rcbs mould maintenance

Good day,

I just rec'd a new rcbs mould .38-158-rn today and reading the paperwork that came with the mould it said - When your casting session is complete, leave the last pour in the mould. Do not cut off the spruce or remove the moulded bullets. This will help to prevent the interior of the mould from rusting. The mould is iron.

My question to everybody is how many of you do this. Or do you empty your mould out and spray, wipe it down with something before storage.

I'm new at this and just thought I would see what others do.

Thankyou.

No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he is vigilant in its preservation. General MacArthur

I don't know how many casters do this, but I don't. According to many casters, it doesn't work...hasn't/didn't and won't. You of course are welcome to try if you wish, but Florida is known to have lots of humidity around and unless you have constant AC and the mold sealed off/protected in some way....you're going to get rust by following instructions in the RCBS paperwork. They ought to know better. My advice/practice is to empty the mold, spray it or oil it if you wish, seal it in a air-proof plastic pouch/bag with a dessicant /dryer element and put it in a GI ammo can. If you use oil or any product that has a petroleum base in it you will have to reclean the mold thoroughly before using it again. There is no hocus pocus attached to that...using mineral spirits, lacquer thinner or acetone will effectively do the job with the aid of a Q-Tip. (Be sure that your area is well ventilated). A hair dryer will finish the job and then preheat the blocks. Some people don't like the ritual, but I prefer it to rust...which is a real pain and it never sleeps. LLS

I've never left my last pour in. And I have never had one rust. But I'm in a very dry state and I keep my molds in a sealed box with dessicant. I also don't oil my molds.

I don't oil mine either. I might wipe them down with a gun cloth on the outside, but no oil. I store them in a safe that is equipped with a golden rod and that has always worked for me.

Socialism is a philosophy of failure,
the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy,
its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery."
-- Winston Churchill

Boolit Buddy Join DateFeb 2011LocationBredasdorp South AfricaPosts70

I do the same as GaryN, sealed container with dessicant, no oil since it is a real hassle to get off next time you want to cast. We have a lot of moisture, and this has always worked well for me.

Boolit Master Join DateMar 2010LocationMichiganPosts514

Hello, Uncle. That last bullet left in mould theory is very old..but I never could understand it..if bullet fit were so tight to exclude moisture..you could never get it out of mould..lead shrinks. Some of my moulds only see use every few years or so, I spray mine while still barely warm to touch with industrial product..Mould Saver..contains lanolin..some have been so treated for over 20 years & stored in basement with zero rust.

I have some RCBS moulds that were stored in closet for over 10 years. I never did oil them before putting away and they have zero rust.

Thankyou everybody for the replies. All information greatly appreciatated.

No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he is vigilant in its preservation. General MacArthur

don't do it.
lead oxidizes, oxides and iron don't work well together.
if you aren't gonna use it for a while just oil it or store it with a dessicant package.

it's all an educated guess,,,, till the trigger is pulled.

the more i find out about shootin boolits, the more it contradicts everything i ever learned about shooting jaxketed.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading
Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt"

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