Bongo Boy
posted this
10 February 2010
I've got two, the 452-255-RF and the 452-200-RF, both 6-cavity units. I mostly cast the 255gr round-nose flat-points for .45 ACP IDPA/IPSC loads, and it works well most of the time. Problems I've had are to do with learning a little bit about tempo...if you get things too hot you can really make a mess of those aluminum sprue plates.
My experience is that, if I'm a bit careful with pace, keep the mold faces absolutely clean and lubed and keep the sprue plate pin tight (so crap doesn't get under it), I can produce around 1,000 good bullets in a few hours.
I think you have to 'get to know' your mold, your pot or furnace, and your alloy--just as you probably do with any mold.
The six-cavity mold with handles costs about as much as 500-600 cast bullets bought online. So, after a single short casting session, the mold has already paid for itself.
With bullets in the 255gr weight range (or heavier) and a 6-cavity mold, I don't find my 5-quart dutch oven with 20-30lbs of lead in it to be overkill. Five mold's worth is a pound of lead...so you're melting at a pretty good clip.