oddball mould

[44mag1]

I have this oddball mould I was wondering if anyone has seen one similar. it casts a 227 grain bullet with a 459 base. I think it is part of a 2 part mould

[jhrosier]

It looks like a "Picket ball", , sometimes refered to as a "sugarloaf bullet."

Jack

[kir_kenix]

...ummm...whats a "picket ball", and what is it used for? It doesnt look like this boolit is designed to be loaded into a case...so....BP?

Thats a pretty interesting find there 44.

[jhrosier]

A Picket ball is a conical bullet that is meant to be used with a patch in a muzzle loading rifle.
It was very difficult to get it seated square with the bore and thus did not enjoy wide popularity.
I think that there may be reference to it in one of Ned Roberts books, but it has been a while since I read them.

Jack

[kir_kenix]

ahhhh....That explains it. Seems like it would be a pain to load i guess, guess that why we dont have too many designs like that around anymore. Still, cool find.

[Bent Ramrod]

You needed a false muzzle to load one of those picket bullets straight.

[44mag1]

the guy who owns the local gunshop here knows I enjoy casting and got this mould in an estate type deal. He dident seem to have a use for it so he gave it to me. The bullet doesent have much cylinder to it. Thanks for the replies and Im sure its true purpose will be found if it hasent already.

[Buckshot]

................Ned Roberts book, "The Caplock Rifle" shows many slugs like that. They did very well if loaded correctly. That mould was probably made by the gunsmith who made the missing rifle it belongs to :-)

................Buckshot

[Buffalochip]

The mold is definately a Picket or sugarloaf mold. From what I understand, these molds are fairly rare and collectible. I saw one for sale in the $300+ range. I have one, but it lacks the sprue cutter, which means I have to clip it with wire cutters.