New mould: need it, or just like how it looks

[Michael]

Good evening,

Just sitting her wondering about a couple of things. We all purchase a mould(s) for a specific reason, but how many times have we purchased one or more over the years simply because we liked the mould or bullet and just wanted it or to see how it would work out, thought it looked cool, cute, etc. Not talking about collecting them, but actually using them, to whatever degree. Just cuz is reason enough. Feel free to share your favorite whim(s) and/or story behind it.

 

[Rick]

I've bought dozens of molds over the years just because I didn't have that one. Or any other silly excuse I could think of.

 

[fiver]

i just got 4 cause i think i could use one of them.
and the price was fair.
heck i bought a lee mold once cause it worked out to free shipping for maybe 5 bucks more than the original price with shipping.

you know meanwhile i could have just bought a mold i really could use..

 

[RBHarter]

Ive bought a number of moulds w/o thinking it through , so I have four 405 class 45s , and 200 ,250/55 , and a 350 gr bullets for 45 pistols but no 230s in 6-7 moulds .

30 cal moulds , don't wanna talk about it , how many do you really need for a couple of 06's and a couple of 30-30s .

At least the 35 cal clan I can blame on having 5 cartridges .......I guess that excuse works for .452s to so that's something .

Then there's the sequencial numbers that should end up with a general weight in caliber but it's a different caliber in the same weight that you already have 3 of ........

No not me I've never been prone to buying .

 

[RicinYakima]

Yep, bought all of the Keith designed bullets, even his from Belding and Mull. Plus all of Ray Thompson's designed.

 

[Spindrift]

I’ve bought loads of moulds because the bullet simply looked good, or just different. I’ve even bought moulds I didn’t really think would work, just for the challenge; «wouldn’t it be cool if I could get that bullet to work?». I’ve also bought moulds because I reached the threshold of free shipping and figured the mould would be very cheap anyway.

My latest acquisition was a Lee 7/8oz slug mould, on discount. While this mould was one of the cheapest I’ve got, it will probably be the one that costs me the most in the end. Since I’ve never reloaded shotgun, don’t have the gear to do it, will probably get loads of other slug moulds and maybe a new shotgun....

 

[fiver]

slug loading can be quite simple with a roll crimping tool and a drill press to place everything in the case with even tension.

 

[Spindrift]

Good tip, @fiver ! I'll look for a roll crimping tool.

 

[Bret4207]

Most of my moulds were, "Hey! That might work in..." type buys and several were specifically because I wanted a particular brand or style I didn't have. I'd still like to pick up an Ohaus or some sort and I'll never have enough 32's, 35's or fat 36's.

 

[Brad]

I’m the opposite- I buy few moulds. I tend to find something that works and just stick with it.
I find the simple approach works better for me. Not suffering from nostalgia helps.

 

[Winelover]

I don't get caught up with Keith bullet. SWC is a SWC to me. All my SWC molds are RCBS, except for the MP clone of the RCBS 45 SSA. Prefer RNFP, these days, anyways. RCBS molds have been retired due to insufficient number of cavities and they tend to drop smaller diameters than I want.

 

[Bret4207]

I didn't know nostalgia was a disease. I thought it was enjoying good memories.

 

[JonB]

It seems I buy a mold, because it is there
...which is why it seems I sell a lot of molds.

side note, last September, at the local gunshow, during the height of the shortages, I seen a guy with a bunch of tables full of stuff. He had a dozen used Lee molds and he knew nothing about them. He was asking $30 each for 2c and $60 for 6c. All were coated with soot and cavities filled with frozen alloy. I pick out a couple of the 2c, a old 22 bator and a 9mm/357 SWC and offered $50. The seller was hesitant but took my cash. I felt good about the purchase, until an hour later when it hit me that I don't need a 4th bator mold or another 9mm mold, and I paid $8 each more than the "before times" price for brand new Lee molds

 

[Brad]

I didn't know nostalgia was a disease. I thought it was enjoying good memories.

When it leads one to purchase things they don’t need I call it suffering from nostalgia.

Using a 311291 in my 30-30 instead of the superior, to me, 165 RD would be suffering from nostalgia.

 

[Bret4207]

When it leads one to purchase things they don’t need I call it suffering from nostalgia.

Using a 311291 in my 30-30 instead of the superior, to me, 165 RD would be suffering from nostalgia.

How would you know it doesn't work unless you tried though? The 291 has made a lot people very happy in a 30-30 and other calibers. The 165RD may be better, but with RD gone there's probably someone out there who'd buy that mould just to get it, so would that be practicality or nostalgia?

To each their own!

 

[Missionary]

I started all this because casting was what dad did. Then I like to shoot and ammo was costly. Then came "that may be better" phase. Then the we do not have one of that weight / design. Then the "what a fine looking caliber that may be" which then required the purchase of said caliber.
Now I view a new mold as a far better investment than leaving money in any bank. Far more fun also !

 

[462]

Nostalgia is the only thing keeping me sane in today's insane society.

A ventless, single-cavity Ideal 308291 was either my first or second rifle mould. It performed admirably in both the Winchester 94 and the 03A3. Bought both rifles for their nostalgiaistic appeal, too.

 

[Rally]

I for sure , have bought moulds because I thought they would work better in a specific rifle or pistol, than what I had, guilty as charged. These days I buy what I want to make work within a certain bullet design, which is why I really like the Noe Rg series of moulds, which really, are three designs in one mould, Fp, Dp, or hp. I’ve found I get the best performance in my Marlin levers with the Dp castings, and have actually been surprised at the difference just changing pins can make.
my current obsession is with the Russian slug moulds. My last two (.410 and 20) have just cleared customs!

 

[JWFilips]

I try for one "good" mould for every gun! After that the others are gravy. I don't need them and shoot them once in awhile...but always gravitate to the one good mould that produces results for every gun

 

[Bret4207]

I own 2 Hoch nose pours that I bought because they were Hochs and nose pours. I don't think I've ever made a single bullet with either- yet!