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Thread: How Many Moulds Is Enough?

  1. #1
    Boolit Master
    Daekar's Avatar
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    How Many Moulds Is Enough?

    I usually strive for a relatively minimalist approach to guns these days, and have drastically downsized my collection in the last year, but darn if I am having a hard time keeping it going with bullet moulds.

    Right now I just have a Lee 358-158RF, but I have been agonizing for weeks over what else to get next. 180gr? 200? 215? 230? 250? There seem compelling reasons for each, and I don't see it ending after one purchase...

    How many moulds do you have, and how many is "enough" for you?
    I'm a big fan of data-driven decisions. You want to make me smile, show me a spreadsheet! Extra points for graphs and best-fit predictive equations.

  2. #2
    Boolit Buddy
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    I've been slow getting started with casting. I currently have twenty-one and have two or three left on the list to buy.

    Enough is having a minimum of one for each caliber and or application.
    Last edited by Cargo; 03-03-2021 at 11:53 PM.
    Cargo

  3. #3
    Boolit Grand Master OS OK's Avatar
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    I had the same idea, just get what I need for what I have. Then the experimenting started with profiles I was curious about, tried to locate used single cavity moulds at first but one leads to another and I still tried to keep it simple.

    Now I have prolly 30 moulds and have not lusted for any more. The steels are my favorites.
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  4. #4
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    No real answer from me as I may have overbought in .38 moulds to feed my .38 and .357 (7 or so so far).

    To stay minimalist a nice 148g wadcutter and a 170g semi-wadcutter will round out the stable to cover every need with your existing round nose. If your looking to go high end a gas check design may add a new dimension.

    The fun answer is every mould you can get your hands on....

  5. #5
    Boolit Master nvbirdman's Avatar
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    I seem to have at least two for each caliber and I reload for many calibers.

  6. #6
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    All of them.
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  7. #7
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    I've had several come and go.

    I've ended up keeping two for each caliber I shoot.
    A basic target/WC mold and a second one for more 'robust'/longer range loads.

    And two others, my favorites for .45ACP & .45-70.
    All the rest have been put back in circulation.
    Last edited by Winger Ed.; 03-04-2021 at 12:31 AM.
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  8. #8
    Boolit Grand Master
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    Just one more. Or maybe two.

    Well, you can see where this is going.

    Robert

  9. #9
    Boolit Buddy
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    Quote Originally Posted by Walks View Post
    All of them.
    And when you still don't have one that is just what you are thinking of you start getting custom designs made up....

  10. #10
    Boolit Master
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    I've been buying several for each caliber, casting and loading tests, and then selling the ones I don't want to keep. Plus a couple classics I just won't sell, like the old Keith molds for .357, .44, and .45.

    For calibers I've already tested, I have 1-3 different profiles that work and I might want to load.

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  11. #11
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    I have many different calibers that I load for and love to experiment with different boolits. That being said, I have over one hundred molds, and soon I will have enough.
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  12. #12
    Boolit Master 44Blam's Avatar
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    I recently went through my molds.

    I put them in a sealed plastic box with three layer of cardboard. First layer was molds that I could part with. Second layer was molds I don't use often but I want. And at the top are molds I use a lot.

    I also wrote everything down on paper what I have. The other thing that went into the box was a damprid cartridge.

    BTW, turns out that I have 21 molds and my most used mold is an Accurate mold that has 2 cavities 43-240A and 2 cavities 43-240AG...
    WWG1WGA

  13. #13
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    I'm reconning a light, a medium, and a heavyweight boolit for each caliber you shoot + WC for wheel guns and FN for tube-fed.

    overtime molds just seem to multiply without conscious buying ie buy a casting pot --- get some molds, buy reloading gear -- get some molds, buy 1 mold you want --- comes with more molds. trade with someone getting out of casting --- get many molds you don't have guns for.

    You can't really accurately determine the number of molds needed until you finish load development/experimenting with ALL your guns

  14. #14
    Boolit Master trapper9260's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Conditor22 View Post
    I'm reconning a light, a medium, and a heavyweight boolit for each caliber you shoot + WC for wheel guns and FN for tube-fed.

    overtime molds just seem to multiply without conscious buying ie buy a casting pot --- get some molds, buy reloading gear -- get some molds, buy 1 mold you want --- comes with more molds. trade with someone getting out of casting --- get many molds you don't have guns for.

    You can't really accurately determine the number of molds needed until you finish load development/experimenting with ALL your guns
    You right on that . There is some molds you get for one cal. and then before you know it you find use for another. Like the 32 cal molds you end up use some for the 30 cal. for a lite load or molds for 38spl/ 357mag you end up use them for your 9mm. There is no number of molds you should have or not have. I load for different cartridges .
    Life Member of NRA,NTA,DAV ,ITA. Also member of FTA,CBA

  15. #15
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    I haven’t counted, but I must have over twenty, no make that thirty. At least one for each caliber I shoot and some for my friends’ calibers. I buy molds for my friends’ calibers, because I enjoy casting and have a good supply of lead. I give my friends boolits and they give me brass.

  16. #16
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    Like firearms.......I’m one mould short of having enough!

  17. #17
    Boolit Master
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    I have 5 in .458, 3 in .452, 5 in .357, 1 in .44, 2 in.375 , 7 in .308, 1 for 32/20 1 for 25/20 and 1 in .225 and I still find a need for others at times. I enjoy casting but my health will slow me down soon. It is not about the number you have, but the journey getting there. Regards Stephen

  18. #18
    Boolit Master Garyshome's Avatar
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    Almost enough to cover all the calibers that i use

  19. #19
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    i have no idea, but I think I'm getting close to the 4 digit mark.
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  20. #20
    Boolit Grand Master Bazoo's Avatar
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    I've got 4 for 44 special/mag, 4 for 30 caliber, and I need another for each bore diameter. For my favorite guns and or cartridges I like to have a few choices. I'm content with only one for guns that are just tools, or aren't my favorite.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check