Love My RCBS Molds!

[seagiant]

Hi,
Some pics using my RCBS 10MM 170 TC Mold and my PID on the Pot!

Have been impressed by both, the bullets fall right out of the Mold and...

The PID keeps the temp of the lead right where I want it.

Also noticed the spout on the Pot does not freeze up if you have to stop casting for a minute.

I think RCBS Iron Molds are under rated and the only drawback is they are only 2-cav., but...

They work so well, sort of makes up for that!

 

[Winelover]

Self taught with RCBS moulds, over 50 years ago. Always prefered iron moulds, as a result. Don't have an issue with two cavity moulds, just alternate cast with two. My experience with RCBS moulds are they tend to cast undersize.

 

[Ben]

My experience with RCBS moulds are they tend to cast undersize.

Ditto ^^^^^^^^^^
Ben

 

[RBHarter]

Under size and/or over weight. But only until you get the alloy and the mould on the same page ......then they're just over weight.

They do infact cast great , when you count on your 27-130 to be 135 or less and it's 141 gr no lube , no check ,no paper , and the throttle is WO ........ In case anyone wants to know the gas venting is actually quite good on a Carcano.
The 7mm 168 at 178gr , the 45-200 @ 205 and the 45-500 at 530 /534 check and lube .

In my cases the weight is an advantage and as long as one is aware of it going in it's not really a problem, when you're accustomed to small single digit percentages like a 405 at 415 gr and you get 11+ gr on a 130 .......

I don't really have any complaints about any of the makers . I'm yet to take a new mould out of the mail box and cast perfection in 10 pours by slapping handles on and pouring metal in . Although that .453-350 Mountain was very close .

 

[seagiant]

Hi,
You Guys are correct...

The cast bullet measures about .400 or a hair under.

My STAR Die in the Lubesizer is labeled .401...

However, the Bullet is accurate and no leading in my XD-M Elite Pistol...

That I shoot the bullet in?

 

[CZ93X62]

I have about 10 RCBS moulds. They cast wonderfully, no doubt about it. Only one casts undersize, that one gets used for 45 Colt loads now. It's the 45 Rifle 300 grain FNGC, which drops at 322 grains in 92/6/2. Lyman 45 Eifle moulds have the same undersized traits. The smallest throat I have ever seen on a 45/70 was .459", so why the mainstream makers continue to cast for black powder usage is a mystery. But mysteries abound in this hobby field, so sites like A&SBC have a duty to dispel the Old Wives' Tales and dispense some valid info to a world lacking in facts.

 

[Winelover]

I have about 10 RCBS moulds. They cast wonderfully, no doubt about it. Only one casts undersize, that one gets used for 45 Colt loads now. It's the 45 Rifle 300 grain FNGC, which drops at 322 grains in 92/6/2. Lyman 45 Eifle moulds have the same undersized traits. The smallest throat I have ever seen on a 45/70 was .459", so why the mainstream makers continue to cast for black powder usage is a mystery. But mysteries abound in this hobby field, so sites like A&SBC have a duty to dispel the Old Wives' Tales and dispense some valid info to a world lacking in facts.

For what iron molds are going for, nowadays. Just purchase from custom makers and specify the diameter, with whatever alloy is your choice.

 

[JonB]

Iron molds:
My experience has me preferring Saeco and H&G.
.
The two RCBS bullet molds I had gave me fits, but surely the reason could have been my inexperience at that time.
One was a 38 WC and had wrunkle/fillout issues, I wasn't using a hotplate back then and probably never got the mold hot enough.
The other was a 45 cal (350gr I think?) I didn't have a gun for it, I got it by buying all the whole collection of casting stuff from a old guy. I cast some of those but had over heating problems and band area shrinkage...I bet a Ladle and more experience would have made for better looking bullets.
.
I do have a few RCBS round ball molds and they are excellent casters.

 

[JonB]

Hi, Some pics using my RCBS 10MM 170 TC Mold and my PID on the Pot!
View attachment 33385

Let me know when you put your trash cans out by the street

 

[seagiant]

Let me know when you put your trash cans out by the street

Hi,
I love casting outside, but...

I do live in Florida!!!

 

[seagiant]

View attachment 33391 For what iron molds are going for, nowadays. Just purchase from custom makers and specify the diameter, with whatever alloy is your choice.

Hi,
That is probably a good point these days, but...

Years ago, people did not realize how great these little RCBS Molds were, and...

You could pick them up pretty cheap!

Not any more it seems!

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

I have about a doz or so and can honestly say not one is a problem or issue and quite often its ends up best suited for my needs.

CW

 

[Petrol & Powder]

I have a few RCBS molds, and I like them. The 2-cavity limit is a consideration for me. I will often turn to another maker to get additional cavities in a mold block. That being said, the iron used by RCBS is top notch and their machining is near perfect in all the blocks I’ve seen. So, if the 2-cavity restriction isn’t a deal breaker for you, RCBS certainly provides a lot of quality.

As for alternating between two molds while casting – that is not a technique for me. I don’t find it to be any faster and frankly, it just seems like more work to me. To each his own, if that technique works for you, fine. If I want greater production, I’ll buy a mold with more cavities.

 

[fiver]

about a year or so before Molly [ken mulholland] died me and him was cooking up a scheme to have 4 cavity iron molds cut using many RCBS designs.
the machinist backed out literally as i was writing the check to buy a half dozen 'cherries'.

 

[Mainiac]

Im spoiled like most,with all the new molds we can buy today.but i have rcbs molds, that ill never part with.35/200,,.32/170,,32/100 pistol.
These are the most accurate bullets,ive ever shot.

 

[CZ93X62]

The RCBS 32-98-SWC is a classic. Casts at .315" in 92/6/2, .314"+ in pure lead. Superbly accurate in 32 SWL & Mag from 700-1300 FPS.

 

[RicinYakima]

about a year or so before Molly [ken mulholland] died me and him was cooking up a scheme to have 4 cavity iron molds cut using many RCBS designs.
the machinist backed out literally as i was writing the check to buy a half dozen 'cherries'.

Molly had a lot of good irons in the fire. We were working to have a reproduction small Martini action made from a company in Columbus, OH. Between his wife's illness and then divorce, he spent the last years of his life spinning his wheels. I miss him very much.

 

[Bret4207]

I have few complaints with my RCBS moulds. The 30-180FN and 35-200FN in particular are easy to use, not "skinny" and cast well.

 

[fiver]

yeah Ric i remember that too.
we were gonna do a mold pretty much cut around the throat for that rifle.

 

[Bazoo]

I love using my RCBS moulds. The ones I have, 3 currently, all cast to size using WW + Sn alloy. My experiences include a few others that no longer own, but none of them were flops for any reason. All of them cast beautifully.