RCBS still making Molds?

[hylander]

I'm sure you probably already know this, but unless you use the exact same alloy the factory "proofs" their moulds with, weight and size are unlikely to match nominal specifications. This is why we have bullet sizers.

I do know, that's why I called LEE to ask what their alloy is.
Their reply is they don't have an alloy, they are not allowed to have lead on the premises.
So they have never used their own Molds
Would love to use my sizer's, however the bullets are already to small.
No other molds I have used have ever dropped to small.

[Dusty Bannister]

I do know, that's why I called LEE to ask what their alloy is.
Their reply is they don't have an alloy, they are not allowed to have lead on the premises.
So they have never used their own Molds


Utter B S, I will type part of the instructions that came with their two cavity molds.
"All bullet weights for Lee bullets are given using a one-to-ten lead/tin mix, except round balls and minis. These are designed to use pure lead."

Technically, they do not use an alloy, they use a mix.

[hylander]

I do know, that's why I called LEE to ask what their alloy is.
Their reply is they don't have an alloy, they are not allowed to have lead on the premises.
So they have never used their own Molds


Utter B S, I will type part of the instructions that came with their two cavity molds.
"All bullet weights for Lee bullets are given using a one-to-ten lead/tin mix, except round balls and minis. These are designed to use pure lead."

Technically, they do not use an alloy, they use a mix.

I figured they were giving me the run around.
Even their round ball mold I got cast under sized though.
The Lyman, RCBS and NOE molds I use cast a little over stated size which is perfect to size down.

[oldblinddog]

Already have a LEE, actually several.
None cast to advertised size, not even the round ball mold

add pure lead to your mix and the boolits will come out larger in diameter.

[Dusty Bannister]

add pure lead to your mix and the boolits will come out larger in diameter.

This is not correct! ANTIMONY will increase the as cast diameter.

[fredj338]

I do know, that's why I called LEE to ask what their alloy is.
Their reply is they don't have an alloy, they are not allowed to have lead on the premises.
So they have never used their own Molds
Would love to use my sizer's, however the bullets are already to small.
No other molds I have used have ever dropped to small.

Well that could explain why Lee molds are all over the place on size.

[762sultan]

If you watch the NOE forum you might see a 454 mold soon. Al is currently working very hard to fill the inventory of many molds that are showing that there are none available. I think they are 5-8 weeks behind but are making great strides to replenish the inventory. It would make a nice mold on your casting bench if you are not in a big hurry. Good things come to those who wait.!
sultan

[Ken in Iowa]

I figured they were giving me the run around.
Even their round ball mold I got cast under sized though.
The Lyman, RCBS and NOE molds I use cast a little over stated size which is perfect to size down.

You are lucky on the Lyman moulds. My experience has not been the best.

I use an RCBS 45-230-CM cowboy mould. It drops .4535, 242 grains using a 1.5 tin, 1.5 antimony, 97 lead "alloy."

The other RCBS moulds that I have used also drop about .0015-.002" above nominal size with the same alloy.

I am pleased with RCBS and NOE casting products.

[oldblinddog]

This is not correct! ANTIMONY will increase the as cast diameter.

Yes, that's right. I mis-remembered it. Has been a long time (and the CRS has taken over...). Pure will cast the smallest, so add some linotype.

See here: http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...ter-variations

[leadman]

I recently purchased a couple of RCBS molds and they cast very close to stated diameter, like all the rest of them I have. This is the only company I have bought from that the all the purchased molds dropped to the correct size.
I have bought Saeco, Accurate, NOE, Lyman, Lee, and Ideal. Most are close, some too large by more than .003", some too small.

[45r]

I got a mold from accurate molds for my 45 and it's impressive.
Would but one from him again if I need another mold.

[Shooternz]

Yes, I really want http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/product...f9l5mp8i81is11
Or http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/product...f9l5mp8i81is11

But they are out of stock and I have no mold for my .45 Colt

If you go to the wish list on the NOE site you can order what you want, you may have to wait a week for it to be made but it's better than any thing from Lee.

[hylander]

If you go to the wish list on the NOE site you can order what you want, you may have to wait a week for it to be made but it's better than any thing from Lee.

I talked to them, they said hopefully about the middle of April.

On another note:
I must not be to bright, as I said I was done with LEE but I just ordered a .495 round ball mold
My thought on this one is, I can use either .490 or .495, So if the .495 drop's a bit small, no big deal.