Multi-Cavity Iron HP Mold

[justindad]

I’ve never seen a multi-cavity hollow point mold made of iron. Is cost the only reason? I’m looking at Accurate Mold 45-210A to solve a particular quirk in my 3” 1911, and I’ll convert it to HP if all goes as planned. I’d like to get the iron version.

[ReloaderFred]

I’ve never seen a multi-cavity hollow point mold made of iron. Is cost the only reason? I’m looking at Accurate Mold 45-210A to solve a particular quirk in my 3” 1911, and I’ll convert it to HP if all goes as planned. I’d like to get the iron version.

You may want to review Erik's page at hollowpointmold.com. He does them all the time and his work is excellent. Here's the link: https://www.hollowpointmold.com/

Hope this helps.

Fred

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Here is one to look at.
4 cav Iron mold with all cavities having Cramer style Hollow points.
https://www.hollowpointmold.com/cramer-style-molds/?picture=2#2

[justindad]

Is cost the only reason why Lyman, NOE, MP, etc don’t produce 4-cavity iron HP mold?

[ReloaderFred]

Is cost the only reason why Lyman, NOE, MP, etc don’t produce 4-cavity iron HP mold?

Probably not the cost, but rather the R&D and time. They're selling everything they make, and taking on something new probably isn't in their budget. Machinists are becoming a rare commodity, just like any other skilled labor, so they have to make the best use of what they've got right now.

Hope this helps.

Fred

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Is cost the only reason why Lyman, NOE, MP, etc don’t produce 4-cavity iron HP mold?

I suspect there isn't the demand. I wouldn't want one, and I think that is common with most all boolit casters.

[Winger Ed.]

Is cost the only reason why Lyman, NOE, MP, etc don’t produce 4-cavity iron HP mold?

If there is a large enough demand for them, the major players will supply it.

I probably wouldn't buy one. I can drop six boolits from a two cavity mold in the time it takes to make one HP.
For mass production to punch holes in paper-- I wouldn't fool with making HPs with any number of cavity mold.
To practice up and hunt with, I'd make 1-2 hundred from a single cavity, but that's about it. And it'd last a few years.

Every body does things different, but even if the price of them wasn't a concern,
I think my case is fairly typical of the current market for multi cavity HP molds.

[Rapier]

Have you considered working with 4-6 moulds at once with a much larger weight bullet included, with a big flat meplat, does the same thing as a light HP, just a lot more violently. My social 45 ACP carries 8+1 of 252 grain revolver SWCs, a big flat nose. Had to work with it to get it to be reliable in function, but it can be done.

[Mal Paso]

MP Molds brass hollowpoint molds cast bullets just as fast as solid bullet molds.

I have asked Miha about Iron HP Molds. Except for casting machine molds so far all he is willing to do is Brass.

[15meter]

First the reason for iron? I've got both aluminum and iron 4 cavity molds. Much prefer the aluminum, way easier on the wrist.

I only have 2 HP molds. Lyman single cavity 457122 and a NOE 458 dia. of about 490 grains with the captive pins. The NOE mold works pretty good. Not sure I'd want to go back to an iron mold for 4 cavities.

The Lyman single cavity is sloooow to cast with. To the point that I picked up an Accurate mold that's a clone of the 457122 with no HP (but a gas check) for paper punching because the HP slowed things down so much.

[megasupermagnum]

I've cast with steel HP molds, and they work fine. In general I don't like steel molds, and it seems most people don't either. I prefer them to brass though. Besides cost, aluminum is far lighter, and I find it easier to cast with. Steel holds heat though, which some people like, plus it is very durable. Erik at hollowpoint molds will convert any type, and I don't believe he charges extra for steel. I could be wrong. Tom with Accurate molds charges quite a bit more for steel molds simply because they are so much harsher on tooling.