Here's a link to a group buy on castboolits for a couple molds I've been hashing over for about a year now !
Yes I already have Mountain Molds mold's for 433-375 and 433-400 . I just wanted to try a Ranch Dog style as well !
I am also thinking about an LBT in these weights if Veral will cut it ;)
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I own the two “current” 44 Ranch Dog molds, they work well for me. You might want to check: http://www.ranchdogmolds.com/ I think Michael is doing the 44 - 350 this month. $65 for a custom 6 C mold is a bargan price.
Jerry
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I already have the RD 432-350GC !
I got one of the original test molds , as well as a NOE copy in a 6 cavity and a NOE copy for a single cavity HP .
The object here is to go as big as possible for the rifling .
The 400 grainer will work in the fast twist ballard barrels and the 375 will work in the slower twist Micro barrels .
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Dear 6 point Sika you inoculated me with the 444 bug ,
blame on you!
I got a new fast twist 444 marlin,and have joined the ranch dog group buy for the 350 444 bullet.
Next week I'll begin to experiment wit a starving 430 210 grain Lee bullet.
I was thinking of a 400 grain tumble lube 6 cavity mould from Lee as perfect for a 444 with the recent 1-20twist,but Ranch Dog does not likes the project,
I could surely get a 400 grain four cavty mould from Veral Smith,but I do not know if he makes tumble lube moulds,and of course,his very high quality cavity moulds are not cheap.
I am studying your posts on 1-20 twist and heavy bullets.Keep up your most interesting experiments.
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Sorry,the Lee bullet of mine is 310 grain gas check,decent weight ,but undenourished at .430 dia.
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Sorry,the Lee bullet of mine is 310 grain gas check,decent weight ,but undenourished at .430 dia.
That Lee 310 grainer shoots very well in a couple of my older 444's !
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Dear 6 point Sika you inoculated me with the 444 bug ,
blame on you!
I was thinking of a 400 grain tumble lube 6 cavity mould from Lee as perfect for a 444 with the recent 1-20twist,but Ranch Dog does not likes the project,
I could surely get a 400 grain four cavty mould from Veral Smith,but I do not know if he makes tumble lube moulds,and of course,his very high quality cavity moulds are not cheap.
I am studying your posts on 1-20 twist and heavy bullets.Keep up your most interesting experiments.
I already have a 400 grainer that was made by Mountain Molds !
This is a sorta copy of one my friend in Sweden had MM cut about 2 years ago .
The 400 grain Ranch Dog style I am trying to have made is only like the RD in the nose portion , the lbes are of convetional style . Although I “think” this should be a decent shooter in my 2001 baalrd barreled rifle .
As to LBT I am in the process of talking to Veral about making a 375 and 400 for me in his style . I do not think he does TL grooves . But he seems up for doing what I asked !
I expect to have 375's and 400's from Mountain Molds , BRP and LBT as well as HP's of both of the BRP molds !
These and a few others I have on the way should keep me occupied for another couple years deer and paper wise !
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I was thinking of a 400 grain tumble lube 6 cavity mould from Lee as perfect for a 444 with the recent 1-20twist,but Ranch Dog does not likes the project,
I could surely get a 400 grain four cavty mould from Veral Smith,but I do not know if he makes tumble lube moulds,and of course,his very high quality cavity moulds are not cheap.
I am studying your posts on 1-20 twist and heavy bullets.Keep up your most interesting experiments.
I already have a 433-400GC mold from Mountain Molds that shoots pretty well !
Since the earlier posts I decided to go ahead with LBT molds at 433-375GC and 433-400GC . Hopefully I'll have them sometime in june !
Now all thats left for me to add are the 375 and 400 grainers with the Ranch Dog style nose . And of course both weights in a HP .
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BRP has the cherries done for the RD version 432-375GC and 432-400GC . He tells me he should cut them by early next week . If all goes well I think I may have them both by the end of the month !
I've kinda given up on the HP of these although I may go back to BRP later and have a couple cut !
On a side note he's cutting me a 462-465GC 2c as well , that one will be a blast B)
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Giorgio ,
The LBT 433-375GC and 433-400GC have been in my possesion for about a month now . The 375 grainer has done very well in my older slow twist barrels . Just like the Mountain Molds 433-375GC and the NEI 429-350GC (actually drops at 370 grains) before it !
The Mountain Molds 433-400GC I have works okay in my faster twist ballard rifled 444 . But since I have that gun in the shop be restocked I haven't had a chance to try the LBT 433-400GC . But to be totally honest I see no reason this bullet won't be satisfactory for my purposes just Like the MM mold .
While most folks don't have ANY need for 375 or 400 grain molds for their 444 and I don't either for that matter . It has been fun fooling with them so far !
The BRP 432-375 with a HP should be about 350-360 grains , that should be kinda intresting at a later date . And the BRP 432-400 with a HP just might get it down to 375 or 380 grains so that just might make it acceptable for the slow twist Micro barrels as well !
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I've had the BRP RD styel 432-375GC and 432-400GC molds for a bit over a week now !
I've cast about 75 of each weight but haven't had a chance to rum them thru my Lyman 4500 !
Hopefully I can get this taken care of soon !
As I have a new rifle coming that will be good for the 375 grainer and my 2001 rifle has come to terms with the other two 400 grain molds and is now ready for this one .
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Got out and shot both the BRP/RD 432-375GC and the BRP/RD 432-400GC today for the first time !
Let me just say they BOTH show great possibilities !
Only shot them at 50 yards but both are already good enough for hunting .
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Well here they are my two Mutants cut by BRP with a Ranch Dog style nose . Cast from straight wheelweights and waterquenched then sized at .432” !
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Here are pics of the pair of BRP molds that I cast the Ranch Dog style 432-375GC and 432-400GC !
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bruce does some dang nice molds. also a f.y.i. michael is opening ranch dog again and has a few molds available right now.
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michael is opening ranch dog again and has a few molds available right now.
Yes he does !
He told me a month or so ago that it was his intention to reopen and only sell 6 cavity molds . I think he plans on keeping the .311 , .359 , .432 and .460 molds in stock . Thats not to say he might not run some of the others like the .379 molds or .454 but I think he plans on spending most of his time with the more mainstream calibers .
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Went to the range today to test some loads !
And had some fimalization to do with the new BRP/RD bullets .
Well I've already finalized a load with the new BRP Ranch Dog syle 432-400GC with 37 grain of RL-7 in my 2001 rifle . Load shot very nicely at 100 yards for me today !
The BRP/RD 432-375GC was looking good with both 43 grains of RL-7 and 45 grains of H322 . But at 100 yards it looks as if 45 grains of H322 will be the way to go !
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I was out a couple weeks ago with the 2001 Marlin shooting the BRP/RD 432-400GC at 100 yards !
And I was consistently getting 1 1/2” 3 shot groups . While that isn't benchrest accuracy I think that is plenty good for a heavy cast bullet stopper !
A week or so before that I was shooting one of the older 444's with the BRP/RD 432-375GC and if my memory serves that one was shooting less then 1 1/2” at 100 for 3 shots with a Weaver K3 on top !
To same I'm pleased with the bullets and the molds Bruce at BRP made for me would be a mild UNDERSTATEMENT !
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Now all thats left for me is to decide whether I really want both of these in HP versions !
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Here's the CANNON for shooting the 400 grainers !
These are “before pictures” , meaning before I had it restocked and put the Redfield 3-9 Revolution on top !
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FWIW , my CANNON likes the BRP/RD 432-400GC very well and I have it sighted in with that bullet at the moment !
The CANNON also likes my Mountain Molds 433-400GC as well .
It likes the LBT 433-400GC also on paper but is giving me troubles at the moment trying to get it to chamber smoothly . I've kinda set that aside for now and will eventually get that ironed out as well ;)
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Two pics of the Cannon with the new Redfield Evolution 3-9 scope I put on it after the old Weaver was trashed !
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6pt, could you drop any hints about designing and loading the heavies in a an older MG barrel. I'd like to consider something soon but must keep it research for now as a mould is not in the budget. I just bought a LE No5 Mk1 to tool up for.
With something around 350 using Veral's formula for power a 1600 fps load would be impressive for my shorter range needs, 100m or less. It just seems that most guys have to step on the heavy 444 bullets when shooting through the MG twist barrels. I know you've had some good success in this area.
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The most cost efficient way to go is contact Ranch Dog at ,
And order one of his 432-350GC molds !
He has Lee make them and his cost to you is $60 plus shipping . So I would “assume” going to you in Canada a $80 tops .
I am a true believer in H322 for “most” of my 444 cast bullet needs . And I typically push them pretty well .
To get the RD 432-350GC to shoot in my slower twist Micro barrels I needed to water quench the wheelweight alloy bullets . My max load for the RD432-300GC is 48 grains I think and if my memory serves I am loading the RD 432-350GC with about 46 or 47 grains of H322 .
Now on a secondary note , IMR8208 was not available when I messed with these bullets to begin with . And with the RD 432-265GC I am now getting slightly better groups with IMR8208 then I was with H322 . That may just be in one rifle I don't know yet !
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Bob I think a fellow would be hard pressed to be better covered with a 444 then to get the three Ranch Dog molds 432-265 , 432-300 and 432-350 !
And in actuality most don't have any need for more then the 265 and 300 !
Although that 350 is a heck of a good bullet as is my BRp rendition in 432-375 . Again a bullet that most folks have no normal need or use for . But me being me I wanted to try . And of course all that can be said for ALL of the 400 grainers .
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Bob , check out these three links , they are all most folks will ever need in bullet molds for a 444 !
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Bob , should RD"s 265 , 300 and 350 grainers not be enough for you !
Here's a link to BRP that'll show you the two heavies I had him make with the RD nose in 375 and 400 grains !
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Oh yeah before some wise guy accuses me of getting profit .
I recieve nothing from the sale of Ranch Dog or BRP molds !
I do it because I happen to like both their products .
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Bob , I just sent off a Postal MO to BRP for a two cavity HP mold . One will be for the 432-375 and the other will be for the 432-400 . No more HP's then I'll shoot a single cavity for both should be plenty !
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Bruce sent me an email last night telling me my mold was already in the mail !
So I have my fingers crossed that it'll be here friday or saturday !
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Here's the double HP mold of the two mutants !
And there it is !
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Cast product although the 400 grainer I took nose pics of could have filled out better ! Need to choose more closely next time :wink:
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wow! that is a mean looking bullet bro! I think that would be a great black bear and deer load!
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I weighed a couple of each bullet as they dropped !
The 432-375GC HP weighs approx 360 grains and the 432-400GC HP weighs approx 387 grains .
Now here are a couple pics of both beside there FP versions !
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:coffee
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:coffee
Sorry , but I'm of no help in saying NO !
I've got TWO DOZEN rifles chambered for the round at the Contender you sent me the forend for .>
And the funny thing is the 444 isn't really my favourite cartridge , but I sure enjoy shooting cast in them !
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Just finished loading some of the HP's for a range trip on monday !
Loaded the 432-375GC HP with 45 grains of H322 . Only loaded 10 of these .
With the 432-400GC HP I loaded 10 with 37 grains of RL-7 and 10 with 43 grains of Varget . While this bullet is intended for my faster twist ballard rifled 444 I plan on shooting 3 of each at 100 yards in my 1968 slow twist Micro rifle .
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Went to the range after 5 PM today and tried the new HP bullets !
The slow twist Micro Barrel of the 1968 rifle liked the 375 with the HP . It shot 3 at 100 in about 2” . Not bad for the first time out the box ! The slow twist rifle however does not like 390 grain bullets as thats what the BRP/RD 432-400GC HP weighs . It keyholed the rounds with 37 grains of RL-7 as well as the 43 grains of Varget rounds .
My circa 2001 fast twist Ballard 444 liked the BRP/RD 432-400GC HP rather well with Varget . The first group with 37 of RL-7 was not much as was the second group . When I switched over to 43 grains of Varget the first group measured .865” and the second group with that load opened an inch when I pulled the third shot .
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I pulled the Leupold 6.5-20x off the 1968 rifle and mounted a new to me Weaver KV and bore sighted it earlier tonight !
Then I loaded 15 rounds of the LBT 433-340GC with 45 grains of RL-7 . I wanna sight the rifle in with this load !
Then I have some more of the BRP/RD 432-375GC HP I wanna try . I loaded three rounds for each load I am listing .
RL-7, 39 grains RL-7, 40 grains RL-7 ,41 grains
Varget , 43 grains Varget ,44 grains Varget , 45 grains
If one of those doesn't look very good I'll go back to H322 , IMR8208 and possibly H335 .
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Probably shudda left the big Leupold on the 1968 rifle , but I got this Weaver KV yesterday . SO I mounted it last night and have it bore sighted and ready for the range today or tommorrow !
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Took the 1968 rifle out to the range today with a new to me Weaver KV on top !
SIghted the 1968 rifle in with the LBT 433-340GC pushed with 45 grains of RL-7 . Then I moved on to the BRP/RD 432-375GC HP . Rifle really liked 39 and 40 grains of RL-7 . But 41 didn't do so well ! 43 and 44 grains of Varget weren't to great either but 45 grains looked pretty decent ! Next trip I'll try 39 and 40 of RL-7 again as well as 45 and 46 grains of Varget !
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Just finished loading some more of the BRP/RD 432-375GC HP . Loaded 3 with each of the following charges 39 grains RL-7 , 40 grains RL-7 , 43 grains H322 and 44 grains H322 . Also loaded some more of the LBT 433-340GC with 45 grains of Rl-7 to shoot for fun !
Perhaps I can hit the range thursday afternoon or friday morning !
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Took my 1968 rifle out again this evening after dinner and tried the BRP/RD 432-375 GC HP some more !
Rifle liked 40 grains of RL-7 and 44 grains of H322 pretty well . Wanna try both of them some more and some more Varget loads since I got two pounds of it today !
The 1968 rifle and my 22-250AI cooling the barrels near the end of my session !
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Cast 100 of the BRP/RD 432-375GC HP's and 96 of the BRP/RD 432-400GC HP's !
BRP/RD 432-400GC HP
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Just swapped the Weaver KV for a Weaver K8 on my 1968 rifle !
Now after dinner I'll see if I can't get enough bullets lube/sized to load three rounds of each of the following plus 6-10 fir sight in purposes .
Varget , 42, 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 grains
RL-7 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 grains
H322 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 grains
IMR8208 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 grains
Hopefully a couple of these will be 1 1/2” or better for 3 at 100 yards !
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Alright I've got the Weaver KV back on top the 1968 rifle and I have 15 rounds loaded up with the BRP/RD 432-375GC HP pushed with 44 grains of IMR8208 and lit with a CCI200 primer !
Think that'll be my hunting load with this rifle !
Now I need to get to the range and sight it in again !
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hey nice 22-250 bro! lol I love the looks of the hollow points!
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Beautiful pics. Some bullets seem to have lids on them. Supposed to carry extra water in them? Rifle is gorgeous, BTW at 433 what is the shank on them.
Charlie
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BTW at 433 what is the shank on them.
To be honest I've never measured anything other then the as cast diameter and the as cast weight .
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hey nice 22-250 bro! lol
I'm gonna say something about that 22-250AI and I know it's gonna sound like I'm bragging but I think it's more of a fluke then anything .
But I shot a 3 shot group with that one at 100 yards using the no longer made Nosler 50 grain Solid Base bullet and 41 grains of RL-15 that measured .054” !
I am quite sure I will never equal or better that with this rifle or any other I ever shoot the rest of my life !
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Can't decide whether to start the DCP season for bear with the BRP/RD 432-400GC , BRP/RD 432-375GC or the BRP/RD 432-375GC HP !
I am thinking I may go with the 400 grainer for startes as I've never carried my circa 2001 Marlin 444 hunting yet !
Plus the fact that I have a BRP/RD 432-400GC HP for that one as well as 400 grainers from LBT and MM's !
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I can hardly wait for the story bro whatever you pick I wish you all the best luck this year my friend!
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Here's the status of my heavy bullets to date !
MM 433-375GC killed a sow bear in DCP season 2010
LBT 433-375GC killed a doe whitetail in 2011
BRP/RD 432-375GC killed doe whitetail in 2011
BRP/RD 432-375GC HP nothing yet
NEI 429-350GC (weighs about 370 grains) nothing yet
MM 433-400GC nothing yet
LBT 433-400GC nothing yet
BRP/RD 432-400GC killed a 3 point buck 2011
BRP/RD 432-400GC HP nothing yet
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Both the BRP/RD 432-375GC and 432-400GC did very nicely on deer this season as can be said for the LBT 433-375GC . But then as is often said how hard is it to kill a deer !
The MM 433-375GC did very nicely last season to brain a bear at 9 1/2 yards but again a black bear that not frightened isn't that hard to kill either .
I have unblooded rifles set up with the BRP/RD 432-375GC HP and the NEI 429-350GC that actually weighs about 370 grains .
My 2001 rifle is now sighted in with the MM 433-400GC but I doubt it will be used again this season as I'd rather blood rifles that have not killed yet rather then use this one with different bullets !
However next season the 2001 rifle will be back at the head of the list . After the MM bullet it will most likely go to the LBT 433-400GC and then the BRP/RD 432-400GC .
Once I'm done trying each one of these on a deer or bear I'm not sertain what my plan will be , but you can bet I'll come up with something else by then ;)
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Both the BRP/RD 432-375GC and 432-400GC did very nicely on deer this season as can be said for the LBT 433-375GC . But then as is often said how hard is it to kill a deer !
The MM 433-375GC did very nicely last season to brain a bear at 9 1/2 yards but again a black bear that not frightened isn't that hard to kill either .
I have unblooded rifles set up with the BRP/RD 432-375GC HP and the NEI 429-350GC that actually weighs about 370 grains .
My 2001 rifle is now sighted in with the MM 433-400GC but I doubt it will be used again this season as I'd rather blood rifles that have not killed yet rather then use this one with different bullets !
However next season the 2001 rifle will be back at the head of the list . After the MM bullet it will most likely go to the LBT 433-400GC and then the BRP/RD 432-400GC .
Once I'm done trying each one of these on a deer or bear I'm not sertain what my plan will be , but you can bet I'll come up with something else by then ;)
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