jcs266
40 Cal
Hello all,
I’m looking for a .520” round ball mold, either a Lyman or an RCBS.
Thank you!
I’m looking for a .520” round ball mold, either a Lyman or an RCBS.
Thank you!
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WANTED .520” RB mold (Lyman or RCBS)
- Thread starter jcs266
- Start date
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jcs266
40 Cal
Thanks bang, I looked but no joy on that size.
jcs266
40 Cal
Bump...
Come on fellas, don’t be holding out on me! You aren’t using that .520” mold anymore...
Come on fellas, don’t be holding out on me! You aren’t using that .520” mold anymore...
Not exactly a common size.
jcs266
40 Cal
I know darn it, but there are some out there... 
Yes, I Use to have one.
I was curious, and investigated a little. It appears Lee Precision makes a six-cavity "gang mould" for .520" round balls, evidently marketed exclusively for Track of the Wolf. These are listed in Lee's current catalog, although, predictably, they are currently out of stock. I could not confirm that Lyman, RCBS, or Saeco produced moulds in .520". I don't doubt that they did, but I just couldn't confirm it.
I know the OP wants to do his own casting, but until a mould turns up, Hornady does make swaged round balls in .520". I found a few of those for sale. I think the current shortages apply more to the common sizes of balls than to the "outliers," like .520" or .480".
It is a shame and a pity that the mould manufacturers have discontinued so many sizes. They all compete with each other by making the same limited range of ball diameters now. If they would be willing to listen to customers and break out of their ruts, I think it would be financially rewarding for them. There was a lengthy thread on this forum a few months ago about .526" balls. I could use a mould in that size for my .54 caliber rifle. Lyman used to make a .526" mould, and I just discovered that twenty or so years ago, Lee was producing a .527" round ball mould. Chances are, Lyman and Lee both have those cherries kicking around the factory somewhere. When the current demand slows up, I think they would do well to reintroduce some limited runs of moulds for "obsolete" round ball sizes.
Just one old dude's opinion. If nothing else, it ought to bump this thread back to the top for a bit. Good luck finding that mould!
Notchy Bob
I know the OP wants to do his own casting, but until a mould turns up, Hornady does make swaged round balls in .520". I found a few of those for sale. I think the current shortages apply more to the common sizes of balls than to the "outliers," like .520" or .480".
It is a shame and a pity that the mould manufacturers have discontinued so many sizes. They all compete with each other by making the same limited range of ball diameters now. If they would be willing to listen to customers and break out of their ruts, I think it would be financially rewarding for them. There was a lengthy thread on this forum a few months ago about .526" balls. I could use a mould in that size for my .54 caliber rifle. Lyman used to make a .526" mould, and I just discovered that twenty or so years ago, Lee was producing a .527" round ball mould. Chances are, Lyman and Lee both have those cherries kicking around the factory somewhere. When the current demand slows up, I think they would do well to reintroduce some limited runs of moulds for "obsolete" round ball sizes.
Just one old dude's opinion. If nothing else, it ought to bump this thread back to the top for a bit. Good luck finding that mould!
Notchy Bob
Last edited:
jcs266
40 Cal
Thank you Bob, I appreciate you investigating into it. I think RCBS made one in the past. Nobody i’ve checked has any. I’m watching the auction site of course, hoping to spot one there.
I did just order one box of the swaged .520’s by Hornady that I found online. I also have my local dealer in town who will try to get me some.
.526” could be a good compromise, I’d like to see those offered on the shelves too. I’d buy a .526” mold if i found one.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed!
I did just order one box of the swaged .520’s by Hornady that I found online. I also have my local dealer in town who will try to get me some.
.526” could be a good compromise, I’d like to see those offered on the shelves too. I’d buy a .526” mold if i found one.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed!
jcs266
40 Cal
Still looking for that .520” mold... 
Canute Rex
40 Cal.
- Joined
- Apr 19, 2012
- Messages
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A note on the Lee five cavity .520 mold: You should do a test molding session, segregating the cast balls from each cavity. Then weigh them. There can be significant variation in the weights of the cast balls. You may get a mold with consistent weights; you may not. You may get a mold where all the cavities cast the same, or four, three two, or all different. You'll have to find out.
If you just haul off and cast quantities and use them all you'll find your shots stringing vertically.
If you just haul off and cast quantities and use them all you'll find your shots stringing vertically.
jcs266
40 Cal
A great point, thanks for the info. It makes sense that there will be variations.
I’m hoping to find a Lyman / Ideal single cavity mold.
I’m hoping to find a Lyman / Ideal single cavity mold.
YJake
40 Cal
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2019
- Messages
- 123
- Reaction score
- 166
Still looking for that .520” mold...
I was having the same problem sourcing anything smaller than a .530 (which I have a mould for). I ordered from (BallMoulds) and got one in .527 to try in my .54 and a .69 for my Brown Bess. I had the moulds within two weeks of ordering I believe.
I haven’t had a chance to use the moulds yet but they fit in my Lee handles perfectly. They’re all single cavity and you have to cut the sprue with wire snips. I hope this helps.
-Jake
jcs266
40 Cal
Hey Jake,
I just saw your post, thanks for the info.
I'm still looking but a custom mold may have to be the route eventually.
I just saw your post, thanks for the info.
I'm still looking but a custom mold may have to be the route eventually.
jcs266
40 Cal
I'm still here... Still hoping!?!?
Help me out guys!
Help me out guys!
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2019
- Messages
- 45
- Reaction score
- 25
Check with the Log Cabin Shop they sometimes have used molds
jcs266
40 Cal
Thanks I checked... No joy
There’s one on EBay right now for $60 plus $11 shipping. FYI
jcs266
40 Cal
Got it!!!
WOW thanks for the tip. I don't know how I missed that!?!? I did a search maybe two hours ago and didn't see it.
I sure appreciate your help, I've been looking for awhile now and missed one on eBay a couple months ago in a bidding duel. Somehow my bid didn't go thru... Grrrr! So i've been looking for one ever since. This one looks to be in great shape too.
WOW thanks for the tip. I don't know how I missed that!?!? I did a search maybe two hours ago and didn't see it.
I sure appreciate your help, I've been looking for awhile now and missed one on eBay a couple months ago in a bidding duel. Somehow my bid didn't go thru... Grrrr! So i've been looking for one ever since. This one looks to be in great shape too.
I have a .520 anodized aluminum one made by green mountain. So don’t overlook that one, it’s a modern block style with sprue plate.
