Thread: Moulds/sizers for 577/450 Martini Henry

Hi guys,

Stuck looking for a mould for my 577/450, slugged the bore and got .465" but I'm having trouble getting the right size moulds. Cast bullets in Oz has a 468 mould but they aren't shipping at the moment (and is horrendously expensive), I see that reloaders has a 476 mould and maybe this could be sized down? Haven't done much casting before so help would be appreciated.

Cheers

Martini Henry Bores are choked.

Buy that expensive CBE mold if you are serious about shooting plain lead bullets, 476 seems pretty large but might be worth a go.

For interests sake,I never size my MH bullets and cast them hard as I can.I usually seat them well out in the neck so they engage the rifling quicker .

Originally Posted by Parabellum

Hi guys,

Stuck looking for a mould for my 577/450, slugged the bore and got .465" but I'm having trouble getting the right size moulds. Cast bullets in Oz has a 468 mould but they aren't shipping at the moment (and is horrendously expensive), I see that reloaders has a 476 mould and maybe this could be sized down? Haven't done much casting before so help would be appreciated.

Cheers

You need the mould to cast no more than .003" to 004" over groove diameter any bigger puts too much stress on the lube sizer and the bullet
The Lee .476 I have used and it is not up to it piece of junk really, try Accurate Molds in the USA I have just ordered a mould from them no mention
of shipping problems, They probably have what you need in their catalog, Another option is to paper patch .458" cast bullets; I think the 577/450 did have paper patched
bullets available.

Lee make 457 moulds that seem to work fine as cast in my 2 martinis. Buy some from shooter nz and try them before committing and yes the original rounds were paper patched and the bore has an enormous tapered leade. Paper patching is quite easy there are plenty of utube videos on it but a bit tricky on a grooved bullet,

I forgot to add that paper masking tape makes an excellent easy to use patching material no need to dampen it and have shrinkage hold it to the bullet

I have been with the British Militaria site https://tinyurl.com/yxjooj3v for some years and obtained much assistance and guidance. One such piece of guidance when I started casting Black Powder projectiles for MH,Snider and MLE was to buy my Martini Henry mould from Martyn Robinson (X-ring services) , in the USA. His specialty is obsolete British Military and sporting calibers.

It was from Martyn that i obtained my Martini Henry mould (among others) and have found the service, product and delivery are all prompt, excellent and trouble free. email address xringservices@yahoo.com

Originally Posted by shooternz

You need the mould to cast no more than .003" to 004" over groove diameter any bigger puts too much stress on the lube sizer and the bullet
The Lee .476 I have used and it is not up to it piece of junk really, try Accurate Molds in the USA I have just ordered a mould from them no mention
of shipping problems, They probably have what you need in their catalog, Another option is to paper patch .458" cast bullets; I think the 577/450 did have paper patched
bullets available.

Might try those accurate moulds, seem like they might do the trick.

Originally Posted by Kiwi Sapper

I have been with the British Militaria site https://tinyurl.com/yxjooj3v for some years and obtained much assistance and guidance. One such piece of guidance when I started casting Black Powder projectiles for MH,Snider and MLE was to buy my Martini Henry mould from Martyn Robinson (X-ring services) , in the USA. His specialty is obsolete British Military and sporting calibers.

It was from Martyn that i obtained my Martini Henry mould (among others) and have found the service, product and delivery are all prompt, excellent and trouble free. email address xringservices@yahoo.com

Any idea what he charges for moulds?

Originally Posted by Parabellum

Any idea what he charges for moulds?

The following is from his price list when I last purchased in June 2019....Moulds are US$89.50 each, & will accept either Lee 'Commercial' or RCBS handles.

Bullet Moulds (Single Cavity Aluminum Blocks)


#45-505XR .577/.450 smooth-sided .458" diameter 505gn bullet, paper patches to .468"-.472" diameter.
#46-410XR .577/.450 carbine version of the paper patch bullet, .458” diameter & 410gns.
#47-475XR .577/.450 grease grooved .470" diameter 475gn bullet, for use as-cast or sized.
#47-410XR .577/.450 carbine version of the grease grooved bullet, .470” diameter & 410gns.

The all up cost to me, then, for one mould was US$170.86

I have some of those moulds
Excellent

Originally Posted by Parabellum

Any idea what he charges for moulds?

P.S.
The only casting experience I had before making my first set from Martyn's mould was as a third former at Avondale College Auckland.
When i showed the results to a long time black shooter he wouldn't believe that i had cast them. Finally did when I showed him the pot/ moulds/ etc and then said I should be selling them. B4 asking, I'm not interested.

But I can send you a couple,#47-475XR .577/.450 grease grooved .470" diameter 475gn bullet, gratis if you wish.

I got to work with an interesting couple moulds the last couple of days

[ATTACH]

Originally Posted by Kiwi Sapper

P.S.
The only casting experience I had before making my first set from Martyn's mould was as a third former at Avondale College Auckland.
When i showed the results to a long time black shooter he wouldn't believe that i had cast them. Finally did when I showed him the pot/ moulds/ etc and then said I should be selling them. B4 asking, I'm not interested.

But I can send you a couple,#47-475XR .577/.450 grease grooved .470" diameter 475gn bullet, gratis if you wish.

Thanks for the offer kiwi sapper, just brought a #47 mould off Martyn so should be sorted now 👍

Originally Posted by Parabellum

Thanks for the offer kiwi sapper, just brought a #47 mould off Martyn so should be sorted now 

Well done.............Just remember that if you melt down lead collected from vehicle hubs , church roofs, old plumbing pipes, range pickups, the results may vary. I have always used the reloaders Lyman ingots and never had any problems..................just saying.:>)

@Kiwi Sapper
I have the same 475XR mould. Have done 1 round of casting with some loads. Struggling to get to hit target.
Care to share your casting composition? Mine was just lead I believe.