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Question about choice of first mold

4.1K views 11 replies 10 participants last post by  swampdoc  
#1 ·
hello everyone, Im just starting out to cast bullets for my .50 muzzleloader. Ive got about 130lbs of roof lead waiting to get cast. Im thinking of getting this mold for my first one: Lee 1-Cavity Improved Minie Ball Bullet Mold 500-360M (500 Diameter) 360 Grain


I was looking for a hollowpoint mold but I cant seem to find any, they all look to be a hollow bottom mold? am i just looking at it upside down?

anyways thanks and HI from Grand Junction Colorado!!
 
#4 ·
is this an inline or traditional ML?
if it is a traditional you might be better off with a round ball.

by design Minnie's are hollow base bullets. they are supposed to be a little undersized to load easy, when fired the base expands to fill the grooves & form a gas seal.
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#8 ·
That Lee mold does have the pin at the bottom.
I've used that bullet for years in my ML (which is traditional). The Minie ball is easy to load- easier than either a roundball or any of the other conicals I've tried, and the Minie is quite accurate, too.
I agree with the others that a hollow point isn't needed- big hole in, big hole out.
I have only shot deer with mine, and have never recovered a bullet. Never had to shoot twice, or chase a deer, either.