How many molds

[Artful]

One less today - gave a Lee 6 cavity to my buddy for Xmas :bigsmyl2:

[maxreloader]

I own at least 100+ but not 150. I collect and use quality... zero Lee here. Lots of older Ideals and many H&G 6-10 cavs.

[Tenbender]

I have bought some good mold's on fleesBay lately. Good price's/ Must be the season.

[DerekP Houston]

As the saying seems to go a heckuva lot more than before I found this site..................

Art

Yeah same here...now I know about Mihec and NOE as well ;). 10 right now, will add to the collection slowly.

[GhostHawk]

2 Lee 6 cavity's, .224 "Bator" and .356 124 gr tc.

1 lyman .445 double round ball mold.

In 30 cal the .312 155 gc, .312 185 gc, .311 90 and the .314 90 gr,
.358 158 gr round nose, tl (this one has cast at least 1000 boolits). The new .358 200 grain gas check.

A .410 180 gr tl, a .401 175 gr tl (.40sw highpoint carbine loves these)

2 .430 molds, a 220 gr and the big .430 310 gc for the .444 marlin Handi rifle.

2 .45 molds, both .452, 230 gr newer one has shallower lube grooves.

3 fishing sinker molds, 2 buckshot molds, .22 and .30 caliber.

All in all a pretty nice collection for 2 years. I have yet to have a bad lee mold. Some are harder to understand than others. The 2 .312's both need replacing, I beat the **** out of both of these. I may try removing the gas check as that is where my problems lie. Fortunately I found a better way. No more beating on molds.

[6622729]

I didn't own so many, until I started hanging around on this forum!!!! :lol: :grin:
The number is rising weekly!

Got 30+

Quickly having the same problem. Came here with 1 mold. In just a few months I already have 4 and added a gun in a caliber just so I could cast for it. Have over 400# of lead accumulated for casting. I'm hooked. Wife should have never looked away. She's knows I have terrible OCD.

[coxa2]

4 for now, but always looking to add to the collection.

[Marturios]

Three for me. Currently, I only cast for the 9mm and .45 acp. I'd like to get started on the rifles soon if I can.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

too many to count, I should be ashamed of myself :shock:

[goryshaw]

Just 11 right now, but another 1/2 dozen or so on my wish list.

2x .45-70, Lee 457-500, Lee 459-405 HB
2x .45 Colt, Lee 452-255, RCBS 45-270 SAA
Lee 452-228
Lyman 429421
Lee 358 125
RCBS 32-98 SWC
NOE 311299 & 314299
NOE 225 70

[Hickok]

Recounted and at present I am at 28 molds. Do I need anymore?...probably not....do I want any more?...Oh Yeah!

[richhodg66]

Quite a few. Been meaning to carefully go through all of them and sell off ones I really don't use much I just never seem to get around to it.

[flint45]

Have right around 35 the best are the 2 I got at accurate man thier nice.

[dragon813gt]

Somewhere around 50. There are to many I haven't cast w/ yet. I'm slowly going through them to rectify that issue. But then there is the load workup after that. To much work, not enough time.

[DerekP Houston]

2 more NOE just arrived today! 3 days from order to house, quite nice.

[cpaspr]

I selected 1-10 from a quick memory check.

I was wrong.

4 - 452 & 454 diameter
2 - 429 diameter
1 - 401 diameter
1 - 358 diameter
1 - 356 diameter
3 - 308 diameter

[oger]

Over 300, most of the non H&Gs were acquired at an estate sale from someone crazier than me.

[Retumbo]

My slug mold came in before Christmas :)

[500MAG]

I think I have double the molds I had the first time I answered this thread.

[krems]

I have over 50 molds from various makers not counting the ones I've made for myself. Mostly in handgun calibers and black powder rifle bullets. It's time to start thinning the herd down a little but it's hard to part with them.

[cigarman454]

last time i checked I think it was 27

[Bruntson]

I have 3 not bad since I have yet to cast a boolit...

[shoot-n-lead]

Not sure how many, now...but I have been thinning the herd and I intend to thin it more...gonna get down to about 2 molds per cartridge as this is all I use.

[ascast]

not sure if I weighed in yet, but well over 350. I have a machine and has about 160 in sets. The balance just float in and land.
it really becomes an illness

[Greg S]

2 x 32
2 x 45
1 x 475
2 pending birth Mihec 45-270 and 475
Looking for a deal on a Lyman 358665?
Researching a 3-350 and a 405 for the 45-70

Got an appt this week with the doctor to see if this is an acute or fatal disease... In the meantime, I'm just going to enjo y it for what it is.

[StuBach]

Charlie you are among many I'd guess, When I started this forum I couldn't even spell "boolit" now I makes them.

Edd

P.S. I just did a talley last week and I was at over 75, and just added 2 more today!!!!!


So if your a charter member of the Michigan liars club does that mean you really don't own any?

[TXGunNut]

Ran out of room and had to move them, counted 32 today. I think I have a couple on the way and my new storage system is running out of room fast. I can stop any time I want.....yeah, right! lol

[Half Dog]

I seem to be in the catagory with Bruntson. On another thread I would like to know how long it took to collect the molds and if there are any left in the USA.

[Tenbender]

I have bought 7 sense the New Year ! lol One Noe, 4 Lyman and 2 RCBS. I'm throwing the Lee molds in the corner.

[gtgeorge]

I am way beyond the max of this poll unlike the other that had me climbing it's ladder along the way. I see buying molds much like the same addiction I have seen in some women buying shoes or purses. I am pretty sure all those in the 1-10 range will find they climb the ladder too over the years.

[Doggonekid]

I'm one of those 11+. Bought 2 so far this year. One NOE which I love and one LEE. It was my second Lee mold. It is a 6 cavity 356 mold. My first Lee was a 2 cavity for $20 including the handles. My RCBS handles are twice that price. I didn't pay much for my first Lee mold and I didn't expect much. (I don't like them.) However my 6 cavity mold I am impressed with. I will buy more Lee 6 cavity molds in the future.

[StuBach]

Sadly I'm only at 10 with 11th on order through the MiHec 358429 buy which will be my second custom.

Was lucky enough to inherit six original Ideal 1-2 cavity molds and these two beautiful Original H&G molds (one is actually before Gibbs joined the picture). 6cav is a #130 mold for 45 SWC and the 4cav is #50 for 38 WC. Both are amazing to cast with compared to the Lee I bought myself.


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[waco]

Only 20-25 I think......

[S.B.]

4x500. 3x44, 2x41, 2x357/38, 3x45, 1x45 rifle.
Steve

[Ricochet]

If you know how many moulds you have, you don't have enough.

[GONRA]

GONRA has 28 olde Lymans, 4 olde Lees.

[ak_milsurp]

Hmm 35 molds.....

[MT_DD_FAN]

Jeez, how many moulds...Isn't that sorta like asking how many beers do you like? LOL

[Ural Driver]

Only three.....but I am a real newb to casting. Still gathering my equipment together.......I'll do better, I promise.

[Leadmelter]

89 I think? I made a list but bought more! Crazy
Leadmelter
MI

[osteodoc08]

42 or 43, have an NOE that needs paid for and I'm sure a few others I havent logged in my quick reference on my iPhone.

[GWM]

At the moment 8 Ideal/Lyman, 5 NOE, 3 Accurate Molds, 3 RCBS, 1 Mountain Mold and 1 CBE.
A few more NOE and Accurate Molds on the way.

[pill bug]

Haha, Way to many. Probably more that a hundred. Started with the common lyman/ideals and progressed to the more exotic and harder to find ones that caught my interest as a kid. and added a few Armory molds for good measure. Was lucky, hit up E-bay when molds were cheap. But jeez, That was a while ago.

[Ithaca Gunner]

I've never counted them, but I bought my first in 1973 and have added to the lot since. I don't even know how many molds I have in any specific caliber, but I think the most in any caliber is for .30 rifle with I'm guessing, is around 7-9. The least is for .38-55 with just 2.

[jp99]

got about 11or 12 just started a year or so ago so will be adding more calibers and mold designs to it soon

[trooperdan]

I'm right at 100 but with my advancing age and a young wife that is likely to sell stuff for what I told her I paid for it when I kick the bucket, I am thinning the herd right now!

[trapper9260]

I do not know how many I have .i stop counting after about 10.that was some time ago and then is not counting my sinker and jigs molds also.But I know there will be other molds that I will see that I will work on getting later but in time who knows.

[drifterdon]

Only 4 so far
1 for .38/.357
2 for .50 BP
1 for .54 BP
I only think I need 2 or three more. For the .38 and .44

[DerekP Houston]

wooooo new h&g arrived to add to the collection.

[fredj338]

Not actually counted but over 20. Since I have found affordable custom guys like Accurate, I seem to keep finding something else I "need". Compared to commercial bullets though, molds are cheap.

[Boolseye]

I've joine the over-30 crowd, I think I'm at 35 or 36.

[quasi]

if you actually know how many you have, you do not have enough!

[yenningComity]

New to this, so two. Problem is one is not even in a caliber I own (357446 mold). Bought it for the handles. Both are ideal/lyman two cavities so the plan is to clean them up, cast a few bullets. Might trade/sell the the 357 to get the 10mm mold I actually need or hold onto it as an excuse to get another 357.

[NoZombies]

5 years ago my answer was around 50. Now it would be "hundreds"

[blue32]

Casting for maybe 6 months now. Have 5 molds. Trying not to buy anymore for the rest of the year.

[6bg6ga]

44 magnum (2)
45LC (2)
45 acp (2) RN
(2) 185gr SWC
(2) 200 gr SWC
38 cal 158 SWC (2)
38 cal 160 rn (2)
9mm 124 (2)
38 cal 125gr rn (1)

[Leadmelter]

I have about 80+.
Leadmelter
MI

[ascast]

New to this, so two. Problem is one is not even in a caliber I own (357446 mold). Bought it for the handles. Both are ideal/lyman two cavities so the plan is to clean them up, cast a few bullets. Might trade/sell the the 357 to get the 10mm mold I actually need or hold onto it as an excuse to get another 357.

ha I have 5 gal buckets full of handles

[S.B.]

I never have enough! Always one more I need.
Steve

[Texas by God]

Enough to keep shooting the calibers I shoot- but I need more.
I look at every "WTS molds" that gets posted!

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[Joby]

I like molds. Steel. Brass. Aluminum. And some I made from graphite.

[MT Gianni]

Well I have sold a lot and reduced some calibers but still way over 30.

[Greg S]

15 right now, 3 of which in the oven so to speak with probably another 5-15 on the horizon.

[Cheeto303]

My latest count is 73 molds. I need more.

[Mjdd23]

I've only been casting for 5 months maybe less so right now I have 4 molds all .358 for my Blackhawk and .35 Marlin. All are 2 cavity Lee right now but I can't wait to upgrade when funds allow.

[Teemu]

Something like 120-130... And more to come :bigsmyl2:

[SteveK]

Multi sinker mold = 1
2 cav .45 SWC mold = 1
2 cav .45 RN mold = 1
6 cav .45 RN mold = 1
2 cav 9mm SWC mold = 1
2 cav 9mm RN mold = 1
6 cav 9mm RN mold = 1
6 cav .223 FP mold = 1
and I need a .30 cal mold (someday)

[Yogi]

Started counting 28 and i know there are more that havent been unpacked frm the other house and 2 more at my brothers, wow thats more than i realized . Now where did i stash the other boxes at when we moved? Look another mold , guess i need to use up some ingots in the morning.

[Cosmic_Charlie]

Two. A Lee 6 cav 158TL and an RCBS 44-250-K. Pretty sure I need a 9mm Lee 6 cav for my Springfield R.O. and perhaps a rifle mold in 8mm Mauser or .308. I think 1 new mold a month is reasonable? But I also need a new Henry .357 carbine to help consume all boolits that Lee 6 cav is producing. And now that I think of it a 172 gr. .357 mold might be useful.........

[Bobcat503]

Found this site and lurked for awhile. Joined last week. About two years I decided to take the plunge and started reloading for a 9mm. Just used factory bullets to “see if I liked it”! Well, didn’t take too long to decide that it was getting a little expensive, so I looked into casting. I need to give a shout out (or maybe shout at!) Fortunecookie45lc for his videos on casting using a dipper. Again, I started with one mold “to see if I liked it.” That’s when the trap sprung! I now cast and load for 5 different rifle calibers and 4 pistol. Powder coat all of them also. Still haven’t found the savings because there’s always something else I “need!” Over 12 molds in about a year and a half. I was gona confess to having a problem, but compared to some on here I’m apparently ok. For now anyway 😳

[wjham77]

Uh, 30-40. I've only had time to cast with bout half, I like to scour eBay for old Lyman , modern bond, belding mull molds. I usually buy one a month. Lot of the time they need some TLC before they're ready to cast

[jessdigs]

6, I have been casting about a year.
9mm, .40, .45, .223, .308 (x2)


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[Texas by God]

14. All Lee. No problems.

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[dragon813gt]

14. All Lee. No problems.

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This made me cringe. One of the happiest days of my life was when I sold off my last Lee mood. The one good thing to happen after Sandy Hook was the inflated market. Nothing like selling used Lee molds for more than I paid. eBay was a lot better back then.

[StuBach]

Up to 23 now.

In order of favorites:
4 H&G
7 MP
10 Lyman/Ideal
1 NOE (good mold just prefer iron or brass)
1 Lee

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[Texas by God]

This made me cringe. One of the happiest days of my life was when I sold off my last Lee mood. The one good thing to happen after Sandy Hook was the inflated market. Nothing like selling used Lee molds for more than I paid. eBay was a lot better back then.I'm sorry. I should have have kept it to myself.

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[SciFiJim]

I'm sorry. I should have have kept it to myself.

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Don't be sorry. Be proud of what you have that works well. I have four Lee molds that work well for me along with a couple of dozen molds from other manufacturers. I also have a couple of Lee molds that are temperamental, but can be make to work.

[Grmps]

Lee Precision products are where so many people started and still use.
Yes, I like my NOE molds but I always keep going back to my Lee 6 cavity molds.

I would buy a new Lee mold BEFORE a new Lyman mold, especially in multi-cavity.
In my opinion, The new Lyman has gone to the birds. their quality control, warranty and customer service have gone down the drain.

Don't get me wrong, I love (and have a bunch of) their old stuff (they used to be as good as RCBS)

[NoZombies]

I don't mind Lee 6 cavity molds. I've probably got a dozen or more of them.

[toallmy]

I have put together a mix match of assorted molds since I started casting of around 20 or so and enjoy using every one of them even a 2 cavity lee for the 380 a friend picked up for 4.00 NIB for me at a little older gun shop .

[GregLaROCHE]

I’m just starting so am still in the 1-10 group. I was surprised to find how many were in the 30+ group. I have mostly Lee molds, they seem to work OK, but recently got an RCBS. There is a difference. I’m now getting ready to start investing in the higher dollar ones.

[shell70634]

30+ I've got more than I need, fewer than I want.

[StuBach]

I’m just starting so am still in the 1-10 group. I was surprised to find how many were in the 30+ group. I have mostly Lee molds, they seem to work OK, but recently got an RCBS. There is a difference. I’m now getting ready to start investing in the higher dollar ones.

Welcome to the addiction. My condolences...[emoji16][emoji4]

[jonp]

I'm sorry. I should have have kept it to myself.

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I have several and they work well for me. Lee puts out equipment for those of us that like to reload or cast but don't have $100 to spend on a mold. All of my Lee molds cast perfectly well. I just dropped a bunch of 90gr 32H&R Mag boolits and they were fine from boolit #1

[44Blam]

I just ordered another one... BUT I wanted the 30 CXB for my .308... I just wanted it...
The wife says "but you have a 174 grain 30 caliber mold..." I told her that I wanted it and we have a GC for dinner this Friday, so we will save $100 on dinner.

She bought it! :D So I did too! :D :D :D

[midnight]

About ten years ago when this thread started I posted a count of around 100. That needs an update. Last count put me just a few shy of 200. At this rate I'll have 200 before i finish this post.

Bob

[RogerDat]

I only have one mold.... per bullet profile, caliber, and weight. No wait, I have two of the same Lee 324 mold for 8mm. Other than that all are one offs. At least on my shelf.

I try to pick the one or two per caliber that will provide what I want to reload and then stop. Heavy and light, or WC and SWC and RNFP then done. Most are Lee, with many being 2 cavity. How many 45 colt rounds do I need to cast? Only a matter of time until I'm ahead by several hundred. That said I do have a few molds I want to get where I already have something I can load that shoots well. Would like a lower weight bullet for .357 Mag. and or a hollow point. Might want another mold for .30 rifle.

I'm also fond of the 3 and 4 cavity Aluminum NOE molds for increased production at a moderate hand weight.

Like I said only one mold, for a given bullet :-)

[Texas by God]

I have several and they work well for me. Lee puts out equipment for those of us that like to reload or cast but don't have $100 to spend on a mold. All of my Lee molds cast perfectly well. I just dropped a bunch of 90gr 32H&R Mag boolits and they were fine from boolit #1Junky mould/ 100yds/ 30-30.
I don't see an upgrade needed.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181203/74228e59778e63c91f6c4a464d18bb03.jpg

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[Reverend Al]

According to my wife too many ... but I don't think I have enough yet ... so it's a draw ...

;-)

[bob208]

2 drawers full plus one shelf. the shelf has lee top drawer has ideal and lyman. second has rcbs.

[Walks]

About three times as many as when this Poll started.

[murf205]

Well, 1 more since NOE ran another sale. It's a 454-276gr SWC for my 25-5. It's a sickness,for sure but.....at least we wont have a boolit shortage.

[gwpercle]

Ok, I have to ask. Why in the world would someone need more than one mold for each caliber?

He must be a Newbie ... veteran casters don't say things like this .
having only one mould for each caliber... Now that's Funny !

What's this need thing ...need doesn't have a thing to do with casting and moulds .

[cwlongshot]

I couldn't give ya a number. But I added two this week... ;)

CW

[Bookworm]

Three dozen. Just counted today.

[kevin c]

I started with one per caliber I own. That didn't last long.

[glaciers]

Close to 50. That's ball park, as I'm to tired to walk up/out to my shop in the snow. I used pictures on my computer showing my casting boxes. Three mid tool boxes, one with 4 drawers, 2 with 2 drawers each. The 4 drawer and one of the 2 drawer boxes are full at 7 molds with handles per drawer, and the bottom 2 drawer has some room for growth, about 1/2 full. So that's about 50. Being real picky about buying new molds, and could - should sell off a couple.

[smithnframe]

This post prompted me to take a count.......83!

[adcoch1]

Just getting started and I have 5. A old Lyman 4 cav 148 wc in 358, a 158 swc lee in 358, a new as of yesterday 200 grn 358 gc 6 cav lee, and another new 310grn gc Lee 6 cav 430, and a 240 grn 6 cav tl Lee.

Like I said, just getting started, need a few 458 molds and a couple 30 cal molds too, especially a 200 grn plus for subsonic 300 blk... Lots in my future...

[30coupe]

Wow! You guys with 30+ molds amaze me! Are you casting for others? To sell?

At my age, I have trouble keeping track of 7-8 molds, lol! I cast strictly for my own use, and I don't have enough different calibers to warrant a lot more molds.

[PapaG]

84, I think. I keep finding more as we moved recently and haven't stabilised. I know at least three more that I loaned out decades ago.
I now have four cavity Lymans in my favorite handgun styles, 358156, 357446, 358429, 429421, 429215, 429244, and 452460.
All time faves, the above plus 454424, 311316, 311291, 457124, 22 Bator.

[John Van Gelder]

I am at a point where I am wondering is there is a support group for compulsive mold buyers..

[Harter66]

I responded when this thread was quite young , I've 60 some now .
At some point I had tried to pare things down to just a couple per caliber ....... It was fine for a 38 and 357 even the 9mm didn't run me over 2 but then came a 358 Win and a 380 ........
45s , umm yeah , same thing , you can get by with 1-2 and feed most of of the pistols but add a rifle ........ I have 3 in 457 , 3 for BP and at least 5 in .452 .

[shdwlkr]

wow (70)
I have a lot more moulds than I thought and I am still getting more.