Lyman molds specifically made for Freedom Arms

[Humbo]

Good day!
A while back it came to my attention that Lyman sold a couple of molds specifically made for the Freedom Arms .454 Casull. Does anyone want to share any expersiences with them? One of them was similar to the 300 grains LBT LFN, the other one was a 265 grain (also read 250 somewhere) truncated cone, both fitted for gas checks. I'm a sucker for new molds that suit my FAs nicely, so I was thinking I should try to acquire both of them, if possible. Does anyone have the mold numbers and/or pictures of bullets cast with any of those molds?

Thanks, and have a nice day!

[Graybeard]

Not sure it was made for the FA but the 452651 is kinda sorta more or less like an LBT but not really either. It's one of my favorites and has two crimp grooves. Drops at 325 supposedly but from my allow around 318.

[HHI 812]

The 255 grain GC is 454628, and the 300 grain is 454629. I've had several of them in the past, but preferred the performance of the 300 grainer, and sold the lighter weight molds. I only have one 454629 mold left, which gets the most use. I do have a 345 grainer that I designed in the shorter FA cylinder platform, with a bigger meplat. I sent some to Graybeard to try a long time ago. Been corresponding with Lynn Thompson of Cold Steel knives founder, and he should be loading some now as I'm typing. The 454629 is a good one!
Dennis

[Lloyd Smale]

ive got both and like was said the heavier one shoots better then the lighter one but niether has shot as well as some other bullet designs.

[Humbo]

Thanks for the info everyone. Now I have the mold numbers, which should make it easier to track them down if there are any for sale. I have a 300 grain LBT LFN which shoots extremely well in my 83, and I'm also waiting for Veral alt LBT to cut me a 250 WFN for my 97. The RCBS 300 SWCGC was also a good mold, but I had to get rid of it because it cast extremely oversized bullets. Now I'm just waiting for the replacement.

@Lloyd, if you want to sell your two FA Lyman molds, I'll give you a good price for them.

@Graybeard, the 452651 seems to be a good design, I once owned it. But it was totally out of round and cast undersized bullets, so I sold it cheap. Just got the replacement the other day, going to check it out today. It should make an excellent heavy bullet for my 97.

[Graybeard]

I have two of the 452651 two cavity moulds and both are excellent and throw good round bullets that have always shot well in any gun I've owned chambered to .45 Colt or .454 Casull. I no longer own such a gun but likely will again one day.

[HHI 812]

Hey Lloyd, Dennis here! Which bullet shot better in your FA 454? I finally was able to get me a used FA 454 last week. Was without one since I got laid off several years ago, and really missed it. I know I probably could have saved a little bit more to get a 475 or 50 something, but was always a nut for the quality of a FA and do like the 45 caliber. This one I got does have the biggest cylinder throats I ever had of any of the FA's I've had at .453". Looking to a good accurate cast bullet. My FA 300 GC bullet might be too small in diameter, and my 345 GC might be a little small also? Will have to see how they shoot. Curious what you got since you shoot a LOT!!!! Trying to keep things simple, so want to find one bullet, one load, and something I can practice with a lot without having to wear me out, yet good for our Alaskan game. Oh yah, I got a 7 1/2" barrel.
Thanks,
Dennis
e-mail at dennis.madriaga@gmail.com

[Humbo]

Dennis, ask Veral over at LBTmoulds to cut you a 300 grain LFN with a .4 inch nose. This is the bullet that works best in my FA's. A cheaper mold that also shoots very well in most guns is the RCBS 300 SWCGC, if you're lucky they make it a little oversize. As mentioned above by Graybeard, the Lyman #452651 also is a great shooter, if Lyman do their part on cutting it to specs. All three should work nicely on game as well.

[Graybeard]

I used that Lyman 452651 dropping at 318 grains with my alloy at 1550 fps from the FA83 7.5" while I had it on loan from Bob. I think the load was 32 grains of W296/H110 but I'm going on memory and that's NOT a load recommendation. Check the load manuals to be sure. It was super accurate and worked well. It became by go to load for that gun and were I to get another it still would be.

[Lloyd Smale]

the molds arent for sale and were given to me by a good friend. My hands down favorite 45 heavy is the rcbs 300 swcgc. Ive yet to find a 45 that didnt shoot it well and it flys well at long range. another one is the ballistic cast 320 lfngc.