I need.
yeah....sure.....now THAT is a good reason to buy a gun, right? :)My first 44 mag was bought this way. I had collected a bunch of brass and had some dies I had found on sale years ago...

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[FISH4BUGS]

Well, I feel better now. I'm not crazy after all! :)

[ascast]

Well, I feel better now. I'm not crazy after all! :)

you have a good start..

[MostlyLeverGuns]

I have a bunch of molds. If I get a new firearm, I get a mold that will provide for that firearm. I have some rifles that I don't shoot much, but I still have molds for them. I also stock up on gas checks for calibers I MIGHT mold for. Closeouts are another place I accumulate molds. Most are aluminum so little maintenance required. I considered firearms, molds, tools all long term investments, molds have gone up in value and are useful tools, so they are investments. Investing is not hoarding. More molds - investing; more guns - investing.

[samari46]

Low man on the totem pole. Only have an even dozen and the handles to go with them. Frank

[sukivel]

I only have 16, so I need to catch up!!! I have about 7-8 in particular I am eyeballing though...


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[james23]

It is awful hard to walk by the gun show table and not pick up that mold and check out what it is and the price. Ya you don't really need it but they are asking a low price and you can trade it to someone who needs it right? Same as brass, its very hard not to buy more if the price is right, even though one probably has enough to last two lifetimes. But hey as one buddy said, it will look good at my estate auction!

[fatnhappy]

Hi, my name is Dean....

You know you're a mouldaholic when you have 3 versions of the 311290 and you're wondering if you should hollowpoint the single cavity lyman, but it casts so well you don't want to risk it, so you're looking for another SC to send Erik

[gwpercle]

You are just obeying Rule #1 & Rule #2 for Boolit Caster's

1. Never sell or lend a boolit mould to anyone !
2. You never have too many boolit moulds , you have ...extra's , spare's and backup's !

I bought my first mould in 1967 , my second a week later ...in 1993 I lost count ... I still can't walk past a good deal on an old mould at a flea market or yard sale ...
Fell into collecting NOE moulds / works of art..I need help !
I don't look at E-bay any longer...much to tempting when nobody bids !
everybody has to collect something ... I collect boolit moulds

[Burnt Fingers]

If my wife ever sees the spreadsheet I use to keep track of my molds I won't be able to post here any longer.

[FISH4BUGS]

Fell into collecting NOE moulds......
everybody has to collect something ... I collect boolit moulds

Unfortunately, I fell into collecting Hensley & Gibbs moulds..... :)

[45workhorse]

If my wife ever sees the spreadsheet I use to keep track of my molds I won't be able to post here any longer.

Dang, I didn't think about that. I have them stored in a multi drawer tool box. Printed spread sheet on the top when opening, telling me me my asperly aimless, no lube grove mold is in drawer 5 right side

[FISH4BUGS]

Dang, I didn't think about that. I have them stored in a multi drawer tool box. Printed spread sheet on the top when opening, telling me me my asperly aimless, no lube grove mold is in drawer 5 right side

....and I bet you roll your socks and belts when you put them away in the chest of drawers, too? :)

[smkummer]

Any 41 colt molds that you have no use for?

[gwpercle]

Unfortunately, I fell into collecting Hensley & Gibbs moulds..... :)

OUCH !!! :drinks:

Gary

[tja6435]

I admitted my problem to myself in 2014 and I can live with myself moving forward.