06 October 2002, 10:33
micmacComparing moulds
Lee molds are less than $20. RCBS, Lyman, Seaco etc cost 3 to 4 times that amount. Do you get what you pay for here? Will RCS handles fit molds from Lyman and Saeco?
06 October 2002, 15:26
frankeAladin,
I'm probably easy to please;almost all of my molds are by Lyman.
Would you care to mention the reasons that make you consider them the least satisfactory of the "big three"?
Thanks
Frank
06 October 2002, 18:06
Orygun Markmicmac,
I have RCBS, LYMAN, BOND, SAECO, LEE, and some other brands. The lees are not as durable as the meehanite moulds. I find RCBS and Saeco to be the better moulds followed by Bond and Lyman. H & G are also good moulds. I really feel you get what you pay for in moulds. Lyman doesn't offer as many different moulds as they used to but that's the same as RCBS and Saeco. Bean counters dictate what is made/profitable. I think Bond had some very nice designs. If you check ebay you can still get some good buys using the buy-it-now.
As far as your questions on handles the answer is maybe. RCBS handles sometimes fit Saeco without modifications. Lyman moulds are usually loose on RCBS handles. It doesn't take much to make them work however. Hope this helps. Orygun
06 October 2002, 23:08
Lloyd Smalemy favorites are in this order Ballistic cast (h&G) rcbs seaco nei lyman lee but I use them all. the lees can be a pain in the but but for $20 they let you play with alot of different bullets cheaply and if working properly they make good bullets. Believe me this is one place you get what you pay for.
08 October 2002, 12:04
beaglemicmac...IMHO, RCBS is the best production mould on the market if you want to start casting good bullets without tinkering and well worth the money as opposed to Lees.
The Saecos are good moulds but I've had a bad one or so. Lyman's are all right and I have a bunch but you always have to tinker with them some to get them to cast good bullets.
I've never had a bad RCBS.
The remainder are out of production so there's no use commenting.
Probably the best mould on the market was an NEI meehanite. Great mould but with the passing of Walt Melander....who knows if they will be back on the market and what quality we'll get if they do come back./beagle
08 October 2002, 12:10
micmacAnyone have any 45/70 moulds they're not using that they'd like to sell? Send me an e-mail.
08 October 2002, 17:55
Orygun Markmicmac,
where in oregon are you located. Orygun
08 October 2002, 19:00
Orygun MarkI could cast you up some 457122 HP's and 457196's next time I fire up the pot. I'm across the river. I don't have a 45-70 but I use these in my 45 LC's. I work for the evil empire medical center. Orygun
08 October 2002, 19:10
micmacOrygun Mark,
I wouldn't mind that one bit
Send me an e-mail if you want to shoot sometime.
Thanks
Mike