sixshot
Buckeye
Jim, that looks like a dandy & like you said, if you casts & shoots as good as it looks you bought a winner.
Dick
Dick
Looky Here!
- Thread starter sixshot
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Jimbo357mag
Hawkeye
Just like I have trouble with recognizing Ruger model numbers, the casting mold nomenclature escapes me.
Would that be a 357 magnum caliber, 172 grain mold?
...oh yes....looks purdy. :D
Would that be a 357 magnum caliber, 172 grain mold?
...oh yes....looks purdy. :D
Rick Courtright
Hawkeye
tinman said:
Hi,
If the bullets come out as pretty as the mold is, methinks Jim earns a pass on that! :)
Rick C
jsh
Single-Sixer
They are some dandy molds and kinda sexy in their own way to boot.
I have both aluminum and brass. I see neither casting better than the other. The brass are a fair bit heavier and a long session I find my arm getting tired quicker. Yes, I have a rest on my RCBS pot which helps a lot but it is still heavy. However I won't say I will not ever order another brass mole either.
Jeff
I have both aluminum and brass. I see neither casting better than the other. The brass are a fair bit heavier and a long session I find my arm getting tired quicker. Yes, I have a rest on my RCBS pot which helps a lot but it is still heavy. However I won't say I will not ever order another brass mole either.
Jeff
Jimbo357mag
Hawkeye
Jimbo357mag said:
I'm sure I am not the only one that doesn't understand, "a NOE 360-172-SWC or in more meaningful terms...a brass 358429 mold".
Jim, I'm with you. I went to their website, and perhaps I overlooked it, but couldn't find a way to figure out the codes. I "assume" the first set of numbers is caliber, the second set is weight. But wouldn't buy off an assumption.
But another question, what makes these molds good? Is it just the brass and temperature retention? What makes one mold better than another?
But another question, what makes these molds good? Is it just the brass and temperature retention? What makes one mold better than another?
NikA
Hunter
Different mold companies have different mold labelling nomenclature. I think NOE is one of the best, since it's typically diameter-grain weight-bullet type.
If I understand it correctly, Lyman's is diameter-top punch for Lyman 4500 sizer, which is less helpful unless you know which top punch corresponds to which bullet type. I don't have a Lyman sizer, but 429 is one of the more common ones and I think is a SWC for most bullet sizes.
Lee has the diameter and weight in the name, but then they have their 5-digit product code (starts with 9) engraved on many of their molds, some of which have been discontinued, so trying to guess based on that is a bit of a crap shoot.
As for goodliness, many feel that brass has a nice combination of heat capacity and thermal diffusivity with corrosion resistance. This means 3 things:
1) It is easy to keep the mold at a nearly constant temperature, resulting in casting consistency.
2) Bullets cool relatively quickly, speeding up casting.
3) You don't have to grease and degrease the molds when storing them to prevent damage.
Add this to the fact that NOE does a nice job designing and cutting their molds, and these molds are on my list of things to spend entirely too much money on in the future.
The one possibly pitfall to brass molds is that lead alloys with brass much more easily than iron or aluminum. As a result, it is often recommended to heat cycle the molds a few times before casting to build up a protective oxide layer that will greatly decrease the chances of "tinning" molten lead to your expensive brass mold.
If I understand it correctly, Lyman's is diameter-top punch for Lyman 4500 sizer, which is less helpful unless you know which top punch corresponds to which bullet type. I don't have a Lyman sizer, but 429 is one of the more common ones and I think is a SWC for most bullet sizes.
Lee has the diameter and weight in the name, but then they have their 5-digit product code (starts with 9) engraved on many of their molds, some of which have been discontinued, so trying to guess based on that is a bit of a crap shoot.
As for goodliness, many feel that brass has a nice combination of heat capacity and thermal diffusivity with corrosion resistance. This means 3 things:
1) It is easy to keep the mold at a nearly constant temperature, resulting in casting consistency.
2) Bullets cool relatively quickly, speeding up casting.
3) You don't have to grease and degrease the molds when storing them to prevent damage.
Add this to the fact that NOE does a nice job designing and cutting their molds, and these molds are on my list of things to spend entirely too much money on in the future.
The one possibly pitfall to brass molds is that lead alloys with brass much more easily than iron or aluminum. As a result, it is often recommended to heat cycle the molds a few times before casting to build up a protective oxide layer that will greatly decrease the chances of "tinning" molten lead to your expensive brass mold.
Jimbo357mag
Hawkeye
Makes sense but a NOE 360-172-SWC mold will throw a .358" diameter bullet? Seems like a lot of shrinkage and the weight must be just an average depending on the lead. :DNikA said:
NikA
Hunter
Think pre-sized vs post-sized diameter. There's a decent chance that the goal is to definitely give a bullet that can be sized to .358 rather than one that might be close enough to not be sized (as is Lee's stated goal).
The weight is obviously dependent on the exact alloy used. I think they get it from the volume of their CNC designs anyways with some estimate for the density. Still a lot better than the old makers that had mold no. 68 or whatever and you got to guess on the bullet size, shape, AND weight.
ETA: Incidentally, using the average linear CTE for lead from 700F to 100F, I get a contraction of 0.003" on a .358" bullet. So maybe it's just shrinkage on this.
The weight is obviously dependent on the exact alloy used. I think they get it from the volume of their CNC designs anyways with some estimate for the density. Still a lot better than the old makers that had mold no. 68 or whatever and you got to guess on the bullet size, shape, AND weight.
ETA: Incidentally, using the average linear CTE for lead from 700F to 100F, I get a contraction of 0.003" on a .358" bullet. So maybe it's just shrinkage on this.
Poco Oso
Buckeye
That is a thing of beauty!
Dimensions:
http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/product_info.php?cPath=35_301&products_id=2748
Dimensions:
http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/product_info.php?cPath=35_301&products_id=2748
Jimbo357mag
Hawkeye
Ah Ha!! ...a Keith bullet. :D :DPoco Oso said:
Bayouhunter
Single-Sixer
Jim that is a beauty, they hold their value better and produce a product that's worth more than any jewelry. I've have 5 of NOE's molds now. A brass .45 Keith; aluminum 44Mag 265gr GC RanchDog; brass 41mag 220 hp Keith; Aluminum 35Rem 200 gr (RCBS) PB and another 35 in their GC design I like them all. Good luck! I'm sure you'll be making some fine bullets
The only mold I have that comes close is a MP 125gr .359 brass.
My biggest problem "running out of lead to cast"
The only mold I have that comes close is a MP 125gr .359 brass.
My biggest problem "running out of lead to cast"
Bayouhunter
Single-Sixer
I started using NOE's push through sizing dies a few months ago. I have to pan lube but their sizing dies do well for me. One third the price of my Lyman dies and I can set up to push the bullet by the nose or base. I'll not quit using my Lyman sizer but will probably not buy more more dies when I can size at 1/3 the cost.
pruger45
Blackhawk
Very good looking mould!
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