Home Forums Reloading Bullet Casting Are the Aluminum molds ok?

I'm just getting into this and noticed a huge difference in price between the Lee dies and other brands. I've always figured you get what you pay for but for a guy who might do a couple thousand bullets a year, are the Lee's a good option?

"Are the Aluminum molds ok? "

Tens of thousands of them have been sold to happy casters.

so what's the difference? Do they wear out? Are they not consistent?

"Do they wear out?"

I dunno yet. I've had both iron and alum molds for maybe thirty years and neither type has worn out on me. I'm reasonably sure the alum molds will go before the iron ones but for the price difference against how long they last, who cares.


"Are they not consistent?"

It seems they are as consistant as the user allows.

Thanks boomtube.

I've got several alumunum made by NEI and they are wonderful.

Jim

I have both aluminum (Lee) and steel (Lyman) molds. The aluminum ones are mostly for round balls and the steel ones for bigger, BPCR bullets, where I am more concerned about keeping the mold temperature up. Both types do what they are supposed to do for me. As long as you don't mistreat either type, they will last as long as you will .

The Lee 6 cavity molds are excellent, I have 4 of them plus a Ranch Dog "custom" Lee mold and love them. I've heard that their 1 and 2 cavity molds are nowhere near the same quality but can't say firsthand, I've only read that.

I actually prefer aluminum over iron. Aluminum heats more quickly and a 5 or 6 cavity mold is much lighter than a 4 cavity iron mold and is less fatiguing to work with.

Have had 6 LBT molds, they are aluminum and are the easiest casting molds I've ever owned.

I really enjoy my Lee moulds. If you decide to go with Lee, go ahead and spend a few more dollars for their 6 cavity if available for the bullet style you want. The alignment pins, mould faces, and handles are worlds ahead of the quality you get with their 2 cavity moulds.

And as an added benefit, you really end up with a big pile of bullets in a hurry!

I've posted this pic a bunch but don't mind doing it again as these Lee sixers are the only way to go!



Thanks to your recommendation WE I sent that double cavity back and there IS a world of diff between the two.

The Lee six cavity molds are great - might need a little "leementing" (google it) to run at their best. NEI aluminum molds are also excellent - better finish than the Lees, but those 6 cavity molds run out a ton of boolits FAST! I do have a couple of double cavity molds, and they are also good, but not as well finished as the 6 cav and the alignment pins leave something to be desired.

NEI current production moulds are a crap shoot and I cannot recommend them in good concious (sp).

I do have several Lee 6 C moulds and they work very well.

I have several NOE (Night Owl Enterprise) moulds also alum but a different type of alum from the Lee kind and they are very good also.

I also have brass and steel moulds.

Treating each mould with a little care, any one of them should last you at least 100,000 bullets cast.

Blammer
It's been a while since I bought anything from NEI. I placed my orders with Walt Melander himself. I've heard that who ever took over is not up to snuff.

Jim

I forgot about NOE molds - yep, they're the best aluminum molds I've worked with. The two NEI molds I have are older molds - the 6.5mm 130 gr. RN literally has the boolits jump out of the mold when I open it - easiest casting mold I have.

the old Walt NEI moulds are a piece of art. I have a few myself and really like them.

I also have a new NEI and it makes a great fishing wt.

I'm hoping to buy 2-3 6 cavity Lee moulds soon, 1 for .358, 1 for .401 and one for .430.

I'll probably use the .430 the most even though I'm disappointed with their 240gr Swc design-I don't care for the lack of sharp shoulder on the meplat.

I have turned buckets of wheel weights and range lead into .358 bullets with single- and double-cavity Lees. I probably should get a six-cavity just so I can compare the quality, but I have never felt wanting with the ones that I have.

The six cavity lees have better alignment between the blocks, the one weekness of the 2 cavity lee is the alignment pins and cavity can get lead in them and then won't line up. Once you use a 6 cavity mold you won't go back.

As far as aluminum for a material, it works fine, it just won't hold up to an abusive caster. I prefer cast iron, but seldom am willing to pay the premium. Brass is the only material I don't l ike as it seems to be the pickiest of being at the right temp, doesn't work well if too cold or too hot.

I use LEE molds as door stops. About the only thing they are good at.

Accurate molds make a very good mold. You get exactly what you spec the mold. I have his alum. an brass molds. I also have some from NOE. They are just as good.

I have had mixed results from Lee moulds. It's not the metal they use, but their QC. To my mind, their main advantage is cost- but if you go through a couple of them until you find one that suits you, the cost advantage becomes moot.

I have Al mould blocks from other manufacturers and really like them, but I also really like some of my iron mould blocks too. Heat retention characteristics between the two is different, but not dramatically so. In the end I look at the mould design and how accurately its made rather than what material its made of.