NOE Iron mold possibility

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I am just wondering if anyone at NOE has tossed around the idea of making molds made out of Iron? Specifically, I would be interested in a 4 cavity one. It seems like a segment of the market that is void with the demise of ballisti-cast and nvballistics pricing themselves out of reality for me ($408.00 for a 4 cavity btw). Accurate is the only one left that I’m aware of for the semi-custom makers (Tom is technically full custom I guess). Anyone else have interest in it?

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[Hugh KuhnsParticipant]

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I can’t say I would never be interested in a iron mould but I would have to see what it could do that an aluminum mould won’t do. My arms are not what they used to be and even now with a 2 cavity aluminum mould I can’t do extended casting sessions like I used to do. A 4 or 5 cavity is out of the question. Now as far as durability an iron mould would likely outlast an aluminum one. Many years ago I began casting using Lyman, Ideal, and later Saeco and RCBS iron moulds and did pretty well. I wished for 4 cavity moulds but just could not afford them. Then a few years later along came NOE. I got one and was very impressed. After a few years I have accumulated 18 of their moulds. With a 4 cavity NOE mould you can make a lot of great bullets in no time at all. If NOE will make an iron mould that can equal an aluminum one I will take a serious look at it. For me it depends on the weight difference of iron vs aluminum.

762sultan

[matthewsaunorasParticipant]

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I really beat up my 432-265 alum when I was first learning how to cast.  I overheated it a few times and got oxidized tin in the grooves I can’t get out.  It just doesn’t make nice bullets reliably anymore.  That alone makes me wish it was iron.  I also have some trouble keeping the heat in the smaller 2 cavity aluminum molds I have.  The one 2 cav RCBS mold I have doesn’t seem to have this problem. 

[brucebrolliniParticipant]

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As i said previously on the iron mold question – I prefer them!

Only trouble is I have is I have 100-200 molds, most alum, I’m sure I’m in the 2k NOE club by now, so wouldn’t be buying many – but, go for it, they’re great!

[richardhart1]

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You can cast zinc in them ……….

I have a 4C Lyman in a long discontinued bullet . It’s about 5# empty and takes the clamshell handles . It’s hard to keep hot and heavy . My best run to date , admittedly of 4 tries , is about 60% .

The single virtue of zinc casting doesn’t come close to the offset of weight speed and count .

If we’re talking about 2-3C in small blocks with maybe Lee handles and within 10-15 bucks of the AL and about even with brass , now we’re talking .

[Author]

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