4 vs 5 cavity

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  • #487952
    thomaswarren
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      Why would someone like a 4 cavity aluminum over 5 cavity aluminum? Can’t be that much temp difference between the two could there?

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    • #497425
      teemu
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        One reason is atleast for me, I use Lee pro pot and 5-cavity is so long it would be hard to fit that mold under that pot…

        #497426
        jasonfancher
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          One reason is atleast for me, I use Lee pro pot and 5-cavity is so long it would be hard to fit that mold under that pot…

          same reason i only buy 4 cavity molds.

          #497427
          thomaswarren
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            I think I have the 4-20 pot. Is the 5 cavity longer than a Lee 6 cavity?

            #497428
            johnblackwell
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              The block isn’t longer but the sprue cutter extends off the front, where Lees are to the rear.

              I have a lee 20 lb bottom pour also and several 5 cavity NOE’s and you have to hold them sideways under the spout or the cutter hits the back of the pot frame, but they will work. My next  NOE’s will be 4 cav.

              #497429
              sgt.mike
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                1Johnlb,
                I use the 4-20 Lee pot with 5 cavities mold from NOE.
                I just turn the Sprue Cutter facing to me instead of towards the pot, which is what I always have done. Just works out great for me nothing new to learn, just works.

                #497430
                Intel6
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                  I also run the Lee 4-20 and most of my NOE moulds are 4 cavity but I do have a few 5 cavity versions.  I basically run the mould under the spout at an angle from left to right and stick the sprue plate out the backside off to the right. Once I get the mould guide set right it is not too much of an issue. But honestly I will have to think hard about getting more than my normal 4 cavities in the future.

                  Neal in AZ

                  #497431
                  johnblackwell
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                    1Johnlb,
                    I use the 4-20 Lee pot with 5 cavities mold from NOE.
                    I just turn the Sprue Cutter facing to me instead of towards the pot, which is what I always have done. Just works out great for me nothing new to learn, just works.

                    I haven’t thought about that, Mike. Are you just using your gloved hand to cut the sprue? I’ll have to try it with my 5 cav 22cals.

                    #497432
                    stevendragonjr
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                      I only buy four cavity molds because the five cavity version is to long to fit in the storage boxes I use.  The four cavity molds just make it.  I live in the rust belt so keeping the molds stored properly so they don’t rust is more important than a tiny bit of added production.

                      #497433
                      georgepatton
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                        I am considering the change to a double spout for my Magma pot and need even # cavities to use it. I may not buy any more 5 cav molds with that in mind but so far prefer 5 or 6 cavity molds whenever possible.

                        #497434
                        adamsutherland
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                          Weight is an issue for my with arthritic hands, the four cavity just allows me longer at the pot and consequently I get more bullets from them per session than I do with my five cavities.

                          #497435
                          Elkins45
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                            The length is an issue, as others have stated, but so is the weight. I envision a point in the not too distant future when my four cavity MP brass molds are for sale. They sure make great bullets but after an hour my hands hurt too much to cast fast enough to keep them up to temp.

                            #497436
                            erikdorothy
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                              5 cavities were the NOE’s I started with on initial purchases, but discovered:

                              A.  They fit so snug in the space provided by my Buffalo Arms vise grip handles that overflow lead can sometime start jamming things up.  On the 4 cavities, this overflow just spills over the near side.

                              B.  I seem to be able to get 4 out of 4 with much greater frequency than 5 out of 5. 

                              #497437
                              Hugh Kuhns
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                                sgt.mike that’s a great idea. I use a electrical junction box with a hole cut in the side as a mould oven when heating it on a hotplate.With the sprue plate facing the handles the mould goes into the box the whole way. Also this way the sprue plate doesn’t come around when its opened and hit your hand holding the handles. I only use a glove on my right hand and notice very quickly when it comes the whole way around. I use a dipper to fill the mould so 5 cavity moulds work for me. :)

                                762sultan

                                #497438
                                Full.Lead.Taco
                                Keymaster
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                                  That, and those brass molds are just HEAVY…  After hours of casting, you can really tell the weight difference between a 4 cavity and a 5 cavity.

                                  #497439
                                  Mike B.
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                                    The five cavity moulds tend to fit the pot that I am using …

                                    It also tends to become a non issue if one is ladle pouring instead of bottom pouring … other than the weight of holding the mould horizontally over ones casting time frame window … in one hand and picking up and poring with the other the ladle full of lead or lead alloy as one prefers …

                                    In the for what it is worth department the NOE moulds that I have are symmetrical along with the sprue plate holes in relation to the NOE sprue plates…

                                    So if one wanted to one could potentially swap the sprue plate end to end … should one wish to do that… or simply install the mould so that the sprue plate end is closer rather than further away from one…

                                    Most other mould manufacturers do not tend to do this … the symmetrical placement of the cavities in the mould body vs the sprue plate.

                                    Also the RG moulds all tend to come in a 2 & a 4 cavity variety … however not in a three nor a 5 cavity variety…

                                    So one tends to gravitate to what ever is nearest and dearest to ones own individual ideal…  Each of the members has their own personal preference …

                                    I tend to purchase what is in stock and available at the time to feed my hungry firearms…

                                    If I don’t see it then I design it and have it custom made … & if needed hollow pointed to my design…

                                    It simply … is … what it is …

                                    Take Care, & Stay Safe …

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