I'm wanting suggestions on a mould for my .45 acps. Criteria is at least 230 grains, at least a four gang for high output, aluminum for ease of casting, and something of high quality. Also a design that would be best for Black Bear in a 'forced to' senerio. Ideas anyone?

NEI Handtools... They make a lot of aluminum moulds. I have one of theirs that is their own version of the H&G 68, but it throws bullets of ~225, depending on alloy. I would sell it to you, but I don't think it will make your 230-grain minimum. I don't think the extra five grains is going to make any difference, but that is your call.

PM me if you are interested.

Lyman has a 255 grain for the Colt that Keith shortened the nose on so it could be used in the .45 revolvers of WW I. Came out 235 grains. Knew one fella claimed it fed great in his auto! Much copied. And with the .45's you don't need great amounts of tin or antimony, so easier to get your 230 plus. I'd lean toward the LEE tumble lube job. Luck.

lymans 452664 is a 250 gr rnfp.
that a lot of guys use for shooting bowling pins with in their 1911's.
the older 452or 454 keith type with the shorter nose lengthss look like an overgrown swc.
a friend of mine reported the ones i sent him shot well in his 1911 also.
i sent them to him to use in his 45 colt revolver,but he used them in his 1911 anyways.

Lyman makes aluminum molds?

Not aluminum but I would contact Veral Smith of LBT for something in the LFN for your acp. Just placed an order for the same but 230 gr.

Alan

I've got maybe 2 dozen of Verals LBT moulds. Good stuff. They are all aluminum. Thanks.

lyman don't make aluminum molds, but just buying a mold because it's in aluminum isn't the way to go.
you need a design thats gonna work in your gun then worry about who makes it.
i would try to get some samples of whats out there and see which one works for you ,then get the mold cut.

quote:

Criteria is at least 230 grains, at least a four gang for high output, aluminum for ease of casting, and something of high quality.

It seems he knows exactly what he wants. He's looking for suggestions within those parameters.

in a mold yep in a boolit nope,
a good mold and a crapy boolit design ain't gonna get you too far.
i'd rather make one at a time if they'll shoot rather then a bucketfull of ones that won't.

NEI is great if you want to spend the money. The Lee 6cav is decent & the 250grRNFP would be a good woods load @ 800fps. I prefer the same design as a 200gr & run it @ 950fps. It will penetrate deep & the very wide nose smacks hard.

I stand corrected. Seems LBT molds are aluminum.

My two new molds just arrived yesterday and I've ordered a third already.

LBT 230 LFN for 45 ACP/LBT 280 WFN for my Ruger NMBH in 45LC.