WTB

Idaholewis

Active Member
Any of you guy’s have an NOE 310-165-FN-H3 (30 XCB) Mold that you are NOT in Love with, and willing to part with it? I tried ordering one but they aren’t in Stock, and NOE doesn’t allow an order and wait for the Mold to be Cut??? (I’m not real impressed with NOE at this point) NOE’s System sells Molds “in stock”
Anyway, My Long Range Cast idea has come to an Abrupt Halt Before it got started, I can’t do anything without the Mold

Thanks Fellas
 

Ian

Notorious member
Sure you can. Buy an MP 30-180 Silhouette or a Lee C312-155-2R. Also look for a used Lyman 311-644.
 

Idaholewis

Active Member
Sure you can. Buy an MP 30-180 Silhouette or a Lee C312-155-2R. Also look for a used Lyman 311-644.

The MP 30-180 looks Great, But here again i run in to Mold preference (My hangups, and they are NOT FIXABLE :)) I did break down and Decide that i would deal with another Aluminum Mold, as Badly as i dislike them. The other HUGE Hangup i have is Multiple Cavity Molds, I Don’t even Like a 2 Cavity, UNLESS it’s something little (under 200 Grains) The only thing available in the MP 30-180 Silhouette is a 3 Cavity Brass Mold, and of all things it’s a Hollow Point Design (Another Thing I’m NOT fond of, Unless it’s a Pistol Bullet) They Do have 1 Aluminum Mold Available in the MP 30-180, But it’s an 8 Cavity, I can’t even IMAGINE an 8 Cavity? I simply wouldn’t want it.

This leaves the Lee, and Lyman, I like the looks of the Lee, But here again, I don’t like Lee Molds!! I literally threw 3 Lee Molds in the Garbage last Week, a DC C501-440-RF, a .350 Roundball, and a .533 Minie, I can’t imagine Buying another one.

This leaves the Lyman, If Bullet looks had ANYTHING to do with it, The Lyman is undoubtedly my least Favorite. But it being Steel, and Just 2 Cavity, it is my Best Option at this Point.

Idealy, I would LOVE to Buy an NOE XCB 30 in a 2 Cavity, or the MP 30-180 Silhouette SOLID in a 2 Cavity. They will eventually become available, I can Wait
 

Idaholewis

Active Member
Rick Mentioned in my 750 Yard .308 Thread “Until you work on the mental bloc about aluminum nothing is going to change”

I know what i like, and I know what works BEST for me, I’ve been doing this Awhile :) I have 2 WORLD CHAMPION Shooters that can’t speak HIGHLY enough of my Bullets, I get PMs on other Forums DAILY about Casting, Selling Bullets. In short, i have a Very GOOD Reputation with my Cast Bullets.

I would rather wait for an NOE 2 Cavity Aluminum 30 XCB Mold, or a 2 Cavity Aluminum NON Hollow Point Version MP 30-180 Silhouette. I am in no Hurry, and Would Rather Get What i want, than Settle for Something that I really Don’t Want
 

Ian

Notorious member
Just giving you options since you choose to limit your learning curve. Rick has a trophy room to represent his bullets....cast from iron, brass, and AL. You're really kind of stuck, although you could get Tom to cut you a 31-188G in steel but it will have a .180" meplat. MP doesn't make AL moulds fewer than 5-6 cavities as far as I know, they're going to be brass. The HP 30 Sil comes with blank pins, but I assure you that design while excellent is a whole 'nuther beast to learn how to cast.

Here's what the HP does for me, I forget if this was the M1A or the LR-308, hundred yards, powder coated and no lube, north of 2450 fps at the muzzle:

20190327_183318_20200103171352240.jpg

ETA I think that must have been the M1A judging by the havoc on the brass (suppressed) and the thrown shot, the hand-fed shot always goes a little out of the group vs. self-fed. When I get results like this, I will put up with a lot of other difficulties and complications to stay there. YMMV, I get it, but "just sayin'".
 
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fiver

Well-Known Member
an MP 2 cavity brass mold wouldn't be too bad.
there is a definite learning curve to using brass but once you have it heat soaked it stays that way and is a bit more forgiving on time.
 

Idaholewis

Active Member
Just giving you options since you choose to limit your learning curve.

And i TRULY do appreciate it Ian!

As I’ve stated MANY times, in my Casting Video as well, Purchasing Aluminum Bullet Molds was BY FAR the Worst Decision i made in the Casting Hobby, I DESPISE them with a DEEP Passion!! I have finally Replaced ALL of the Aluminum Molds i bought with Steel, it SUCKED to Buy the Exact same Bullet Mold 2 Times, But i did it, Like 5-6 of them! To me, The Aluminum Molds were a HUGE WASTE of Money, I would have been just as well off to Lit the Money on Fire and Danced Around it in my Yard :)

I will Contact Brooks Tru-Bore Molds Monday morning and See if he Can Cut a Mold like this XCB, and, or the MP 30-180 Silhouette? I showed the XCB to BACO in hopes they could? But they Can’t Duplicate the Little Flat Meplat Nose, it would have to be Rounded, And they Simply weren’t interested in doing it. Brooks Tru-Bore Molds are Spendy at 200 Bucks, But EXACTLY what i want. I would rather pay 400 Dollars 1 time for a High Quality Steel Bullet Mold like this, Than 80-100 for an NOE or MP Aluminum. If this Falls Through, I will have no choice but to wait til NOE Has them in Stock again, If they ever do? I am NONE impressed With NOE after this little go around, Why even Bother listing Molds if you Won’t Cut, and Sell them??? I have Never seen anything like it?

 

KeithB

Resident Half Fast Machinist
Everyone has their own experiences and preferences. If someone has found a way to get the end result they want then good for them. Even in our shop I tell folks what the end result should be and offer them as many options as possible to achieve that. I mostly let them discover what works best for them. Take deburring a part for example - we have hand files, shaviv tools, rotary air tools, cordless drills with various burs and stones, etc. I show my guys what a finished part should look like and show them how I do things and then I walk away until they show me the first finished part. If it's OK then fine, if not they keep trying. I like hand files, some guys like air tools... as long as the end result is OK how they do it is their problem.

I see this discussion in much the same way. If someone gets perfect bullets using a certain type of mold and/or material that's great. I get good results from aluminum molds, steel molds, and brass molds. I have cast with all sorts of alloys, from pure lead to several Lyman #2 variants to straight linotype to what I suspect was a batch of zinc contaminated mystery metal. I've cast bullets from 70 grs to hammer heads that weighed 5 pounds. The experiences have been similar and at the same time very different. I have learned a lot from all the experimenting needed to get good results across a wide range of conditions. I am glad I have never limited my choices.
 

Ian

Notorious member
I like it when a man knows what he wants, and doesn't compromise.

Saying one doesn't like aluminum or brass mould blocks is one thing, but saying they're no good and like burning money is just silly, especially when the best options available for a certain goal happen to not be steel or iron.
 

fiver

Well-Known Member
depending on how rounded the tip was it might not be a bad option.
the exact tip of the bullet only changes the aerodynamics some and when your dealing with lead [shrug] your gonna change it just pushing it through the air some anyway.
if it's rounded over like a used pencil that probably ain't so bad really.
if it's pushed back and rounded over like a worn eraser on that pencil then your gonna kill the flight at higher speeds.
 
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KeithB

Resident Half Fast Machinist
If I wanted a round nose on a bullet with a .180" flat I think I might use a milling machine and try dropping a 3/16" ball nose mill into the closed mold.
 
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Gary

SE Kansas
Saying one doesn't like aluminum or brass mould blocks is one thing, but saying they're no good and like burning money is just silly, especially when the best options available for a certain goal happen to not be steel or iron.

Didn't you see the post above your last post. I think he's found what he's been looking for; no compromise, I like that!
 
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Idaholewis

Active Member
Saying one doesn't like aluminum or brass mould blocks is one thing, but saying they're no good and like burning money is just silly

I said it PRECISELY the way I personally see it, and Feel. That would be my opinion of course, In which Yer welcome to it
:lewis:
 

Idaholewis

Active Member
I'll look , I think I have one . My book says I have one in a 5 cavity gas check drops .310-166 in WW .

PM I'll dig it out if you want it .

RBHarter, Thank you for the Opportunity to Purchase your Mold, Agreed upon Funds will be in the Mail Monday morning when the Post Office Opens
:lewis: