A Quandary

[High Desert Hunter]

So I really enjoy shooting the 45 Colt Marlin Limited, bulged brass and all. Well in trying to find a good 250-255 grain mould to lessen recoil a little and have no worries about the 1:38 twist, not that I have seen any issues with my beloved 45-270SAA bullet, but just the same. So I purchased an NOE mould with a lot of discount from being a frequent flyer. So far it has been the worst mould I own, it simply gives me fits, bullets won't drop, poor fillout at several temps, sprue plate screws won't lock in place, and because of the sprue plate issue, the bases aren't always kosher. Just doing a little ranting, perhaps I should have let Al ride off into the sunset of retirement and been happy with all of the other NOE offerings I use, I don't know.

Dave

[Bill in Oregon]

Dave, I wasn't very happy with the last NOE mold I had either. Bullets just didn't want to drop. My go-to is Accurate Molds. They have never disappointed me. I know they are looked down upon by many in the casting community, but I have also had good luck with the inexpensive Lee molds.
I do miss the old NEI molds. The last one I bought before Walt Melander passed was a big .715 (?) "cotton-spool" slug of about 650 grains for the Pedersoli Kodiak muzzleloading double rifle in .72. Easy slugs to cast, and pleasingly accurate in that beast. At the time I was active on a wonderful and greatly missed South African forum, Whitesmoke.za, if I recall correctly. Several of us had the Kodiak in .72 and traded load data and such -- and the guys who actually lived in Africa used it to good advantage. I wander ....

[High Desert Hunter]

Bill,
I am quite pleased with the 3 Accurate moulds I own, each basically my own design, Arsenal is another one, I have only one of theirs for my 32-20, but it casts a fine bullet. I have several Lee moulds, same with Lyman, an old 4 cavity 429421 is a go to for my 1966 Super Blackhawk. I have one LBT mould I don't use much any more as it casts a heavy for me 45 caliber bullet. One I really miss is Mountain Moulds, talk about impressive! I have one Steve Brooks mould for my Sharps, I'll never let it go, it was a gift from Bill Bagwell who was a tremendous mentor in the realm of BPCR. I wish badly that I had purchased a mould from Rob Applegate, as the bullets from his moulds are first rate! I have a few offerings from MP moulds over in Slovenia, that gent knows how to cut a mould! Anyhow, it looks like I may be sticking with the 45-270SAA for now.

Dave

[Bill in Oregon]

Dave, I also wish I had bought a mold from Rob Applegate. Seems he moved from Yoncalla to northeast Oregon -- Baker? La Grande? -- just before he quit making them. I met Col. Rex Applegate at a Lions Club gun show in Roseburg.

[marlinman93]

Might be a good idea to call NOE and tell them of the problem. Maybe they'll make a new/better one for you?

[High Desert Hunter]

NOE is under new ownership, I may give them call, but I am not sure if they will entertain my complaint. It's possible that I will chalk it up to a lesson learned.

Dave

[AJMD429]

.
The only casting I've done was for 44 Mag and the only molds I used were Lee Precision ones. I had wonderful luck with them.

I can't comment on other brands.

[High Desert Hunter]

The Marlin 1894 seems to really love this NOE bullet, was grouping very nicely at 50 yards this past weekend using 2400 in Starline cases.