Report: Custom Mold from Arsenal Molds

[JonB]

I had a great experience conversing with Jared about a lightweight SWC in 41, cut in a 5 cavity mold (which isn't in their catalog).
He said allow about 2 weeks for delivery, it arrived (yesterday), which was about 2 weeks (41-205-SWC).


I cleaned up the mold (Hotwater/dishsoap/toothbrush) and began casting, it went well. I assembled 3 dummy rounds (seated to Crimp groove, COAL 1.642) and cycled "the set of three dummy rds" a few times each through both my Marlin 1894s and my Henry Big Boy steel. I was extremely happy how they cycled in both guns. Of course, actual live fire at the range will tell the real story.

Great custom mold at a great price($95). Great conversation with Jared. Great bullets.

 

[freebullet]

Congratulations! Really like the second pic. Fine looking bullets too. Hope they shoot good for ya.

 

[uncle jimbo]

Nice looking bullets. Be waiting for the range report.

 

[Pistolero]

Elmer would be proud of that bullet.
Bill

 

[KeithB]

I like the bullet, but I wonder about the size of the grease groove. I thought one of the reasons for Elmer putting a big square grease groove in his designs was to hold enough lube using lubes of the time that were not nearly as effective as the ones we have available now. Now we have liquid lubes and powder coat and really effective lubes that don't require a cupful on each bullet to work well. Of course if you plan to use traditional lubes this bullet should work well.

I like the nose shape, but if I were to order one I would probably get a smaller lube groove and a little thicker front band to add about 5-10grs to the weight.

Not being critical, we all have our own ideas of the perfect bullet shape. Looking forward to range results.

 

[fiver]

I'm with Keith.
the Elmer designs had 3 equal length drive bands.


that is pretty similar to a lyman 41 design I have though, the lyman has the stronger middle band but the thin front drive band.
that front band kills me every time I cast with the mold.
fortunately I can't shoot a revolver well enough for it to matter.

 

[KHornet]

I agree with Bill!

Paul

 

[JonB]

Keith,
You make some very good points. I have a few 41 SWC molds already (including a NOE Keith style), but all are heavier. I bought/swapped for some sample bullets of a Lyman 410032 SWC that was 205gr and My Henry Big Boy Steel seemed to like it the best over the heavier ones I had molds for.

ANYWAY, Arsenal has a 41 220gr Keith SWC in their catalog, I just asked Jared to shave off a bit here and there to get it near 200gr as well as a slight radius on the front of the drive band. I didn't ask for any Modification to the lube groove, I figure with my lube, it won't matter (Fling-off). Also, since they will mostly be going down a 20" barrel of a levergun, it might not be a bad thing to have that extra lube.

 

[KeithB]

JonB, I almost hate to voice too many opinions online where they can be misinterpreted cause you know I'm not dissing anybody else's choices. I really do like your bullet and I can certainly understand wanting a slightly lighter .41 bullet. I have a Lee 195 gr and a 240 gr SWC in .41 and a couple 220 gr SWC types (Lyman and H&G) so having a 205 gr bullet would fill a nice gap.

 

[Pistolero]

Differences in opinion are a good thing. Keith is probably right about the possibility of getting
by with less lube, but I have never had it be a problem per-se, and it would seem that it would
be better to err on the side of too much rather than too little. But, I have many different
kinds of bullets which work well, even though they look quite different.

I esp like the idea that it works through the lever guns, they can be pretty picky about SWCs,
at least mine really are.

Bill

 

[Ian]

At the end of the day, it works for us as individual handloaders and shooters, or it doesn't. If it works, good enough.

 

[Rally Hess]

I have the RCBS 150 KT and the 245 KT(two of each) and like Bill, had the worse time getting them to feed in lever guns. Shot wonderful once chambered but ended up seating over the forward drive band in my .357. Mine are all Marlins so no experience with the Henry's yet. I've shot several deer and bear with the 245 KT, in fact prefer it over any jacketed I used prior.

 

[JonB]

I lubed and sized about 350 of these today, during the freezing rain/snow storm.
Gett'n closer.