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Nobody uses Lyman steel molds? We have maybe 35 or 40 Lymans and only two Lees. The Lees are aluminum and get hot too fast for us so they don't really get used. Too hot for too long = frosting, but with the steel molds we can switch out far less often. Is there something about aluminum molds I don't understand, or does Lee make steel molds too? I don't think I've seen any.
SP
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I have a whole slew of Lyman steel molds and they're fantastic (the ones my father gave to me).
My decision to go to aluminum was really a financial decision. Since I'm really new to reloading, I didn't want to sink tons of cash into something I wasn't sure was going to be a truly passionate hobby (which, it is quickly becoming so).
However, I've seen no difference between the quality of bullets between the aluminum and the iron molds (frosting, folding, etc.). Last weekend, I cast about 2,000 9 mm, and about 500 .45 ACP - again, no difference between them.
What I DO like about the aluminum blocks is that I can preheat the aluminum mold in about 5 seconds with a MAPP torch... The first 2-3 sets of bullets go right back into the pot, but after that, they all come out shiney and perfect. With the steel blocks, it takes much longer to preheat them, and I still end up tossing the first 5 or 6 sets that come out of it (too much folding for my likings) until it's at the optimum temperature.
Also, if I need to take a break while casting, I can reheat my aluminum mold in a few seconds, but I have to start over with the steel mold.
So far though, I've actually had better luck with my aluminum pistol loads than the steel block molds.
The again, I'm a rookie still, so...
Rick