Hello to All. I am a little new to casting but picking it up quick.
I have a .500 S&W and I am going to use the Lee Bullet Mold C501-440-RF 501 Diameter 440 Grain Round Nose Flat Point
I have found that Hornady Gas Checks 50 Caliber will work for these but couldn't find any other brands. Also I have a Lyman Lube Sizer and am going to use the Lyman Sizer Die 501 Diameter but wanted to know if anyone has used this combo and if the .501 Lyman Top Punch #649 matches the bullet nose of the lee bullets. I thank you for reading my ramblings and any help would be appriciated.


D.M. Gunworks

Iowaloha.
I can't answer your question, but wanted to welcome you to my favorite forum.
Cheezywan

Hello to All. I am a little new to casting but picking it up quick.
I have a .500 S&W and I am going to use the Lee Bullet Mold C501-440-RF 501 Diameter 440 Grain Round Nose Flat Point
I have found that Hornady Gas Checks 50 Caliber will work for these but couldn't find any other brands. Also I have a Lyman Lube Sizer and am going to use the Lyman Sizer Die 501 Diameter but wanted to know if anyone has used this combo and if the .501 Lyman Top Punch #649 matches the bullet nose of the lee bullets. I thank you for reading my ramblings and any help would be appriciated.


D.M. Gunworks

Welcome to the forum Enders81. Rules are simple, be nice and join in. I've been using Lee molds for a lot of years now and really like them. I don't think you will have any problem with the gas checks, there all pretty interchangable.

I gave up years ago on the Lyman lubri-sizer and went to Lee's liquid alox and there sizing/gas check seating system. Much easier and faster.

You'll just have to try it out to see if it works. You should be able to visually check out the top punch against the top of your newly cast bullets.

I really enjoy casting and hunting with cast bullets in a revolver. I've always had better luck with cast than jacketed bullets on big game. I used to be pretty much a revolver hunter and used 44 mags with a 255 grain Kieth style cast from a custom Lee mold. Alas the 44 mags are gone and all's left is a Taurus 41 mag. I cast Lee's tumble lube 210 grain for this and shoot it without a gas check. I don't even size these and for that matter Lee's molds usually don't require sizing and anything I shot without a gas check never went thru the sizer.

My only problem is I have not yet purchased the mold and have no way of checking the bullet to the top punch. I was trying to avoid having to purchase every thing to find it wouldnt work. I have looked in to the the Lee sizing set up, but I like the Lyman set up and dont find it to much of a bother. I do like to use lee alox with the micro band bullets. I guess im just pickey about how my bullets look I like to see that groove full instead of the all over coat alox gives. Thanks for the ideas. Any more info would be much appriciated.

Daryl

I have the same mold and use the Hornady gas checks from midwayusa. I also use the moly lube from Lyman. Regarding the top punch, I couldn't find one that was appropriate so..... I took a top punch that I acquired from a friend and filed off the rim that supposed to encircle the bullet head. I figured that since the top of the C501 is flat why not file the top punch flat anyway. I've loaded and shot at least 5000 rounds and no problem.

Just a not on your .501" sizer. Have usually gone a little over on sizer diameter, because most of my cylinder throats were.01" over or more. But have noticed the several .500 S&W's we've handled, and they have really tight cylinder throats. A few of us had to go to a .500" sizer to be sure the round chambered. Especially in our Alaskan bush, didn't want a round that wouldn't chamber. I know a couple guys opened up their cylinder throats, but most of us chose to go the .500" sizing diameter, and had good results. Good shooting!