Looking for molds for a .50 Texan

[Steelhead707]

I just purchased a standard length Texan .50 and I'm looking to get one or two molds for bullets. I already own a .308 Texan with lord knows how many molds (I think I have 8) and I want to keep the .50 narrowed down a bit to a 'small' and a 'big'. I learned a ton with the .308, especially what works, what doesn't, and what is just acceptable. The scary part is that a lot of 'what doesn't' and 'just acceptable' are the molds that were the most used and/or recommended by other shooters. I ended up with a couple of awesome shooting bullets based on the results of all of the above, but much different it seems than what others are using. But I digress....

Not having any experience with .50 caliber I'm starting at square one. I would appreciate any feedback from Texan .50 owners on what you've found that worked, especially after trying different stuff. I don't want to be a pelican (sit on a piling waiting for others to tell me where the fish are), but I also don't want to spends hundreds and hundreds of dollars just to create a process of elimination. Karma-wise, I did a LOT of work on the .308 that I shared with everyone to help them along with their journey and hopefully someone will throw me a bone and do the same thing.

Curious about:

What bullets molds work well.

What molds do NOT work well

What dimension are you sizing your bullets to

Thanks in advance for your advice. I will share all of my results in the coming months. 

 

[Hgb7862]

I currently own the .457 it was the original one, have had it modified new trx2 valve carbon tank and cut it off to be the carbine,,I have on order the .50 cal, have already purchased slugs for it from Nielson I believe 388 gr. Or 380 can't remember. I am very curios as well, was thinking a slug more like 285. Good luck with your .50 will enjoy seeing what comes from this thread.

 

[mercado]

Ebay almost always has bullet molds in .50 for now until every body purchasing a texan decides to cast..n then price skyrockets..most of my molds are from Ebay..many of the molds available have been discontinued fo more than 25 years..but there a many different designs n weights ..

 

[SqrlHntr]

Check with African Air Ordinance. He makes quality molds of all types and parts for Texans and others. 
Jeremy is also quick to respond with any questions. 

http://www.africanairordnance.com/424820687/category/618414/pellet-molds

 

[Steelhead707]

What I was hoping is that someone has actually used some bullet type/molds to limit my expenses. What I found with the .308 is that what 'everyone' recommended was only so-so (150 gr.) and I found that lighter bullets performed the best. 

African Air Ordnance is off the table as a) the molds are $250.00+, and b) shipping costs add a ton. 

I found some molds that I like that are similar in style/shape to what worked in the .308. It's probably the best thing to go off of now.

 

[CaptKeith]

I have a .457 Texan, and am going through the same exercise. Unfortunately, I seem to be collecting moulds that give me mediocre performance. I really haven’t found a good one yet, and I want to make my bullets, not buy them!

 

[BackStop]

I have no dog in this fight, but maybe you guys need to look into making your own molds or custom molds? I know there are companies that make custom molds for PB bullets. Perhaps they could make a mold for airgun slugs?

Just a thought. Of course, you will/may have to be able to design a slug that works in your airgun...

OK, I'll just duck back into the shadows...

 

[Loren]

CaptKeith,

I have had good results with these bullets in my .457.

https://noebulletmolds.com/site/shop/458-460/460-315-rf-av3/460-315-rf-rg4-cavity-gc/

http://arsenalmolds.com/bullet-molds?product_id=202&limit=100

I have this one on the shelf and have not had time to try it yet, but other Texan shooters have reported good results.

https://noebulletmolds.com/site/shop/458-460/htc459-300-rf-cb5/htc459-300-rf-cb5-rg4-cavity-gc/



Kevin, Have you looked at this mold? At 310gr it would probably give FPS in the high 900's and give some adjustment downward.

http://arsenalmolds.com/bullet-molds?product_id=68&limit=100

Did you see this on AF website?

Accurate Molds I think has the biggest selection of mold options in .510 cal. It is a tough go trying to find that one sweet shooting bullet.

 

[Steelhead707]

I DID see that and I'm in the process of ordering a mold from Accurate. Just deciding on the exact one or ones. I'm thinking about a two-cavity mold with two different bullets. It will help to narrow down what works and what doesn't.

 

[Steelhead707]

Bullet Design Details | Accurate Molds

I bought the above mold. We were thinking the same thing on weight, Loren. Your thoughts and opinions are based more on data and science, and mine is based more what I saw from the thousands of shots I put through the .308 Texan. I know I've posted it before, but I found that the best bullets were on the small side (110 to 115 gr.), had flat nose, and had lube rings. Since the .50 and the .308 share a lot of the same stuff since they're both Texan Standards why not start with something in the style/range that worked best for me? 

The Arsenal links you shared showed bullets that are more conical. Those definitely did not shoot as well FOR ME in the .308, but they're the hot ticket in .257. Go figure. 

We'll see. The proof is on the paper, not the computer monitor or the chalk board. Hopefully I find a good one that shoots well.

 

[mercado]

Unless the person is a hunter...I can't see many people buying a 50 cal for the fun...n many dont like to cast that why many reviews are using Nielsen slugs...a bullet that works for you not necessarily work on mine..is a barely new rifle so it will take time for casters to have a hold for what works...if ther are people willing to play with that thing...me as many stop at 457 . N I sold mine I don't hunt.. I could shoot 3 time in 308 with 457 lead n 4 with a 50 cal lead..I have 3.000 pound of lead..I don't have a problem having a 50..it makes no sense to me for plinking.