Converting a .45-70 mould to .455 Webley

[Jojohnah]

While I know you get what you pay for in regards to the NEI molds but it's a bit much for me (especially if the mold cost nearly the same as the bulldog I bought!) would it be possible to chop down a .45-70 hollow base mold to cast a close enough .455 bullet?

The main problem I'm seeing is that the mold makes a pretty hefty skirt and I'm not sure if that would expand properly in the revolver or if it would depend on the alloy I use and I'm not sure how important point of balance is on bullets as slow and heavy as the .455. How could one go about fabricating a base former (not sure what the technical term is) would turned brass work or does it have to be steel?

[runfiverun]

brass will work.
you can also make a flat bottomed pin that fits up to the base of a drive band and lower the weight that way.

BTW I got a chuckle about the NEI comment.
they ain't been worth what you pay for them since Walt died.

[Harry O]

BTW I got a chuckle about the NEI comment.
they ain't been worth what you pay for them since Walt died.

Unfortunately, I totally agree with what you just said. I decided a while back, never again.

[Mk42gunner]

I have used brass to make hollow point pins for molds and it has been used to make molds. No reason it won't make a suitable base pin, just make sure it is oxidized before using it the first time.

Robert

[fjruple]

Check with Mitec he may still have a 2 cavity .455 webley MKII left.

--fjruple

[17nut]

I did a higher HB pin in a Lee 405-459-HB and they cast 237gr.

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm153/Chickenthief/Skydning/Webley%20revolver/R0012194_zpsnf3h1rsn.jpg (http://s295.photobucket.com/user/Chickenthief/media/Skydning/Webley%20revolver/R0012194_zpsnf3h1rsn.jpg.html)
http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm153/Chickenthief/Skydning/Webley%20revolver/R0012195_zps3hoo6l11.jpg (http://s295.photobucket.com/user/Chickenthief/media/Skydning/Webley%20revolver/R0012195_zps3hoo6l11.jpg.html)
http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm153/Chickenthief/Skydning/Webley%20revolver/R0012196_zpslhkigqgg.jpg (http://s295.photobucket.com/user/Chickenthief/media/Skydning/Webley%20revolver/R0012196_zpslhkigqgg.jpg.html)
http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm153/Chickenthief/Skydning/Webley%20revolver/R0012198_zpsubnoda7n.jpg (http://s295.photobucket.com/user/Chickenthief/media/Skydning/Webley%20revolver/R0012198_zpsubnoda7n.jpg.html)
http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm153/Chickenthief/Skydning/Webley%20revolver/R0012197_zpsjr43vuxc.jpg (http://s295.photobucket.com/user/Chickenthief/media/Skydning/Webley%20revolver/R0012197_zpsjr43vuxc.jpg.html)

Unfortunatly i dont know how they shoot as i havent got my Webley MK VI yet.

[Bigslug]

Check with Mitec he may still have a 2 cavity .455 webley MKII left.

--fjruple

+1. Link for him here: http://mp-molds.com/

I got lucky on one of his 4 cavity ones that was left over after the group buy had come and gone. It's a dead ringer for my single cavity RCBS, but is a lot better behaved and makes A LOT more bullets.

If I had to do over again though. . .As you probably know, Webleys can be weird in having cylinder throats that are a bit smaller than the bore. You might just consider doing some careful measurements and have your cylinder throats opened up slightly to achieve a more conventional relationship between cylinder and bore. This would render the hollow base unnecessary and let you play with conventional designs.

[Jojohnah]

I did a higher HB pin in a Lee 405-459-HB and they cast 237gr.


This is exactly what I'm looking for, what did you make the pin out of?

[17nut]

Alu from the scrap bin.
I drilled and tapped the bottom and mounted the pin with a screw. That way it stays put but is easy to remove.

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm153/Chickenthief/Skydning/Ladeudstyr/R0012244_zpspx6qv6eb.jpg (http://s295.photobucket.com/user/Chickenthief/media/Skydning/Ladeudstyr/R0012244_zpspx6qv6eb.jpg.html)
http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm153/Chickenthief/Skydning/Ladeudstyr/R0012245_zpscnvu93kw.jpg (http://s295.photobucket.com/user/Chickenthief/media/Skydning/Ladeudstyr/R0012245_zpscnvu93kw.jpg.html)
http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm153/Chickenthief/Skydning/Ladeudstyr/R0012246_zps5ii9wf7s.jpg (http://s295.photobucket.com/user/Chickenthief/media/Skydning/Ladeudstyr/R0012246_zps5ii9wf7s.jpg.html)
http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm153/Chickenthief/Skydning/Ladeudstyr/R0012247_zpsdhxc15lr.jpg (http://s295.photobucket.com/user/Chickenthief/media/Skydning/Ladeudstyr/R0012247_zpsdhxc15lr.jpg.html)

[Jojohnah]

Alu from the scrap bin.
I drilled and tapped the bottom and mounted the pin with a screw. That way it stays put but is easy to remove.

Brilliant, heck if the expansion is good you should consider selling this! Though if the skirt thickness is a problem it wouldn't be too hard to simply turn another pin into the original Webley specifications.