I`m looking for bullet mould opinions on casting for my 696 no-dash. The Lyman #429421 - 245gr. is of course a classic but the Lyman moulds are way out of my ball park these days. I was also looking at the Lee C429 - 240SWC. but i`d like hear what you guys are casting for the 696. I ran a post a while back and most agree to run the heavier slugs through `em. I was loading 180gr. SWC about 750fps. but got a lot of negitive feed back on the lighter bullet. I`ve also heard some negitive stuff on the Lee aluminum moulds which is what I use for my round ball guns but that`s horse of a different color. I`ve had no problems with casting round balls. I`ve also been looking at bottom pour pots but get all kinds of responces on that too. I`ve been just using a casting pot on my grill but maybe it`s time to upgrade.
696 moulds
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Alk8944
US Veteran
Stick with the 429421. Look on E-Bay, just search "Bullet Moulds". Try it also spelled mold, under casting, reloading. Never know what you might find.
Second (or maybe first), call Mike's Reloading, 802-254-5296. Mike works out of his house. He has an arrangement with Lyman to purchase factory seconds. I have bought several moulds from ike and never got a bad one. May have thrown a bullet a little heavier or lighter than spedified, but perfectly useable. He is very good to work with.
Second (or maybe first), call Mike's Reloading, 802-254-5296. Mike works out of his house. He has an arrangement with Lyman to purchase factory seconds. I have bought several moulds from ike and never got a bad one. May have thrown a bullet a little heavier or lighter than spedified, but perfectly useable. He is very good to work with.
jrm53
Member
Try Mid South Shooters Supply I got a Lyman 225438 mould from them for 51.25 + shipping I think they were all priced at 51.25 I have seen them higher on Ebay with a lot more shipping cost these were double cavity.
BruceM
Member
Try to get a good used mould & handles on FleaBay. One set of handles fits all Lyman single and double cavity moulds, as you probably know and you should be able to save a fair number of dollars buying preowned equipment. The Lyman mold is far superior and worth saving for IMO.
Bruce
Bruce
TSQUARED
Member
burch,
I use the oldLyman #429421 for alll my 44 Special loads with Trail Boss powder. The work well in all my 44 Specials.
I use the oldLyman #429421 for alll my 44 Special loads with Trail Boss powder. The work well in all my 44 Specials.
Dale53
Member
I have any number of Lee moulds and am happy with them (mostly six cavity ones). However, Lee does not have a .44 mould design I am happy with. I prefer the Lyman 429421 for general use (or the similar H&G #503) in my several .44 Specials. The cast boolit board will be running my #503 through "Mihec's shop" shortly if you want to get on board. It will cost $80.00 plus $15.00 shipping plus a set of Lee six cavity handles. The mould will be a high grade aluminum six cavity mould made to proper specs. If may be a bit out of your price class (as you mention) but given a bit of care, it will work for a lifetime and give you LOTS of EXCELLENT bullets for the purpose.
I have been lucky at a couple of gun shows recently and bought two cavity moulds for a reasonable price. Ebay is another possibility. Two hundred grain moulds (I have a round flat that works well for me) will work and give less recoil but it will not shoot to the same point of aim as the 240-250 gr Keith bullet will. NEI has good moulds as does LBT. LBT (Lead Bullet Technology) has had a sale running for a while that may have something you can use but LBT's moulds can be a bit pricy, also.
Good luck in your search.
Dale53
I have been lucky at a couple of gun shows recently and bought two cavity moulds for a reasonable price. Ebay is another possibility. Two hundred grain moulds (I have a round flat that works well for me) will work and give less recoil but it will not shoot to the same point of aim as the 240-250 gr Keith bullet will. NEI has good moulds as does LBT. LBT (Lead Bullet Technology) has had a sale running for a while that may have something you can use but LBT's moulds can be a bit pricy, also.
Good luck in your search.
Dale53
ChuckS1
US Veteran
There are 429421 molds on eBay right now.
I picked up a Lyman 429244B which is a 255 grainer. I haven`t tried any out yet but plan on it real soon. I got it at a bargain and if it doesn`t work out i`ll go to the 429421. I was wondering what alloy mix your using for the 696 ?
Dale53
Member
I don't have a 696 but the alloy mix I am using for now in ALL of my .44's is WW+2% tin. It works extremely well.
Dale53
Dale53
Paul5388
US Veteran
As primersp says, "for handles take the lee for 6 cav the cost is twice less than rcbs or saeco and lyman and it works in the 3 brands." I use several sets of Lee handles on RCBS, Ohaus and Lyman moulds. It takes a little sanding, but that's easy enough with a flap type sanding disc and a 4" grinder.
I use a 50/50 mix of clip on to stick on wheel weights for everything, including 358429 loads at 1750 fps. Fit is more important than hardness, so I use a big enough sizing die and don't worry about leading.
I use a 50/50 mix of clip on to stick on wheel weights for everything, including 358429 loads at 1750 fps. Fit is more important than hardness, so I use a big enough sizing die and don't worry about leading.
