Lyman Colt 45 molds

[casterofboolits]

Hot diggity dawg! UPS just dropped off a pair of Lyman four cavity 45-250-RNFP molds. Now I can get those Pesky cowboy shooters off my back! [smilie=w:

I'll clean them up and take them for a test drive in the next couple of days.

[Jack Stanley]

Ya know ............ if'n them cowboys is that close to ya , a thirty-eight snub would work as well as anything to git 'em off'n yer back . Jest make sure ya plugs 'em agin when they hit the dirt !!

[smilie=l:Jack

[casterofboolits]

Not wanting to do them in! I cast and sell boolits for pocket money. SS ain't that great!

Friends have been bugging me for years to do some cowboy 45 Colt boolits. Now i can fill thier needs.

[geargnasher]

Hope your Lyman moulds work better than mine, I purchased a new 452664 2-cavity last year and it cast .449-451" out of round junk boolits. After repeated lapping sessions which enlarged but did not make it round I gave up and got an older one from a member here that actually casts .4525" with ACWW.

Also purchased a 454190 new about the same time, it casts round right at .4520" with ACWW if I don't run it too hot, if it starts medium frosting they are closer to .4515" even after a week. Hopefully, they have replaced the cherries for both of these as well as the worn-out boring vises and the new production moulds are round AND the advertized size with WW, which isn't #2, but used to be fine with their moulds.

Gear

[LAH]

My 45-250-RNFP is Lyman Silver Star which cast a perfect bullet at .454 from hot WW. It's a 2 cavity I purchased for testing. Great mould 'till a friend tried to remove the bevel base, now it's junk.

I await your test...............Creeker


Dry Creek Bullet Works
Dry Creek Firewood

[casterofboolits]

I'm just finishing up a large run of 38's (150 SWC and 158 RN). So, I'm planing to try the molds out on Monday. I have had good luck with Lyman molds over the last 30 years. I have close to a hundred Lyman four cavity molds. The only one to give me fits was a 215 grn SWC, just would not release the darn boolits!

Will post results then.

[Ed Gallop]

I've cast a couple thousand .454s 250 gr over the last few years without a problem with my Lyman molds. Also have a .452 I bought before slugging the barrel called for .454. The .454 leaves cleaner brass. I should sell the .452 because it just sits on the shelf. I use a Lee for 38, 9mm, and 30.30 that I bought before the Lyman. I'll spend more for Lyman in the future. The only thing I don't like about Lyman is having to keep them well oiled or they will rust. Don't have to scrub the aluminum Lee before use but that is a minor advantage. Ed.

[LAH]

The only thing I don't like about Lyman is having to keep them well oiled or they will rust. Don't have to scrub the aluminum Lee before use but that is a minor advantage. Ed.

Ed you might try Midway Drop Out. I spray moulds I wish to store & it works great. I clean the cavities & vent lines before casting with starting fluid & tooth brush. This method of cleaning will work with oil-stored moulds but takes much longer if you wish to remove all oil to prevent smoke while casting.

Just a thought but it's saved me a lot of time over the years.................Creeker




Dry Creek Bullet Works
Dry Creek Firewood

[huntinmo]

I have not had a lot of success with casting in the past and I feel that I have learned a lot since I found this forum and read some of the threads. I recently acquired a Lyman 452664 two cavity mold and was pleasantly surprised when it started dropping nice looking bullets that measured .454 with ACWW+a little tin. I am still working on locating and possibly repairing some of my reloading equipment so I have not had a chance to shoot any of these yet but I hope to get some loaded in the near future. I was not aware at the time when I got this mold that it casts a "cowboy" bullet and my intention is to use it for hunting, but it looks like it should handle that chore just fine. The load workup is about to begin!

[casterofboolits]

Actually got to start testing the Lyman 45-250-RNFPBB molds today. Cast 760 boolits.

The weight of the boolits from both four cavity was 249.5/250.0 grns. As cast Dia was 453/454.

Molds began to produce excellent boolits within four dumps.

Alloy was 50/50 WW and indoor range lead. Then added 1.5 lbs of virgin linotype alloyed with 10% tin. Lino and tin were purchased from RotoMetals.

Would have made more, but my Huskey made a break for the wild blue yonder and had to run the SOB down. His favorite snack is housecat!

The only problem is that the molds get hot fast, so I added a third mold. A Lyman 40-175-TCBB to stretch the cooling time out. But no joy! Mounted a small squirel cage blower on the bench and sat the 45 molds on it every 4 to 5 dumps. Smooth sailing after that. The 40 mold did not have to be cooled at all. I guess it was the extra 300 grns of lead!

All in all, I am happy with the new Lyman 45 colt molds.

[LAH]

Would have made more, but my Huskey made a break for the wild blue yonder and had to run the SOB down. His favorite snack is housecat!

Had a few around like that................Creeker



Dry Creek Bullet Works
Dry Creek Firewood

[Ed Gallop]

Ed you might try Midway Drop Out. I spray moulds I wish to store & it works great. I clean the cavities & vent lines before casting with starting fluid & tooth brush. This method of cleaning will work with oil-stored moulds but takes much longer if you wish to remove all oil to prevent smoke while casting.

Just a thought but it's saved me a lot of time over the years.................Creeker

Dry Creek Bullet Works
Dry Creek Firewood


I'll give it a try. I'm learning a lot on this forum. Thanks.

[LAH]

Ed the Drop Out doesn't bother anything while casting as long as it's removed from the cavities & vent lines. I like it on top the mould & both sides the sprue cutter.

BE SURE to use the starting fluid outside with no ignition source near.



Dry Creek Bullet Works
Dry Creek Firewood

[Jack Stanley]

It's good to hear that Lyman got one right for you , the last five I bought , only one was usable . After they went back to Lyman for adjustment they were not much better . It's not likely I'll choose their product again .

If ya need a supplement to the socialist security payment , I'm looking for older Lyman/Ideal four cavity molds in thirty caliber . As payment , I've got cash or my wifes housecat .:)

Jack

[casterofboolits]

Jack

Sorry, all my Lyman molds are for pistol, 38 thru 45.

People trade me molds for boolits and I'll keep my eyes open for any 30's that might show up.

The only odd mold I have is an old Ideal armory mold that has seven cavities and casts 100 grn 38 wadcutters. This thing weighs twice what my H&G eight cavity molds weigh and even has a grease nipple on the pivot!

Fred

[Jack Stanley]

Thanks Fred , I appreciate that . I don't have the problem of being a dollar short , just two minutes late on the sale page is all :sad: I've seen the older molds for 311466 , 311291 and even a 311334 , the story was the same . Either "not for sale" or too late .

Perhaps when I retire I can fit in a little more casting and shooting .

Jack