Hi all, read here some, haven't posted much. A wealth of information and experience here. I'd call myself an "advanced beginner" in casting, have been casting .38/.357 and .44 Special/Mag bullets for many years, pretty comfortable with my results on that. Also cast for my .40-65 Sharps replica rifle.
After many years of not owning or shooting .45 ACP, I have recently acquired two .45s, both Ruger 1911s, an all-steel and an alloy frame Commander-length guns. Obviously, I need a bullet mold for these, and would like some recommendations on one good all-around bullet/mold.
My intended use is casual shooting, maybe some field carry (especially the LW gun). I'd like at least a 4-cavity mold in a SWC or TC design rather than a roundnose. Not a competition shooter, and my volume of loading/shooting for the .45s is probably a few hundred rounds a year. Still, I can't stand to have to buy bullets when I know I could cast equally good or superior bullets myself. You know how we are about that...
I've looked at the Lyman 200 gr. SWC, and at the Lee molds, both 200 in SWC or TC and their 230 grain TC. They have these in their 6-cavity version. Any thoughts on the Lee tumble-lube design bullets vs. traditional luber/sizer design?
I really only want to buy one mold right now (though I know how that goes - my .357 and .44 mold collection has grown over the years). Would love to hear your thoughts and experiences on .45 bullets and molds. Thanks much,
Ken