I just got an email from Doug. His wife passed away yesterday, she has been battling cancer for several years now and has gone home. His sons are with him now. Let's keep Doug and his family in our prayers.
Swamprat
Friday, March 18, 2016
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
NOE Bullet Moulds
Swamprat really helped me out concerning ideas for fixing my "truant" Ruger's chronic leading problems. His recommendation was to check
out NOE Bullet Moulds. He has a couple of their moulds and had high
praise for them. A quick look at their web page had me sold. They offer
both brass and aluminum moulds in a bewildering variety of sizes and
configurations, and I found a mold that may just solve my problems.
The mould I chose is a four-cavity aluminum listed as being .432" and 258 grain SWC profile. The cavity design looks virtually identical to the Lyman 429421 that I currently own. I went with aluminum not for the lower price, but for the lower weight of the four-cavity design. Friday morning I emailed the company asking about "as cast" diameter and handle selection. I received a reply within minutes and a follow-up call about a couple other details was handled in a courteous and friendly manner. I was sold and placed my order online. Imagine my surprise when my new mould and handles arrived Monday morning!
The moulds are works of art. Following the company's suggested breaking-in process, I was soon casting bullets. Bullets dropped from the mould with a gently shake rather than the pounding on the handle hinge-bolt needed with my Lee and Lyman molds. With my alloy bullets weighed 258-259 grains and were sharp and clean on all edges. Diameter measures an average of .43270" (borrowed a friend's five-place digital micrometer for precision - which also proved my bore and chamber throats are .4322" rather than the .4325" my mic read - not earth shattering but helpful) which would allow for a quick pass through a .432" sizer (special ordered from Lee and not on hand yet) to clean up and uniform the bullets.
The handles are very well made and are pinned to keep the wood from working off during use; a very welcome idea.
Once I get my sizing die I'll let you know how things work out. In the mean time I will be sizing a few to .430" to try in my other .44s. I strongly suggest anyone looking for reasonably priced quality moulds to check out NOE. I think you will be as impressed as I am.
The mould I chose is a four-cavity aluminum listed as being .432" and 258 grain SWC profile. The cavity design looks virtually identical to the Lyman 429421 that I currently own. I went with aluminum not for the lower price, but for the lower weight of the four-cavity design. Friday morning I emailed the company asking about "as cast" diameter and handle selection. I received a reply within minutes and a follow-up call about a couple other details was handled in a courteous and friendly manner. I was sold and placed my order online. Imagine my surprise when my new mould and handles arrived Monday morning!
The moulds are works of art. Following the company's suggested breaking-in process, I was soon casting bullets. Bullets dropped from the mould with a gently shake rather than the pounding on the handle hinge-bolt needed with my Lee and Lyman molds. With my alloy bullets weighed 258-259 grains and were sharp and clean on all edges. Diameter measures an average of .43270" (borrowed a friend's five-place digital micrometer for precision - which also proved my bore and chamber throats are .4322" rather than the .4325" my mic read - not earth shattering but helpful) which would allow for a quick pass through a .432" sizer (special ordered from Lee and not on hand yet) to clean up and uniform the bullets.
The handles are very well made and are pinned to keep the wood from working off during use; a very welcome idea.
Once I get my sizing die I'll let you know how things work out. In the mean time I will be sizing a few to .430" to try in my other .44s. I strongly suggest anyone looking for reasonably priced quality moulds to check out NOE. I think you will be as impressed as I am.
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