Ruger old army question shooting conicals

[lonewolf5347]

I like to ask what mold diameter is correct that shoots conical cast boolets out of my ROA
.452
.456
I like to try some cast bullet with decent width megplate

[Outpost75]

Your manual recommends .457 round ball. Smaller diameter will not fit chambers tightly enough to prevent inertial dislodgement. Bullets heavier than about 200 grains require a higher front sight to shoot on. Lee 200-grain R.E.A.L. is what I shoot in mine.

[tradbear55]

I use the Lee .456 conical that was designed for the ROA :lovebooli:D:D

[lonewolf5347]

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/432413/lee-2-cavity-bullet-mold-456-220-1r-456-diameter-220-grain-1-ogive-radius-conical
this the one you are talking about?
no need to resize? drop out of the mold lube and shoot ? correct
what cast mix would be best ?
I don't cast but a good friend does he been casting for a long time

[rodwha]

Ruger states to use a .456" bullet. Kaido makes a 240 grn FN (modified Lee 255 grn .45 Colt bullet), but I found they backed out of the chambers regularly with somewhat stiff (not max) loads of 3F T7.

Due to the cost of $50/100 + shipping I tried to order a mold (years ago) but Lee was backed up and wouldn't make a run of his unless he had enough demand so I went to Accurate Molds and worked up my own designs as I didn't see the need for two lube grooves and wanted a bigger meplat and less powder capacity used.

Many people claim complete passthroughs for ball on the offside with a ball so I didn't feel the need for that much sectional density for deer so mine weighs 195 grns as is the length of a ball (.460" long).

This bullet hits higher than a ball and will need a taller front sight that Ruger will give for free. Maybe filing the rear sight a little lower will do just as well?

A RN isn't an ideal design for hunting as it won't create as wide of a wound track allowing the flesh to stretch.

I use 35 grns of 3F T7 and Olde E and assume I'm getting over 450 ft/lbs with this judging by posted chronographed results.

These bullets, as well as my 170 grn version at .400" long, give similar groups at 15 yds offhand as a ball.

I also had Tom work me up a hybrid 245 grn bullet between my 195 and 285 grn versions for hogs where I would prefer more mass. I haven't purchased it yet.

http://accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=45-195C-D.png

[rodwha]

Pure lead is always best, though some use a slight amount of tin to help with fillout. Certainly no harder than something like 10-12 BHN with pure lead being around 5.

[rodwha]

Here's a pic of my cast .45 cal projectiles (L to R) - 285 grn WFN, 195 grn WFN, .457" RB, and 170 grn WFN. They all share the same .375" meplat.

http://i64.tinypic.com/24yvfxd.jpg

[Boogieman]

The Lee 220 gr. mould for the Old Army casts .451" on the base band . 456" on the front This is using pure lead. The base is smaller to ease starting into the cylinder. I have resized them & shot them out of a 45acp.

[Tar Heel]

Information on the Lee bullet can be found here.

153700