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SgtDog0311
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Saeco 740 Questions
Jan 24th, 2017 at 3:27pm
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Would be interested in other's experience with this mould.

First, what do you find the drop diameter is for yours, and what alloy are you getting it with?   For reference would you indicate if yours is a single cavity or double cavity.

Second, do you find the drop sizes and weights close for two cavity moulds?   Would you recommend one over the other based on your experience and if you have two cavity, are the sprues separated or do they have a trough between them?  I have a dickens of a time ladle pouring with a joined sprue.

Finally, are your bullets round or oval?   My Snover was a disappointment in that regard and was wondering if Saeco has a good reputation for dropping better than my Lyman?

Thanks for the input
  

Best Regards,
John
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SSShooter
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Re: Saeco 740 Questions
Reply #1 - Jan 24th, 2017 at 5:33pm
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Lyman are made in China these days. Too sad.
My Saeco 640 drops a round bullet and it casts as good as my BACo and Brooks molds. However, it drops at 0.410", so have to run them all through the 0.409" lubrasizer die prior to loading. Saeco is part of Redding, which has maintained its quality by continuing to make its products in the good ole USA.
  

Glenn - Stevens 044 1/2, Bartlein SS 5R barrel in 22LR
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MT Chambers
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Re: Saeco 740 Questions
Reply #2 - Jan 24th, 2017 at 5:54pm
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My Saeco 740 is right on and a "go to " mold. None of my Lyman molds are made in China.
  
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gunlaker
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Re: Saeco 740 Questions
Reply #3 - Jan 24th, 2017 at 6:00pm
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I have a single cavity #740 mold.  It's not super round.  I'd say that the driving bands average 0.408", but vary from 0.407" to 0.409" depending on which band you measure, and whether it's on the seam or not.

I cast in 20:1 and am really happy with it at short range ( 200m).   

Here is a target I shot from an NRA legal prone position at about 200m.   This is not an unusual target, the rifle has shot this bullet this well many times:

Ten shots prone at just over 220 yards. Vertical 0.75 moa, horizontal 1.5 moa.

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

I do trust the money bullet more as distances get further.

Chris.
  
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SgtDog0311
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Re: Saeco 740 Questions
Reply #4 - Jan 24th, 2017 at 7:26pm
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Thanks fellas.  Appreciate the size information especially.

MT Chambers... what is it right on at?  The Midway single and double cavity listing gives a .408-.410 range.    

Trying to estimate my chances of getting at least .409, preferably a little bigger.
  

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John
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Re: Saeco 740 Questions
Reply #5 - Jan 24th, 2017 at 7:28pm
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Whoa! Are current Lyman molds really made in China? 
The newest mold I own is from when China was still a feudal country- like when the 'Sand Pebbles' was current politics. Well, maybe a couple are newer, but not marked Lyman either.
  
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gunlaker
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Re: Saeco 740 Questions
Reply #6 - Jan 24th, 2017 at 11:32pm
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SgtDog0311 wrote on Jan 24th, 2017 at 7:26pm:
  

Trying to estimate my chances of getting at least .409, preferably a little bigger.


You could always find a mold maker to duplicate that mold but cut at the diameter you want.  Steve Brooks might take that job on.

Chris.

  
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Hiwall55
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Re: Saeco 740 Questions
Reply #7 - Jan 25th, 2017 at 5:35am
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My 740  saeco single cavity drops at .410 and shoots well but I bought a 45 caliber 485 grain last year, used,  that cast way out of round (,456 to .459) and redding made a new cherry that cast .458-.459 bullets, so I guess its probably luck of the draw. but Redding did stand behind their product.
  
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SgtDog0311
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Re: Saeco 740 Questions
Reply #8 - Jan 25th, 2017 at 10:27am
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Thanks Hiwall55, good input.

Chris, maybe time to find out what Boomer moulds are like then.  Price is right and only have one negative on them.   Otherwise I hear good things.   Brooks would be the sure bet.   Have to think on that one.    BACO prices are right in between.   I've been looking at their Creedmoor 395gr too.
  

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John
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gunlaker
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Re: Saeco 740 Questions
Reply #9 - Jan 25th, 2017 at 10:44am
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I like the BACO molds a lot.  They are made very well, and tolerances are as good or better than any custom mold I own.

As long as the design works well with your chamber you will be happy.  I'm a big fan of the 409400M4 which is what I shoot most out of my Shiloh.

I've also used the Hoch .40 cal BPCR mold but it was pretty terrible accuracy-wise compared to the Saeco or BACO mold.  It just didn't fit my rifle well.

Chris.
  
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John Boy
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Re: Saeco 740 Questions
Reply #10 - Jan 25th, 2017 at 11:44am
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Quote:
First, what do you find the drop diameter , and what alloy are you getting it with?   For reference would you indicate if yours is a single cavity or double cavity.
Second, do you find the drop sizes and weights close for two cavity moulds?   .
Finally, are your bullets round or oval?


I have a single Saeco large block mold with one cavity cut for 640 and the 2nd cavity cut for 740
Saeco 640:
* Nominal 380gr - actual drop 381gr (380.8 to 381.4)
* 1:16 Alloy
* Base diameter - .410 - spot on - not out of round
* 1.210 length
Saeco 740:
* Nominal 420gr - actual drop 421gr (420.6 to 421.2)
* 1:16 Alloy 
* Base diameter - .410 - spot on - not out of round
* 1.325 length
The mold is a pleasure to cast with and both bullets are completely filled out with sharp bases - proud GG bands and parting lines almost not visible! I ladle cast with a 5 second pour and an 8-10 second sprue puddle frost
Add that the 640 is an accurate Chicken bullet and the 740 for the Pigs to the Rams with the CPA rifle in black powder reloads
One of the best molds I own
  
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SgtDog0311
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Re: Saeco 740 Questions
Reply #11 - Jan 26th, 2017 at 12:32pm
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Chris, John, thank you.   

John, I had not thought of that 640 as yet but sounds like it could be a candidate in my 40-63.    Twist may be slow but close.    

I've been trying to prioritize some dollars with the intent of eventually getting the Creedmoor, 400gr Money and the Saeco.

The Saeco is reduced grooves or no?
  

Best Regards,
John
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Hiwall55
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Re: Saeco 740 Questions
Reply #12 - Jan 26th, 2017 at 1:07pm
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No reduced bands on a Saeco
  
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QuestionableMaynard8130
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Re: Saeco 740 Questions
Reply #13 - Jan 26th, 2017 at 2:40pm
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May I suggest taking a look at Accuratemolds.com. It is an incredible resource for the needs out sports entail.
 I have ordered half a dozen molds from him in the part few years, both single and double cavity.
   I use the doubles with the Cabin-Tree clamping handles and have found very little little variation between cavities unless I have deliberately ordered them slightly different.  (I do use a large capacity older Lyman bottom pour pot though)

He does not do round nose or pointed bullets. All his CNC lathe-cut molds require a .18 dia meplat.   He has a very large catalogue of molds he has made and drawn them up in detail; including a wide range of nominally .40 cal rifle bullets. Any of them can be modified by just changing dimensions.
  

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craigd
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Re: Saeco 740 Questions
Reply #14 - Jan 26th, 2017 at 5:48pm
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QuestionableMaynard8130 wrote on Jan 26th, 2017 at 2:40pm:
....have found very little little variation between cavities unless I have deliberately ordered them slightly different....

Do they, or will they, cut completely different patterns in the same block? Or, is it the same pattern with maybe band diameter variations?

Thanks much for any comment you may have.
  
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