I am thinking of purchasing a 44mag mold for my mod29 smith, I am looking at getting either the double mold or the six cavity,and am not sure which would be the better choice, Also what size kit do I get for the bullet sizer. Do I have to measure my bore to determine that, and how do you take the measurement (calipers)?
Lee Precision lube and sizing kit
- Thread starter mac100
- Start date
You're prolly okay with a .430" sizer, the Lee setup sizes only and you must tumble lube the bullets in a separate step which can be messy and requires drying time(overnight). You may want to consider better quality molds and a lube/sizer for a quicker more efficient work. If you broaden your search for molds, you can get yourself a set of LBT molds, which are known for heavy duty bullet design and are used in Corbon and Buffalo Bore ammo. I guess it depends on your budget but i wouldn't scrimp on molds or bullet design.
I have Lee products, and a Lyman mold for 12g slugs that I like. I kike the idea that the lee molds are aluminum and cheap and the sizing kit comes with a bottle of liquid alox. I just noticed that the sizing kits have all these different sizes and wondered how you determined which one to get.
Some folks may want a different point of view as to bullet design esp. for hunting applications and the LBT designs(for example) are top notch and a good example of equipment that is well made and well thought out. Likewise, some folks like to use quality products made from the proper materials such as mold materials and the newest designs. Alot of good folks spend alot of money on rifles and scopes, looking for top quality, so it doesn't seem right to me to scrimp on your bullets by using cheap, throw away molds made of soft aluminum and lubing bullets in mom's mixing bowl.
And how did the Buffalo hunter's of the 1800's almost wipe out the Great heard's?
He's just starting to learn this hobby, inexpensive is good right now.
I own rcbs and lyman mold's, but for the 4-5 LEE mold's I can buy for the price of ONE lyman/rcbs I know where my money's going.
P.S. It's a butter dish, not a mixing bowl.
He's just starting to learn this hobby, inexpensive is good right now.
I own rcbs and lyman mold's, but for the 4-5 LEE mold's I can buy for the price of ONE lyman/rcbs I know where my money's going.
P.S. It's a butter dish, not a mixing bowl.
Also check each chamber throat to make sure that they are not smaller than your barrel measurement. I have several model 29's and I have never seen one where the throat was smaller than the barrel but there is always a first time, they usually measure .430-.431
Ruger on the other hand is more prone to a miss match and there are lots of articles out there on how to fix it.
Easiest way to check is once you have slugged the barrel, drop the slug in to each chamber and the slug should either come out the other end with mild resistance or fall right out. If the bullet stops in there and needs to be pushed back with force with a pencil or something then we have a problem. The chamber is smaller than the bore and leading and inaccuracy are it's lot in life if there is a big difference, until the chambers are opened up by a gunsmith.
Measure the slug with calipers/micrometer and usually 1 thou over is good.
As far as molds go I will echo Ben's remarks and go for a good quality mold design and bullet design.
The lee 2 cavity molds are crap, after about 100 pours the mold hinge bolt starts to loosen and it gets hard to align the crappy alignment ridges together. You find yourself forever cleaning out the lead residue from the ridges and you physically have to put the two halves back together with your gloved hand to align them for the next pour.
The Lee 6 cavities are totally different and will last a long time and are good quality.
Lots of mold makers out there with different designs and quality of molds, jump over to http://castboolits.gunloads.com/ and there are lots of specialty group buys going on and lots of info to correctly choose a design and mold maker.
I have over 30 different molds for the .44 Mag and basically I have narrowed the ones I use to 3 different ones with the Lyman 429421 that I had specially made to .432 diameter in a brass 6 cavity mold as my favorite and most accurate in all my .44's.
Ruger on the other hand is more prone to a miss match and there are lots of articles out there on how to fix it.
Easiest way to check is once you have slugged the barrel, drop the slug in to each chamber and the slug should either come out the other end with mild resistance or fall right out. If the bullet stops in there and needs to be pushed back with force with a pencil or something then we have a problem. The chamber is smaller than the bore and leading and inaccuracy are it's lot in life if there is a big difference, until the chambers are opened up by a gunsmith.
Measure the slug with calipers/micrometer and usually 1 thou over is good.
As far as molds go I will echo Ben's remarks and go for a good quality mold design and bullet design.
The lee 2 cavity molds are crap, after about 100 pours the mold hinge bolt starts to loosen and it gets hard to align the crappy alignment ridges together. You find yourself forever cleaning out the lead residue from the ridges and you physically have to put the two halves back together with your gloved hand to align them for the next pour.
The Lee 6 cavities are totally different and will last a long time and are good quality.
Lots of mold makers out there with different designs and quality of molds, jump over to http://castboolits.gunloads.com/ and there are lots of specialty group buys going on and lots of info to correctly choose a design and mold maker.
I have over 30 different molds for the .44 Mag and basically I have narrowed the ones I use to 3 different ones with the Lyman 429421 that I had specially made to .432 diameter in a brass 6 cavity mold as my favorite and most accurate in all my .44's.
Absolutely, the Cast Boolits website has alot of "group buys" for excellent quality molds and designs, alot of new mold makers have started up due to the demand on that site and the product is fabulous, this is one of the best things to happen for us bullet casters!! LBT is one of the designers/makers offering a group buy on that site, as well as NOE, BRP, MIHEC, Dastardly ####(Big Lube Bullets), all are top notch. Once you try some of these molds as well as the older makers, like Saeco, RCBS, etc....it will be hard to go back to Lee.
easyrider604
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Greater Vancouver, BC
The Lee 6-cavity molds are the best value in bullet molds. Probably mold 50,000 bullets before it wears out
if it does. You get six bullets per pop vs 2. Get the six and you'll save a lot of time. You'll have a pile of beautiful bullets in no time. Try the tumble lube mold as well. You can buy more expensive and durable molds, but how many bullets do you really need or want?
Tumble lubing is the best thing invented for bullet lube. No special equipment to buy. The lube is available in bulk 25 oz or 32 oz bottles for cheap too.
Use the Lee TL molds (for Tumble-Lube) with micro-grooves. No leading so far in my 686 shooting approx. 400 rounds, 158 grain SWCs, or my GP100 in more than 300 rounds.
I also tumble lube my .40 cal bullets with the single lube groove, just use more alox to get some into the groove. I see no leading in my NP58 barrel so far about 100 rounds.
Best accuracy can be obtained by slugging your barrel as mentioned above.
But for general plinking and regular target shooting, just get the .430 resizing kit. This size bullet will shoot in all standard .44 magnum or special guns. BTW, tumble lube your bullets with a light coat of alox, and dry, before resizing. Then tumble with the usual amount of alox after resizing.
if it does. You get six bullets per pop vs 2. Get the six and you'll save a lot of time. You'll have a pile of beautiful bullets in no time. Try the tumble lube mold as well. You can buy more expensive and durable molds, but how many bullets do you really need or want?Tumble lubing is the best thing invented for bullet lube. No special equipment to buy. The lube is available in bulk 25 oz or 32 oz bottles for cheap too.
Use the Lee TL molds (for Tumble-Lube) with micro-grooves. No leading so far in my 686 shooting approx. 400 rounds, 158 grain SWCs, or my GP100 in more than 300 rounds.
I also tumble lube my .40 cal bullets with the single lube groove, just use more alox to get some into the groove. I see no leading in my NP58 barrel so far about 100 rounds.
Best accuracy can be obtained by slugging your barrel as mentioned above.
But for general plinking and regular target shooting, just get the .430 resizing kit. This size bullet will shoot in all standard .44 magnum or special guns. BTW, tumble lube your bullets with a light coat of alox, and dry, before resizing. Then tumble with the usual amount of alox after resizing.
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vagrantviking
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- High River, Alberta
If you aren't a fan of the goop lube that comes in the Lee kit you can always dip or pan lube you bullets with other brands or stuff you mix up yourself. The Lee push-through sizer works well or you might even be able to get by with shooting them as cast. Without checking .420 is probably your best bet. Its not hard to slug the bore or throat though and prevents possible disappointment.
For pistol bullets I can't say how much I enjoy using the Lee 6 cavities. Sure its not a premium mold that will give you the quality bullet you might want for a 1000yard cartridge gun but they put out pistol quality bullets by the bucket full and at a cost where you can buy 3 or 4 different designs for the price of one steel mold.
Best of luck!
For pistol bullets I can't say how much I enjoy using the Lee 6 cavities. Sure its not a premium mold that will give you the quality bullet you might want for a 1000yard cartridge gun but they put out pistol quality bullets by the bucket full and at a cost where you can buy 3 or 4 different designs for the price of one steel mold.
Best of luck!
The only reason that I would suggest a 2 cavity would be to try a mould design if you are not sure which one, and which weight, you might like. If you are sure, go with the 6. I have a lot of Lee moulds and I am quite satisfied with the products that I make with them. I have not yet worn one out.
blacksmithden
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
There's nothing wrong with Lee molds. I've got about 9 of them now, and a few Lymans as well. Their sizing kits work just fine as well. I've got a Lee 6 hold mould for my 44 mag and it works perfectly........as does my .430 sizing die and liquid alox bullet lube. The only thing is, it IS messy. When you do up a batch, do up lots and lay them out to dry for a day or two. You can use paint thinner to thin the lube. I use 50% thinner and 50% lube.
I have several Lee 6 bullet moulds, and they work fine. I usually don't bother sizing most pistol bullets, especially the Lee Tumble Lube type. The revolvers I have seem to eat them up okay. 9mm is a bit fussier. I am not sure what is slow about pouring 6 bullets at a time and tumble lubing a whole bunch at a time. I use a plastic ice cream container. Momma won't let me use her butter dish.
Some years back, Dean Grennell wrote an article about tumble lube bullets and sizing. Of course, what would he know about casting bullets.....
Some years back, Dean Grennell wrote an article about tumble lube bullets and sizing. Of course, what would he know about casting bullets.....
Another vote for LEE. I have a few of their molds and sizer kits. You can shoot a lot of the bullets as cast depending on your bore size. Lee Alox tumble lubed or pan lubing with melted bullet lube will save a lot of money over the lube sizers. Later on if you want to get more advanced with it you can buy one. Same with the higher end molds and melters, when your ready to become Quigley you may see more benefits, but if you are just shootin for fun like most of us then the Lee stuff will serve you well and then some.
