Arsenal Molds

stlg67

Southeast Texas
I recently purchased (266-92 SPITZER) model mold to start making bullets for the grendel. I searched for molds on the 6.5 but not many available and I seen these and got one. Has anyone used this brand before?
 

dannyd

Well-Known Member
I messaged the owner of the Arsenal Molds to ask if the one I was buying had the gas check groove, but I didn't get a reply. It appears to have the groove but I haven't used it yet. Thanks for the reply, the mold I bought looks well built.
He's a one man show and does not answer emails regularly. He does ship the molds quickly and they are of good quality.
 

Glaciers

Alaska Land of the Midnight Sun
I have half a dozen Arsenal molds an I’m happy with them. Being able to pick out one of Jared’s designs and specify the diameter, gas check or plain base, being able to order a mold with both plane base and gas check and good prices
 

JonB

Halcyon member
I messaged the owner of the Arsenal Molds to ask if the one I was buying had the gas check groove, but I didn't get a reply. It appears to have the groove but I haven't used it yet. Thanks for the reply, the mold I bought looks well built.
If you bought it new from Jared's stock and it looks like it has a shank for a GC, then it likely does...because mostly, we casters want a GC on a Rifle bullet (for those who are about to disagree, I did say most)
BUT, heat up some alloy and cast some, then report back to let us, so we can know the details...I'd also like to know the actual Diameter.

I have a few Arsenal molds,,,I am happy with all of them.
 

Wasalmonslayer

Well-Known Member
I have several of the Arsenal molds and they all cast splendid!
Some of the best vented molds I have ever used.
Fill out is almost near perfect with even low tin lead.
If he has a design that fits your needs jump you won’t be sorry!
 

Foo

Active Member
I purchased the 266-150 RN - PC for my Swede Mauser but have not tried it yet. But it is a beautiful mold to look at!!
 

Jeff H

NW Ohio
I bounce back and forth between Arsenal and NOE, based on which one has what I am looking for.

I love my NOE moulds. Never had a problem with them that I recall and they work wonderfully. The value, when comparing to commercial offerings is astounding. I won't bother listing pros and cons, because it's all pros, except I can't always get what I want when I want it. Rock-solid quality, value and service. I would love to be able to pick a NOE mould and order it, but Al knows his own business and runs it accordingly. Doesn't always work out for me personally, but if it's working for him, it's working for the majority of us.

I love my Arsenal moulds. I've had one problem with one mould, which I'd bet money was a program "thing." Something got reversed or mirrored that shouldn't have. It was not a workmanship or material issue. Jared corrected the issue quickly by replacing the blocks. Treated me like he knew me. As far as pros and cons, I'd say Arsenal gets an extra pro for being able to send me what I want, when I want it, and I can specify a minimum diameter for existing designs.

I won't count the one problem mould from Arsenal against Jared, because I was treated fairly and it was corrected quickly. I'm absolutely certain that Al would have done right by me too, but, to be fair, he's one up on Jared, as I haven't gotten a problem mould from Al. Maybe something to that or maybe luck, I don't know, but I look to those two guys first, unless some super-ridiculous deal pops up on a 6C Lee, like happened a month or so ago. I have an equal number of NOE and Arsenal moulds,... last time I looked.
 

dannyd

Well-Known Member
I have molds from many different manufacturers and I like NOE as much as Arsenal but NOE doesn't always have what I need in stock. (I cropped NOE out of the first picture) So I buy what's available. That hollow base wadcutter mold will try your patience's.

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stlg67

Southeast Texas
If you bought it new from Jared's stock and it looks like it has a shank for a GC, then it likely does...because mostly, we casters want a GC on a Rifle bullet (for those who are about to disagree, I did say most)
BUT, heat up some alloy and cast some, then report back to let us, so we can know the details...I'd also like to know the actual Diameter.

I have a few Arsenal molds,,,I am happy with all of them.
As soon as I get some spare time to make some I'll for sure let y'all know. I just ordered a bullet sizer hopefully get it in a couple of days.
 

stlg67

Southeast Texas
I have an issue trying to gas check these Arsenal 92g 6.5 bullets. They are powder coated but using three different thickness aluminum only had 4 hold the gas check, the rest didn't stay on., and I think these were just a fluke.
Any ideas?????? I've gas checked. 30cal and .223 cal with now issue. These bullets are 26 on BHN , not sure if that matters.
 

stlg67

Southeast Texas
I have an issue trying to gas check these Arsenal 92g 6.5 bullets. They are powder coated but using three different thickness aluminum only had 4 hold the gas check, the rest didn't stay on., and I think these were just a fluke.
Any ideas?????? I've gas checked. 30cal and .223 cal with now issue. These bullets are 26 on BHN , not sure if that matters.
I'm not sure if this mold has the gas check or not, I reached out to Jared at Arsenal Molds by email asking that question but haven't heard back.
 

JonB

Halcyon member
Measure the shank and Alum thickness (2x) and do the math.
How does that compare to your Sizer die's actual size, assuming you measured a sized bullet?
 

Jeff H

NW Ohio
I have an issue trying to gas check these Arsenal 92g 6.5 bullets. They are powder coated but using three different thickness aluminum only had 4 hold the gas check, the rest didn't stay on., and I think these were just a fluke.
Any ideas?????? I've gas checked. 30cal and .223 cal with now issue. These bullets are 26 on BHN , not sure if that matters.

In what little PC'ing I've done, I believe that I've determined that the process does not necessarily lend itself to absolute consistency in coating thickness. I've played with it a bit, in an effort to come up with bullets on which I don't want to have to expend the time/effort to size. I'm talking about 35 caliber wadcutters for general -purpose use about the property and in the woods, which won't be launched at more than 50 yards - more likely one to 25 yards. I'm seeing variations in diameter up to .002", which is fine, if I'm sizing them, but presents some issues otherwise.

Given that the 6.5 bullets are much smaller in diameter, I'm thinking a variation of .002" would be more pronounced, making gas check seating more variable in terms of success. I've found that annealing aluminum gas checks has made them seat more consistently for me if one is inclined to go to the extra trouble. I tend to do such chores, not when I need ammo, but when there's nothing else to do, like when the weather drives me inside, all t he brass is processed, bullets are cast/sized/lubed or PC'd already, etc.
 

stlg67

Southeast Texas
Measure the shank and Alum thickness (2x) and do the math.
How does that compare to your Sizer die's actual size, assuming you measured a sized bullet?
The bullet shank is .255, the thickness of the aluminum for the gas checks are three different sizes, .114, .112, .100. The inside diameter of the made gas checks is .245. This gas check tool was made by a guy that made my .30 cal and .223 tools and they work okay. I only can message him through Ebay and I'm waiting for suggestions from him also. I've only been casting bullets for about 6 months or so.
 
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Spindrift

Well-Known Member
For these bullets, I make aluminium gas checks using 0,006in (0,16mm) material, from disposable serving trays. This works well for me. Even the thinner beer can material has worked reasonably well for 6,5mm gas checks. I install checks before coating.


Are you using a Pat Marlin tool? In case you are, this is an important trick:

When you cut the discs, they will have one edge that is rounded, and one that is burred. When you drop the disc into the forming cup, make sure the side with the burred edge is facing up. The disc will self- centre (much) more easily, and those burrs will end up facing the bullet shank, where they sink their horrendous fangs into the bullet, never to let go.