The RCBS 1-Cavity Bullet Mold 45-405-FN (Part Number R82053) is a premium, manual handloading tool engineered to cast heavy, highly accurate .45-caliber projectiles. Built from solid cast iron blocks that are precision-ground square prior to machining, this mold ensures a flawless, airtight seal. Its two halves are perfectly aligned using heavy-duty steel alignment pins designed to withstand long-term, high-heat exposure without warping. To control lead shearing, the mold features a rugged 3/16-inch-thick solid steel sprue plate held securely by tempered steel spring washers and screws.

For Australian reloaders, this completely manual, non-powered mechanical casting tool has no electrical components. This means electrical specifications, such as 240V compatibility or SAA/RCM certifications, are entirely non-applicable. It can be used freely with any standard lead-melting furnace. Please note that this mold requires standard RCBS single-cavity mold handles (or compatible third-party alternatives) and an RCBS Top Punch #600 for bullet sizing, both of which are sold separately.

Key Features

• Precision Cast Iron Construction: Solid cast iron blocks are precision-ground square for a tight seal and reliable alignment over thousands of casting cycles.
• Heavy-Duty Sprue Plate: Equipped with a 3/16-inch-thick solid steel sprue plate, adjusted with tempered steel spring washers and screws to ensure clean cuts.
• High-Velocity Gas Check Design: Casts a flat-nose bullet with a gas-check base, allowing shooters to push velocities past 1,500 to 2,000 feet per second without causing severe barrel leading.
• Steel Alignment Pins: Ensures the blocks mate perfectly every time, preventing parting-line offset on cast bullets.

Product Specifications

• Brand: RCBS
• Model Number: 82053 (R82053 / RC82053)
• Capacity: Single cavity (1-Cavity)
• Bullet Nominal Diameter: .458 inches
• Bullet Weight: 405 Grains (nominal, based on recommended lead alloy)
• Bullet Style: Flat Nose (FN) with Gas Check (GC) base
• Bullet Length: Approximately 1.05 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.970 lbs (approximately 440 grams)

Who is the RCBS Bullet Mould 45-405-FN for?

• Classic big-bore lever-action handloaders — requires a casting tool capable of producing nominal .458-inch diameter projectiles, allowing this RCBS bullet mould to deliver heavy, hard-hitting ammunition tailored specifically for traditional .45-70 Government rifles.
• Precision target shooters — relies on the extreme cavity consistency of a 1-cavity RCBS bullet mould to cast highly uniform, 405-grain projectiles optimized for competitive shooting in classic .45-90 WCF and .45-90 Sharps single-shot rifles.
• Big-game hunters — requires a robust casting block with a 3/16-inch-thick solid steel plate to produce flat-nose, gas-checked bullets that can safely exceed 1,500 feet per second to deliver maximum knockdown power without leading the barrel.

Less suitable for: High-volume target shooters who will find the 1-cavity capacity a production bottleneck and would be better served by multi-cavity bullet moulds; handgun reloaders requiring bullets smaller than .458 inches in diameter (such as those casting for standard .45 Colt); or shooters who prefer plain-base bullet mould designs that do not utilize a gas check.