"NEW" H&G #503 (.430" 250 gr Keith)

[Dale53]

I jsut ran about 700 of these with my "new" (used) H&G #503 bullet mould. It is a two cavity mould picked up a few months ago at the OGCA. The mould had been used but lovingly cared for. It came complete with handles. For those that care, it has original Keith dimensions:
1 - Three full diameter bands
2 - One large, square bottomed grease groove
3 - Large meplat and bore diameter wad cutting shoulder
4 - A large crimp groove tapered to easily open the crimp when fired.

This particular mould is just perfect for me. It casts just barely over .430" and the .430" Star sizing die just barely "cleans up". In other words, near perfect in my alloy (approximately the same as Lyman #2 for the use this bullet will be put to). If I was never allowed to own another bullet mould for my .44's (perish the thought:confused:) I would still be well served from mild target and pleasure loads to heavy .44 magnum loads for game.

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj80/Dale53/QHG503bullet-1734.jpg

Further, when you run the mould at the correct temperature for the alloy, the bullets drop easily from the mould with a single light tap on the handle hinge.

Ah-h-h, life is good!:mrgreen:

Dale53

[Lucky Joe]

Dale, that is a nice boolit, one for all seasons. I like the Keith design, would sure like to find one like that. They're like hens teeth I would imagine.

I'm curious though that center boolit with the little notch on the bottom is that a keeper or one to go back into the pot. If I were just plinking I'd probably shoot it and discard it for serious work, right, wrong.

[Catshooter]

I have a four cavity of that boolit, it is a wonderful mould.


Cat

[Texasflyboy]

If there was ever a thing as mould porn, this would do it for me...

:-D

My personal fav is still this one, the 503 combo with the cherry driven deeper to 290 grains on two. I need to get it out and play with it some more one of these days.

Notice the difference between your mould and mine. The first driving band is much thicker on yours, I bet yours come out closer to 250 grains. I can barely get 245grains with one, 240 is more the norm. Obviously two different cherries were made for these 503's.

Beautiful bullets by the way.

http://hgmould.gunloads.com/molds/503s_9.jpg


http://hgmould.gunloads.com/molds/503_240.jpg

[Glen]

You gotta love what H&G did with Elmer Keith's original designs! One thing that isn't talked about much, but in my mind it's a significant contribution, are the small fillets that James Gibbs added to the "corners" of the lube and crimp grooves of Keith's original SWC design. The lube grooves were already beveled, but Gibbs added a very small radius to the "corners" of the lube grooves and this is one of the reasons that the H&G moulds release their bullets so easily. The photo above shows this feature nicely, if you look for it.

[FN in MT]

"mould porn" THAT made me laugh!

I've got a pair of older NEI 2 cavity moulds that cast as true a Keith ........as a "true Keith" is described by the Experts.

One is a .451" that drops a 275 gr slug, the other is a .411" that goes 255 grs. Both are very accurate at velocities from 850 fps to 1200+ fps. Elmer knew what he was doing!

I'd LOVE to have a matching .430" mould for my .44's. Yours is a beauty.

FN in MT

[Dale53]

Thanks to all. I truly believe that I found a "Treasure" when I ran across that one.

However, a good copy of the Lyman 429421 (they have varied through the years) is also a very good mould. I have a two cavity Lyman that I got last year at the OGCA (see a pattern here?). It has a square grease groove, also and I have had good results with both the round AND square grooves in this design with smokeless powder. I have not yet had time to run this one, yet. However, I will do so in the next few days to see how IT works.

Then, of course, I'll be trying them out on the range this Spring and see which one shoots better (I'm betting that either will get the job done).

Dale53

[Reloader06]

Dale

I have a 4 gang #503 that I got in a deal over a decade ago. I'm glad I kept it as I just bought a SBH. When its up to temp you almost have to try to make a bad bullet. I havent shot any yet but I'm chompin at the bit! Good luck with yours and I do believe we need a range report!

Matt

[Le Loup Solitaire]

I too have the 4 cavity version of the 503. It is a great design and the quality of the mold is exceptional in every way. Just to try something different I turned a replica of just the nose section out of some aluminum rod and with a tweezers I put it into one of the nose cavities. Results; a flat faced wadcutter weighing 175 grains that when trued/sized up at .429 at shoots into one inch at 25 yards off the bench with 5.5 grains of Unique. Never pushed this wc harder as it just does fine as is. Saves some lead, is easy on the hand and is a lot of fun to shoot. LLS

[Dale53]

Here I sit with tears in my eyes trying not to be envious over you fellers with your four cavity moulds:veryconfu.

All right! The whining is over and I am happy again (besides, your four cavity moulds are probably pink or something:mrgreen:).

Dale53

[Cooter]

those sure are some pretty bullets!!!

I surely would love to have me one of those H&G #503's!!!!

[rugerman1]

SCHEEZE! Some of you guys sure like them H&G moulds,huh? http://l.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/emoticons7/71.gif

[fivegunner]

I am very lucky to have not one but two H&G six cavity molds in 503. sure would like to have one like the Texas flyboy has with the 290 grain 503. :-D. :castmine: