Picked up a H&G mold!

CWLONGSHOT

CWLONGSHOT

Well-Known Member
I believe it to be a H&G 50. 358/148 WC. Button nose in a steel 10 Cav WITH nut cracker handles.

I think I have three "38" WC molds, but all are single cavity.

I was wanting a 6cav LEE, but watching sales posts.

This was offered with a bunch of"44" molds and two other 4 cav H&G I slready own.

Ill make a video with the mold once I get it!!

CW
 
W

Walks

Well-Known Member
Congrats,
Those are very cool molds. And a Major PITB to cast with. The only way I could ever cast successfully with mine was to crank up my RCBS Pro-melt all the way and adjust the mold guide bar with just enough clearance for the smallest of sprues. I kept the hotplate next to the Pot and cast fast, once I got a rhythm going I'd turn down the hotplate. But rejects were high, 15% or better.
It was so hard to use, and cast decent bullets that I gave up and traded it off. Keeping the mold up to temp. was more trouble then it was worth. Although if I ever find a 4cav with handles in worthwhile shape that I can afford, I may try it again. Maybe

For me those monsters belong in the past, with Dad & Uncle ladle casting over a giant plumbers pot.
I haven't cast a WC in .38cal in 35yrs ???? or more. Maybe when I start casting again I'll find that old #358495 2cav. Hopefully the blocks aren't rusted together.
 
dannyd

dannyd

Well-Known Member
That mould does work best over the plumbers pot and with a big ladle. With a normal pot 20 to 25 pounds it's a chore to cast all 10 cavities some people just fill the first five.
 
D

Dale53

Active Member
I have a couple or three H&G moulds. One is a four cavity for the H&G #50 button nosed wadcutter (my favorite w/c mould). It is a delight to cast. I can empty one of my 22 lb. RCBS bottom pour pot in an hour and a half. Using my "standard" alloy (WW's + 2% tin) I typically get maybe a half dozen culls in 20 lbs. of cast bullets. It is a dream!

I also have a six cavity for an H&G #251 .38 double ended w/c. However, it weighs about five pounds and is too tiring for this certified old fart to enjoy casting with it. It IS a pleasure to use other than it's weight. The bullets fall from the mould when I open it.

FWIW
Dale53
 
Bret4207

Bret4207

At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
I have a 10 cav H+G 50. I use a large pot (40-50 lbs) and ladle (1lb Rowell). Once those are up to temp the piles of bullets grow unbelievably fast. Yeah, they're heavy, that's why God gave us hunks of 2x4 to rest stuff like that on while we pour!
 
CZ93X62

CZ93X62

Official forum enigma
My "ideal cavity count" to cast with is probably "3". 4-banger in aluminum isn't too bad, but once past that I lose efficiency. I am actually pretty happy with two-cavity moulds, and those make up the majority of what I own. I normally cast with 2 of those in aluminum blocks or 2/3 in iron/steel.
 
Brad

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
Picked up A new mould. Showed it to my shooting buddy who is an MD. He told me to turn my head and cough.
 
Tomme boy

Tomme boy

Well-Known Member
Why would this be any harder to get good bullets than say a 8 cav. I have a couple 8 cav MP molds and they cast no problem. Just have to get them hot before starting. Other than how HEAVY they would be I don't see a problem.
 
RBHarter

RBHarter

West Central AR
That's exactly it . I have an 8C #130 that's about 12# . I run it for a pot or 2 and that brass MP 462-420 is plesent to use .
 
RBHarter

RBHarter

West Central AR
No , but you can turn the mould around . The trouble with that is that it swings far enough to pinch fingers , burn wrists .......no permanent injury .
 
D

Dale53

Active Member
That bullet design (H&G #50) is my most used bullet these days. However, my mould is a four cavity steel and these days about as heavy as I am interested in using. "Back in the day" the 8 and 10 cavity moulds were no problem. However, now that I am a "Certified Old Fart" a four cavity steel or brass (or a six cavity aluminum) mould is heavy enough for me to handle.

FWIW
Dale53
 
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