bullet mold manufacturers

grumpyvette

Administrator
Staff member
http://www.leeprecision.com/html/catalog/bullmol1.html (dirt cheap but fair/good quality)

http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/bullet-casting/ (decent quality iron molds . moderately priced)


http://www.castbulletengineering.com.au/mould-photos

http://www.huntingtons.com/bulletmoulds.html (decent quality iron molds . moderately priced slow to deliver and not everything advertised is available)

http://www.castpics.net/subsite2/MoldMo ... tation.pdf

http://www.lasc.us/CastBulletNotes.htm

https://www.sagesoutdoors.com/gas-checks/


If you start casting bullets regularly youll find , as your speed picks up, that you must wait for the SPRUE, or over-fill lead on the molds cut-off plate to change appearance as it cools before you open the mold to allow the bullet to drop out or the bullets deform as they are still semi hard ,the lead alloy doesn,t fully get solid for a few seconds after the mold releases them, in fact that they normally come out of the mold rather soft and easily deformed for the first few seconds,if you cast bullets as rapidly as possible, dropping them on a soft cotton towel reduces the deformed culls , that get damaged while dropping, that might hit previous cast bullets but theres an option that works better. dropping hot cast bullets in water quench both cools and reduces the impact velocity as they reach the bottom of a bucket youll use but Ive found the less common and taller 7 gallon buckets with both a taller column of water and greater mass seems to work better than the more typical 5 gallon bucket.
a typical 5 gallon bucket holds about 4 gallons of liquid and the bullets fall thru about 18" of water , the taller 7 gallon bucket adds at least 6"-8" more cooling distance and on larger 300-500 plus grain bullets this seems to help reduce culls)scrap quality bullets cast) and allows you to cast a bit faster.
water quench also tends to make some alloys with tin and antimony harden and work better.

sprue.jpg

sprue1.jpg

sprue2.jpg

sprue3.jpg



http://www.lasc.us/CastBulletNotes.htm

7gal3.jpg

the 5 gallon buckets not as effective in my experience as the taller 7 gallon buckets
I would strongly suggest selecting a 6"-10" barrel pistol or revolver for any serious hunting application to maximize velocity and to provide a good sight radias.
keep in mind only precisely placed hits and a good knowledge, of the games anatomy, will work well, and hard cast bullets of close too ideal weight range , and ideally pushed to about 1350 fps-1700 fps work the best as velocity's much higher tend to reduce penetration, by inducing too rapid expansion.
suggested bullet weights

357 mag= 158 grain-180 grain
41 mag= 220 grain-250 grain
44 mag= 270 grain-320 grain
45 caliber -300 grain-350 grain
480 caliber 350 grain-400 grain
50 caliber 400 grain-480 grain

ideally pistol velocity and the bullet design of the better hunting ,
cast bullets are most effective if the melplat (nose) is flat and the nose diam. is between 75%-85% of the bullet diameter,
accuracy is usually better if its a gas check design and its pushed to a muzzle velocity of at least 1350 fps, but not too exceed about 1700 fps and have a bullet in the .240-.260 sectional density range.
jacketed hollow points should be used only on lighter weight game like deer.
remember the proper hard cast bullet will penetrate very effectively but it won,t expand rapidly, thus a knowledge of the games anatomy and locations of the vital organs is critical to rapid kills.
don,t be surprised if the first few large game animals you shoot run off with little indication they were hit, unless you place shots precisely handgun kills will resemble archery hunting and it will take 30 seconds for the game to bleed out, and in 30 seconds a scared injured deer can travel 200 yards making its recovery difficult.
but place shots precisely and if you used the correct projectile, distances will be much less.
LEAD ALLOY SHOULD BE 95% WHEEL WEIGHTS AND 5% PURE TIN by VOLUME, OR SIMILAR MODERATELY HARD BLEND



http://www.ballistics101.com/357_magnum.php
(while certainly not a power house choice, Or something Id recommend),
in the hands of a skilled hunter I has taken about everything in north America at one time or another)
http://handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=357 Magnum&Weight=All&type=Handgun&Order=Powder&Source=

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/4...8-diameter-158-grain-semi-wadcutter-gas-check


http://www.ballistics101.com/10mm.php
(not bad for a compact auto pistol used for hunting and with proper hand loads certainly useful)
http://handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=10 mm&Weight=All&type=Handgun&Order=Powder&Source=

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...-diameter-200-grain-truncated-cone-bevel-base
(I,VE USED THIS ON HOGS WITH GOOD RESULTS)



http://www.ballistics101.com/41_magnum.php
(great choice if recoil bothers you, provided you hand load )
http://handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=41 Magnum&Weight=All&type=Handgun&Order=Powder&Source=

http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=41-240FR-D.png
(well documented too work well)


http://www.ballistics101.com/44_magnum.php
(without doubt the least expensive and most effective choice for most people)
http://handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=44 Magnum&Weight=All&type=Handgun&Order=Powder&Source=

https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/0000690858/double-cavity-mold-c430-310-rf
(GREAT DESIGN)


http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=43-300B-D.png
(GREAT DESIGN)

https://www.midsouthshooterssupply....llet-mould-number-429650-44-caliber-300-grain

(POPULAR DESIGN)



http://www.ballistics101.com/454_casull.php
(great choice if recoil does not bother you, provided you hand load )
http://handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=454 Casull&Weight=All&type=Handgun&Order=Powder&Source=

http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=45-335C-D.png
(GREAT DESIGN)

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...2-diameter-300-grain-semi-wadcutter-gas-check


http://www.ballistics101.com/460_sw.php
(great choice if recoil does not bother you, provided you hand load )
http://handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=460 SqqqW Magnum&Weight=All&type=Handgun&Order=Powder&Source=

http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=45-335C-D.png
(GREAT DESIGN)


http://www.ballistics101.com/480_ruger.php
(great choice if recoil does not bother you, provided you hand load )
http://handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=480 Ruger&Weight=All&type=Handgun&Order=Powder&Source=

https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/0000690241/double-cavity-mold-476-400-rf-(480-ruger)


http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=48-380V-D.png
(GREAT DESIGN)



http://www.ballistics101.com/500_sw.php
(great choice if recoil does not bother you, provided you hand load )
http://handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=500 SqqqW Magnum&Weight=All&type=Handgun&Order=Powder&Source=

https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/0000690991/double-cavity-mold-c501-440-rf


http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=50-450AG-D.png
(GREAT DESIGN)
 
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how many guys are into reloading cast bullets?
does anyone still have a reasonably priced source for LINOTYPE, in 50 lb or larger batches
 
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Lyman Top Punches
Details
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/here-we-go-again.16003/

Top Punch # Mold # (s) Nominal Diameter Nominal Weight Bullet Type

#8 311041 .309" 173grs FNGC
311008 .312" 115grs FN
319247 .322" 165grs FN

#43 401043 .401" 175grs FN
403169 .408" 240grs FN
427098 .428" 205grs FN
401654 .401" 150grs SWCBB
401638 .401" 175grs TCBB
410610 .410" 215grs SWCGC

#93 ?????

#132 457132 .459" 535grs Semi-pointed

#141 515141 .512" 425grs FN

#190 454190 .454" 250grs FN

#191 457191 .459" 292grs FNBB
457122 .459" 330grs FNHP
457643 .459" 400grs FN
457193 .459" 405grs FN

#203 245496 .244" 84grs RNGC

#226 313249 .314" 85grs RN

#251 439186 .439" 370grs RN
446110 .446" 340grs RNFP
429383 .430" 245grs RN

#284 311284 .309" 210grs RNGC

#303 ?????

#311 356242 .356" 90grs RN
356242* .356" 120grs RN
358311 .358" 160grs RN

#346 287346 .285" 135grs RNGC

#348 ?????

#359 311359 .312" 115grs PTGC

#360 ?????

#374 457124 .459" 385grs RN
457671 .459" 475grs RNGC
457125 .459" 500grs RN
452374 .452" 225grs RN
452374 .452" 180grs DEV HP

#402 356402 .356" 120grs TC

#413 311332 .309" 180grs PTGC

#415 225415 .225" 55grs FNGC

#420 25742 .258" 65grs FNGC

#421 429215 .430" 210grs SWCGC
429421 .430" 245grs SWC
429244 .430" 255grs SWCGC
429650 .430" 300rs SWCGC

#424 452424 .452" 255grs SWC
452490 .452" 255grs SWCGC

#429 358477 .358" 150grs SWC
358156 .358" 155grs SWCGC
358429 .358" 170grs SWC

#430 358430 .358" 195grs RN

#438 225438 .225" 44grs RNGC

#449 375248 .379" 249grs FN
375449 .379" 264grs FNGC
410655 .410" 400grs FN

#460 452460 .452" 200grs SWC
452630 .452" 200grs FNBB

#463 266469 .264" 140grs RNGC

#465 311291 .309" 170grs RNGC
311252 .311" 75grs RN

#467 311410 .312" 130grs Pointed tip
311299 .309" 200grs RNGC
314299 .314" 200grs RNGC

#470 323470 .325" 165grs RNGC

#495 358665 .358" 158grs RNFP

#637 356637 .356" 147grs FNBB
356637 .356" 124grs Dev HPBB

#641 266673 .264" 150grs Semi-pointed GC SIL
280642 .278" 150grs FNGC
287641 .285" 160grs SIL

#644 311672 .309" 160grs FTGC SIL
311644 .309" 190grs Semi-pointed GC SIL

#646 225646 .225" 55grs Semi-pointed GC

#649 429667 .430" 240grs RNFPBB
429640 .430" 250grs DEV HPGC
452664 .452" 250grs RNFP
452651 .452" 325grs FNGC
501680 .501" 360grs SWC

#658 410660 .410" 385grs Semi-pointed
457658 .459" 480grs Semi-pointed

#663 378674 .379" 335grs RN
410663 .410" 40grs RN

#677 457677 .459" 490grs Pointed-tip

#678 ?????
RN=Round Nose FP=Flat Point FN = Flat Nose
SWC=Semi-Wadcutter BB=Bevel Base GC=Gascheck
HP=Hollow point Dev=Devastator SIL=Silhouette
 
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Lyman designs
Historical: http://www.three-peaks.net/bullet_molds.htm
Current catalog molds

RCBS designs
Current Catalog Molds

Lee designs
Current Catalog Molds: Rifle
Current Catalog Molds: Handgun
Current Catalog Molds: Blackpowder

NEI designs
Mould Design Chart at Castpics

Saeco designs
standard(.22-.41 caliber): http://www.redding-reloading.com/ima...letmoulds3.jpg
standard(.41-.45 caliber): http://www.redding-reloading.com/ima...letmoulds2.jpg
traditional: http://www.redding-reloading.com/ima...letmoulds1.jpg

Ballisti-cast designs
<old site defunct, don't have current link>

Magma Engineering designs
http://www.magmaengineering.com/magm...-bullet-molds/

Hensley & Gibbs designs
http://www.hensleygibbs.com/

Cast Bullet Engineering (CBE) designs
http://www.castbulletengineering.com.au

LBT designs
<site defunct, no current link>

Paul Jones designs
<site defunct, no current link>

Boomers Moulds (BPCR, Canada)
<site defunct, no current link>

Ranch Dog designs
<site defunct, no current link>

KAL Tool & Die designs (BPCR, Canada)
http://kal.castpics.net/Molds.html

BRP Products designs [Shop is closed, link no longer available]

NOE designs

https://noebulletmolds.com/site/using-our-products/faqs

Dick Dastardly Big Lube designs
http://www.biglube.com/

MP Mould (Mihec) designs
https://www.mp-molds.com/product-category/molds/

Accurate Moulds designs
http://www.accuratemolds.com/catalog.php?page=all

Arsenal Moulds
https://arsenalmolds.com/products

Buffalo Arms Moulds
https://www.buffaloarms.com/bullet-m...-bullet-moulds
 
has anyone every taken the time and effort to comparatively test
similar weight, bore diameter , point and base, bullet mold ,cast bullet designs,
to find the most stabile, consistently accurate and most consistently duplicated alloy used in projectile designs?
I shoot a great deal of cast bullets, in hand guns and rifles
what do you look for if for example you wanted the most accurate 400-405 grain 45/70 cast bullet?
or the most accurate 168-170 grain 357 mag bullet?
FROM EXPERIENCE YOULL KNOW EVERY BULLET TENDS TO REQUIRE A DIFFERENT SIGHT SETTING AS THEY ALL CAUSE, AT LEAST MARGINALLY DIFFERENT BARREL HARMONICS
As an example
if one 458 diam, bullet mold you use in your .458 bore diameter single shot browning 78 or ruger #1 ,
and that particular molds bullet shoots a 3" 10 shot ,bench rested 200 yard group occasionally,
and the next mold design shoots a 3.3" group, is it the rifle, are you sure its the bullet ,
or some difference in the load, rifle or the shooter?
example,
here's a few similar bullet mold designs
obviously in a handgun you use the pistol at such short ranges and under such un-precise conditions
that you would generally attribute any change in group size and consistency,
more to your skills, or lack of skill , using the gun, or manufacturer tolerance's or powder charge variations
and even if you used a mechanical pistol rest at lets say 50 yards,
I doubt you could definitively state one bullet design, or the other of the three, posted below, would consistently produce
a group that was smaller than the other two , and if you changed guns would it (those results) still be true?
from my testing I've found the gas check designs do typically provide more consistently accurate results,
the number of grease groves, the the projectile length to bore diameter ratio and casting alloy used, do change results,
yet most people don't shoot consistently enough for the difference in bullet choice to mater in results they see?
I doubt many people shoot consistently enough at extended ranges to even notice


36-168B.png

36-168SG.png

36-168J.png
 
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some 500 mag cast bullet designs that look promising


low recoil target or personal defensive use

50-300WG.png

50-371KG.png


looks like a good general works well at near any use bullet design
50-403F.png


looks like a good hunting bullet design
50-440BG.png


I can't see bullets heavier than this providing any real benefit in hunting with a handgun
50-495B.png
 

I've used this LEE nominally 440 grain design on several hogs and a few deer, it performs very consistently and its accurate!



http://gaschecks.castpics.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=20
http://www.lasc.us/CheckShankSize.htm

you might want a gas check design, cast bullet, for bigger game than deer, in that 500 S&W pistol to maximize accuracy, where you might want to push velocitys over 1200 fps
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2...um-501-diameter-440-grain-flat-nose-gas-check

gaschecknm1.png


gascheckmn2.png


gascheckmn3.png


this lee C501-440-RF cast bullet weights close to 479 grains with gas check and lube over 22 grains of blue dot powder and a mag primer shoots through deer and hogs easily

your almost forced to cast and reload for the 500 S&W revolver as ammos absurdly expensive at near $3 or more, a cartridge in factory loads, but you can load your cast reloads for under 60 cents each, saving 80% and giving up zero in lethality
a lighter 400 grain non-gas check design pushed to 1200 fps or less will kill any deer in existence and should be accurate to 50 yards or so very easily,
my 44 mag used 310 grain lee bullets and shoots clean through even elk, pushed at only about 1200 fps


 
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