Bullet molds

[KHickam]

Well, in the near future I will have to get a couple ball molds for a .62 cal smoothbore fowler. I will probably get a Rapine bag mold and a Lee Mold for around here - any other suggestions?

 

[wulf]

I had a Chasse and later made a Miquelet pystol
that also was a 62 ca.. I selected a Lee mold as
I have had so much success with them for so many
years...I like Lee because they cast far more
perfect than any of my Lyman or Ideal molds..I
must admit that i only cast about fifteen different calibers of about 500 per...of the Lee
and the Lyman or Ideal..I will always prefer the
Lee every time...for what its worth based on no
facts what so ever.

 

[Legionair]

If your going to cast for volume, I'd go with a Lee or maybe a Lyman double mold. For reenacting go with the Rapine. They are repros of the bag molds gun makers would make for their arms.

I have one of the Rapine and they are top quality, you won't be disappointed. :thumbsup: :hatsoff: But, as others may suggest, check your bore diameter for your most accurate sized mold.

Good luck...

Legion

 

[Todd Rickard]

I too am looking for a ball mold, in a size to use in my 10 gauge, about .760 to .770. I now use Lee molds with no complaints, but they don't seem to make one big enough for my needs this time.
Anyone have suggestions?

 

[wyatt243]

LEE can custum build your 10 ga mould it is a bit more costly but they still warrenty everything and they are of excellent quality, I currently have 13 LEE moulds and would not hesitate on buying 13 more If the need arose. Just my 2 cents worth and only my opinion on the quality but the custom part is right from their catalog
:hatsoff:

 

[silverfox]

Check with Jeff Tanner for molds I think they still only run about $35 and take about a week to get after your order. Check in the links section
Fox :thumbsup:

 

[paulvallandigham]

Measure that bore on the 10 gauge barrel as they can vary. It will make the difference between buying the correct sized mold and the wrong one. A 10 gauge is nominally .775" in diameter. That would call for using a .760 to 765" ball at the widest. You need to leave room for patching, and you want to pick a patching material that is about .005 " oversized for the space allowed. On a rifle, you go thicker, but not with a smoothbore. If you use a .760 ball in a .775" bore, that leaves you .015 " space between the bore and the ball. If you have a .018- .020 patch, lubed, you should be able to load it firmly but with ease, and it will give you good accuracy. However, if you try to use too thick a patch, it just won't load.

 

[Todd Rickard]

The bore is oversized on my 10 ga. I can't measure it, but a .778 wad will slide right down with little resistance. I have ordered 9 ga. wads for it.
I'd like to have a ball that is close to bore size so I can load a bare ball without a patch.
I will check on a custom LEE mold, as I'm pleased with the ones I have. Good prices too.
I actually have a sinker mold that casts about a one oz. ball that will work in the 10ga with a very heavy patch. At the short range I would use it at, this might be all I need. I will try it at the range tommorow.

 

[Todd Rickard]

A custom Lee round ball mold in a size larger than .690 would cost nearly $275... so not really an option.

 

[MSW]

wow- that's a bit pricey... i guess it all boils down to economy of scale and price of lay out. the first widget off the assembly line is always the most expensive.

having said that, i must confess to a prejudice in favor of Lee molds- always had great results with both roundball and centerfire bullets.

 

[buttonbuck]

reading the tanner website they will make any size mould so