Thank you and thanks for the add. I've been casting lead for about 14 years now and cast for just about every rifle and pistol I own from 54 cal round balls for my flintlock plains rifle and pistol, to 454 cal round balls for my cap guns, and from 380 ACP, 9mm to 45 ACP, 45 Colt, and 44 mag bullets. As for lever guns and bolt rifles I cast from 30-30, to 7.65 X 54R, to 45-70.
My preference is usually for plain based, non-checked bullets and although I've never counted them all, I suspect I have at least 35 molds or more and use most of them.
So the illusive mold I'm really seeking at present is a Lyman 412263! I acquired a Ruger No. 1H Tropical in 405 Winchester a few years back at a price I could afford. It has some really great wood! The last owner had cut the front sight down, maybe because he was using 51 cal pistol bullets or something like that. Anyhow, I have managed to find 405 Win Hornady dies, RCBS shell holder, two boxes of Barnes TSX non-lead bullets (haven't tried them yet) and some NOS Hornady brass in the really old rivited boxes. The brass came with about 80 or so what I believe to be Lyman 412263 cast bullets, plain based, lubed with some soft greenish stuff that works pretty good, and sized to .412". After replacing the front sight, a 412263 over a starting load of 38.5 grains of ancient surplus marked "No.4198 Rifle Powder" (yellow can) made for a very accurate load. And recoil isn't all that bad either. I haven't chrono'd them yet, but I like the load so well that I really want to find a Lyman mold for this bullet. No such luck, been looking for almost two months now. Lyman discontinued them not all that long ago either. Oh well, if I ever do find one I've got plenty of stuff for bartering!
Thanks again for the add. By the way, I do live in Big Bear Lake, CA and my day job is a professional geologist.
If anyone would like to see the story and photos about the old revived Ruger No.1H Tropical, check it out here...
http://exhaustnotes.us/blog/index.php/2022/02/04/bringing-a-405-ruger-no-1-back-to-life/