Just one more
I have pondered this for 48 hours. Cargo hit it just about right in the #2 post. I postulate that you need at least one mould in each bullet shape you want. I have some "duplicates," meaning one PB and one GC in the same boolit. I have some mixed bag cavities, GC and PB in the same mould. Useful, but not the most handy except the 5 banger with 3 and 2, respectively.
I like to load to levels my kids can comfortably shoot so they fall in love with heavies in mid-bores, like the NOE 310 in a Whelen. My 11 year old is on his way to a love affair with the Whelen, and earlier than I started shooting centerfires, let alone mid-bores! That luxury comes because of my mould collection. If this were about efficiency or minimalism, I'd have a couple rifles and a handgun and a mould for each, or one mould and guns all in the same caliber. Thankfully, that's not the case.
Let's go Brandon!
I haven't counted lately but I'd guess around 150.
NRA Benefactor.
When I joined this board, I had about 8 moulds, but now, thanks to the enablers here, a whole lot more!!!
Not very many. But, for the most part, I know what bullet type I want for each caliber I shoot.
9mm, 105SWC and 147TC
.357, 140SWC
.45acp, 200SWC
.50 muzzle loader, 450gn SWC
It is my .308 that has several because of different purposes. 165gn PB, 170gn GC, 210gn GC.
I do not see me buying any more. Actually may end up selling a couple.
PS I also do not have many guns anymore. Downsized a while ago to the ones I shoot/carry a lot.
I need at least one workable projectile for every rod I own. Some have multiples, like 45 rifle, or pistol, 38 rifle, 30 cal rifle etc, you get the idea. I still have a couple holes in the line up, with no or only one workable but not first choice mold. I have a few hundred. Hope that helps. ha ha
"Enough" is when you have molds for a specific caliber that work well in your firearm and that you regularly cast in . . . . .
"Too many is when you have a "collection" of molds to use for a specific caliber but which you only used the molds that you regularly shoot and the rest sit on the shelf - sometimes for years - and never get used . . . .
I've been casting for over 55 years . . don't ask how I know the difference . . .
I am in the same boat with Jon and Charlie. Started downsizing years ago and still shedding stuff I do not need or want anymore. I am still in the buying mode on molds due to the acquisition of a Master Caster, but that means my other molds will likely be sold.
With what is going on with component supply and pricing, I will be shooting less CF so I have started to factory that in as well. When I reach for a few boxes of pistol ammunition for a range session, I do not want to wonder, "What gun is this for?".
Current plan is Magma molds:
122 gr TC 9mm...with one load for all the 9's
130 gr RNFP .38....bought for CAS but may sell it
158 gr SWC .38/.357....nickel cases for light loads and brass cases for heavy loads
180 gr FP .40...one load for all the .40's
I have a MiHec .223 NATO mold and for the .30 calibers three molds.
For the shotguns, Lyman slug mold and Lee buckshot mold.
I might try casting for the .22 PCP gun if I want to punish and humble myself...LOL
Last edited by dverna; 03-06-2021 at 01:47 PM.
Don Verna
Mr. Potterfield at Midway USA has the answer to your question......
314th Air Divsion
20th Tactical Air Support Squadron
RVN 67-68 & 68-69
Personal and Up "Close Air Support"
How many molds is enough? I just bought one for a caliber I don't have, yet!
Well, I was given 250+pieces of brass for a cartridge that I don't have.
So you all know what that means.......
last count, less than 100. About 50 for rifle, 30 for handguns, and three for shotguns.
I just bought another Shiloh Sharps Montana Rough Rider in, ready for this: 30-40 Krag. The good news; I have 9 or 10 .30 caliber molds, so there is a whole summer's worth of experimenting ahead of me.
thanks for asking,
Rich
I only cast for four calibers. .44, .38, 9mm and .30. I have three .44 molds, three .38 molds, two 9mm molds and three .30 molds. I have a mold in each caliber that I do not use much but I keep them around because they might work well in a new gun. I may add a heavier boolit .44 mold for my new Henry single shot. I really do need to try some hp molds though.
There is only one answer. 1 mold to fill each purpose for a firearm.
“Enough” is one for every boolit you want to cast. Anything more is excess that can lead to purchasing additional firearms.
Sometimes life taps you on the shoulder and reminds you it's a one way street. Jim Morris
I know its time to slow down when you start accidentally buying duplicates because you forget what you own.
when you have to build a new building to hold all your stuff, you might be real close to having enough.
A lightweight 'plinking' mold, a flat point hunting mold and a 'pointy' long range mold is necessary for each caliber. In some cases, another one or two mold might be needed in some calibers to properly fit a throat for accuracy or accommodate certain calibers like a .316 for the P14 .303 British or whatever. A high volume mold for the 9mm, 40, and 45 is good. When I buy a firearm, if it is a new caliber, a mold is added, even for calibers where lead bullets normally are not considered like the .243 and 6.5 Creedmoor. Properly kept molds won't spoil and take little room.
Oh yeah, I did put a new building for my stuff.
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 |