I need a fat bullet......

[centershot]

...to fit my "fat-bore" Marlin 1894. The barrel slugs .4322", and none of the .430" commercial bullets I've tried have given much in the way of accuracy. So, it looks like I,m headed into the realm of the "silver stream"! My question is this: on average, how much oversize can I expect a mold to be? I'm needing an as-cast diameter of at least .432" and .434 would be better! Those of you that have molds that drop 240 - 265 gr bullets (preferably TC or RNFP), I'd like to hear from you! Am I hoping against hope to get a mold that is enough oversize to fit my gun, or do I need to have one custom-made?

Thanks for your help.

centershot

[Maven]

centershot, Unless it's one of the "fatter" Group Buy designs, I think the odds of you finding a commercial mold that casts >.433" are low. However, those same molds that cast too-small bullets, can be "Beagled" so as to eliminate the problem. I think "Beagling" is discussed in one of our stickies. If it isn't, seaarch the board for the term.

[Bass Ackward]

or do I need to have one custom-made? centershot

Yep. I would go the custom route cause it depends on what mix you want to shoot. If you get a mold cut for say lino at .432, you will lose .001 with WW. And if you say I am a lino guy today, you have no idea what you will have access to and therefore what you will become tomorrow. Better safe than sorry.

I would design a TC of around 240 grain and keep nose length to about .300 for deeper seating.

Try it for yourself:

http://www.mountainmolds.com/

[OBXPilgrim]

Not sure if this will help, but:

Here's a group buy that looks like it's not going to end for a week or two (PM the honcho to make sure). It'll be a fat .44 - .434" is what they are shooting for - but the weight is targeted at 290 grs.

You might have to wait a couple/3 months to get the mold, but you can make lots of them & fast.


http://www.castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=14780&page=2

[Dutch4122]

I'm also running a group buy for a "fat" .44 boolit. We are shooting for an as cast diameter of .434" cast of wheelweights; and a weight with lube & gas check at approx. 210 grns. Just thought you might be interested if you like a lighter boolit for your .44 Magnum Marlin with the 1 turn in 38" twist barrel.

Check out the thread entitled "C434-210-RF Group Buy Starts Here and Now" in the group buys section.

Hope this helps,

[Boomer Mikey]

Try these:

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=15483

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=15734

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=14466

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=14780

There should be something there of interest.

Another possibility is: http://www.bearcreeksupply.com/

They make oversize RNFP's from 0.431" to 0.438" with free shipping on orders of $70.00 or more.

These bullets work good in my oversize 44's with a moly and pastewax coating. I happen to know they have a box of 0.434" in stock because I ordered some last month.

Boomer :Fire:

[centershot]

HMmmm..........I've been re-reading this thread for a couple of days, looking over the group buys especially. Thank you all fpr your responses! I was almost ready to get in on Boomer Mikey's GB for the 290 gr .434" PB Lee mold until it occured to me that it was essentially the same profile as the 300 gr bullet I am currently using, and that one hangs up rather badly when feeding through the action of my Marlin. For that reason I have decided to continue to look around, hopefully I can find a TC profile to fit my needs! I did find a 285 gr .432 -.433" TC PB 2-cavity mold at Magma Engineering that they can supply with modified RCBS handles for around $120. Unless I can find something dimensionally closer to what I want I'll probably go with that. The 300 gr I'm using now is a .432" bullet and it delivers very good accuracy, so I am hopeful the Magma mold will do likewise. Decisions! The search continues...........................


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"Wherever you go, go with all your heart!"

Confuscius

P. S. Thanks for the link to Bear Creek Boomer Mikey, I'm gonna' try some of those! What kind of velocities have you been loading these to?