WTB - 50 Cal RB mold

[oscarflytyer]

WTB - 50 Cal RB mold

I seem to recall I very recently saw one on here - or on the 'other' site - for sale. Pref is a Lyman 2c. If you have one to part with, pls let me know. Thanx!

 

[Ian]

.490"? .495"?

I have at least one, will have to dig around and see, but will be single cavity at best. My preference in RB moulds is RCBS double-cavity. Lyman's always seem to gimble the ball on the sprue cut.

Edit: What I have a .490" single cavity TC aluminum mould, the cavities look great but there's a bad scar from the sprue plate on top, not affecting the sprue stem area though, just ugly. I've never cast with it.

 

[oscarflytyer]

Ian - you and "HPope"/other forum killing me! New to me old stock rifle. No clue what will work best w/o trial and error.

Having said that - I have this one's big brother 58 (same exact models/make). With dismal experience in a previous 50 with .490s (which my Son's/diff make) shoots great, I went .575 in the 58. So I would lean to the .495 for this big 50.

Also, like you, I def prefer an RCBS DC/what I am hoping to find.

 

[Ian]

Some people like to make it up with a thick patch, but every one of my rifles seems to like as big of a ball as I can cram in the muzzle and no thinner than .015" patches, .018" is often better. This includes smoothbores. If I had to start blind I'd definitely go .495". If the rifling is really shallow, a thinner patch will make it loadable but a smaller ball probably won't.

 

[oscarflytyer]

Thanx Ian! Info I wasn't aware of. Very new at the BP Arena.

 

[oscarflytyer]

Last shot - anyone?

 

[L Ross]

Some people like to make it up with a thick patch, but every one of my rifles seems to like as big of a ball as I can cram in the muzzle and no thinner than .015" patches, .018" is often better. This includes smoothbores. If I had to start blind I'd definitely go .495". If the rifling is really shallow, a thinner patch will make it loadable but a smaller ball probably won't.

Right up until you want to reload a fouled barrel and snap you ram rod.

 

[L Ross]

I shot .490" for field use and .495" for cuttin' playin' cards and showin' off when I could use a range rod and/or keep the bore clean.

 

[RicinYakima]

What is the goal? You got to know your limitations.

 

[Ian]

Right up until you want to reload a fouled barrel and snap you ram rod.

Not a problem if you use a short starter, split hickory rammer with no grain runout, and a very thin patch grease. Or cone your muzzle. And never grab the rammer higher than one "hand" above the muzzle.

 

[Mitty38]

Interesting. Conversation.

 

[L Ross]

Not a problem if you use a short starter, split hickory rammer with no grain runout, and a very thin patch grease. Or cone your muzzle. And never grab the rammer higher than one "hand" above the muzzle.

Right you are. And if my baton had been manufactured from split hickory, instead of lathe turned and painted black, the fight may have ended sooner. With less drama.

 

[Maven]

Just a few comments re RB moulds and RB diameter. I presently have 2 of these, a Lyman and an RCBS. The first casts at .488", the second at .492", using pure Pb. Additionally, there are often many .50cal. moulds on eBay, but I confess I haven't looked there in some time. Third, a little-used Thompson/Center anodized aluminum .50cal mould (.490") is worth getting as they cast very well. Lastly, depending on your gun and what you wish to accomplish, you may want to try a .495" RB with a thinner patch and test it (for accuracy) against a nominally .490" RB + thicker patch. Don't ask....!

 

[JonB]

Last shot - anyone?

I have a two cav RCBS 495 RB mold, but I don't want to sell it.
I also have a one cav Lyman 490RB and a two cav Lee 490 RB mold.
All these molds look like new, used for 2 or 3 casting sessions at most...The Lyman may have never been used?
I'd sell the Lyman if it interests you.
So I looked up prices to see what they are currently going for.
.
Holy Crap, prices for RB molds have gone cuckoo, I guess like everything else. Looks like RCBS discontinued them, I guess that explains why RCBS prices are now high?
.
It's rare for me to offer to borrow a mold, the last time I borrowed a couple 44 cal molds (Lee and Herters), when they were shipped back to me from LA, they were covered with some adhesive that seemingly came from the reused bubblewrap that had adhesive on one side. Glad they weren't damaged as they were secured well with the sticky bubblewrap...but I wasn't happy.
So, I hesitantly offer to borrow you the RCBS and the Lyman, if you are interested. They have to be taken care of and packed well and there has to be a time limit, like a month or two.
If you want to buy the one cav Lyman 490RB, try before you buy, I am thinking of $40, doesn't include shipping, no handles.

 

[oscarflytyer]

JB - I GREATLY appreciate the loan offer. I hate to borrow and even more so loan - so I will def pass, at least for a good bit/unless I TOTALLY strike out on a 495... Worst case I CAN buy a new Lee 495...

And, also appreciate the 490 offers, but I really want a 495.

If you ever decide to part with the RCBS - pls lemme know. Thanx again!