Ordering an Accurate Bullet Mold (How to)

I get asked this Question a lot. Folks aren’t exactly sure how to go about ordering, and getting what they want? A bullet mold is fairly spendy, you want to make sure and get it right, if you follow these instructions you will  

Here We Go: I copied Accurate Molds Tolerances here, and added .452 as example. Make sure you Read and understand this!

I want an "as cast" diameter as close as I can get to .452".

I have a diameter tolerance window of .002" for my molds.
When ordering a diameter such as .452", you can select:

Positive tolerance (+.002/-.000) means the diameter will be AT LEAST .452" But could be as much as .454
Negative tolerance (+.000/-.002) means the diameter will be AT MOST .452" but could be as small as .450
Centered tolerance (+/- .001) means as close as possible to .452" Could be .451, .452, .453


Positive tolerance is usually desirable for driving bands.
Negative tolerance is usually best for bore ride noses or any application where a certain diameter cannot be exceeded and a sizing die won't be used on that portion of the bullet.
Centered tolerance might be desirable when powder coating, and tapered designs.

Using "Special Notes" on the online order form, you can refine your diameter request for bore ride, body diameter, whatever, to the 4th decimal place. Ordering to the half thousandth does not ensure precision to the half thousandth, it only helps you communicate the desired diameter range within that .002" window.

My mold cavities are actually turned to +/-.0001" tolerance, but I cannot guarantee resultant casting tolerance closer than .002" because of casting variables such as pour technique and temperature, mold block temperature, purity of alloy, etc.

When you get to the Tolerance Part, you Put the Diameter in that you KNOW you need to have. There is a “Drop down“ Bar next to that, When Click on it, you will see the 3 options. The Top option is PLUS Tolerance, the middle option is CENTERED Tolerance, and the Bottom option is NEGATIVE Tolerance

For example: Here you can see i am ordering .452 Diameter, using the PLUS Tolerance Option

When you are ordering a mold for paper patched bullets, how much smaller than the bore size does the bullet need to be to accommodate the paper patch?

George_Kelley wrote:When you are ordering a mold for paper patched bullets, how much smaller than the bore size does the bullet need to be to accommodate the paper patch?

Good question It depends on your Paper thickness? And of course your Bore Diameter. Lets say you have a .45 Cal With a Bore Diameter of .451, and your paper is .002 single, When you double the paper (2 Wraps) it will ad a total of .008 to the Bullet, So you would need a Bullet that is .442 Diameter, When you patch that .442 Bullet with your .002 (single) Paper it will end up .450, Which is IDEAL for a .451 Bore Remember, it is a Paper Jacket, they MUST load easy or you Risk damaging the Paper Jacket

Thanks much!

That clears up alot of the mystery for me.

Lewis when you order molds and it asks for body size how do you order yours, I ordered 2 today and spaced it, I think I put my bore size there, wish I’d have asked before I submitted my order, the 50-435M mold I put .495” because that was the bore size and the 54-510M I put .535” same reason was this right, wrong or indifferent? Thanks

Was looking at Accurate molds tonight and see options for material the molds are made from. Which material is better to go with, or should I say start with?

Roblynch wrote:Was looking at Accurate molds tonight and see options for material the molds are made from. Which material is better to go with,  or should I say start with?

Go with a Steel (iron) Mold, they will last a Lifetime and then some, I can’t say that same thing about Aluminum, or Brass, You can BADLY Damage the Top of the Mold Blocks of Aluminum and Brass Molds by Galling. Pay the price for Steel (iron) and enjoy the Mold as long as you Live I have finally sold off my Aluminum Molds and Replaced them with Steel, I won’t buy an Aluminum or Brass Mold ever again.

Thank you for the reply. Now to get my dimensions in order.

Roblynch wrote:Thank you for the reply. Now to get my dimensions in order.

If you have any questions, need any help? Just shout

I appreciate that as I am still green at this.

I too need a lot to learn so paper patch bullets keep from leading?