.40 cal round ball?

[Jbar4Ranch]

In an attempt to save lead, I've been loading round balls in my CAS ammo with great results, and I'd like to try it in .38-40, but no one seems to make a .401" RB mould. Even up to .405" or so would work.

[JeffinNZ]

Try some of the specialist MLer suppliers as they often carry ball sizes not seen on a regular basis. Track of the Wolf, Log Cabin etc.

Failing that you could run a .440 commercial ball into a .38-40 bullet sizing die and swage a belt onto it. I have done with with .395 balls through a .375 sizer.

[oldtoolsniper]

There is a guy on Ebay selling cnc machined buckshot molds he might be able to make you one

[Jbar4Ranch]

Try some of the specialist MLer suppliers as they often carry ball sizes not seen on a regular basis. Track of the Wolf, Log Cabin etc.

Failing that you could run a .440 commercial ball into a .38-40 bullet sizing die and swage a belt onto it. I have done with with .395 balls through a .375 sizer.

I use a .440" ball through a .429" sizer for .44-40 RB loads with great results, but taking it down to .401" is too much - it takes a LOT of pressure and the belt swages up around the top punch.

[Jbar4Ranch]

Looks like RCBS offers a .410" RB mould - $65.99 with my dealer's discount from Midway... plus shipping.

[Leftoverdj]

http://www.jt-bullet-moulds.co.uk/

Sounds like more trouble than it's worth to me. You're going to have to save an awful lot of lead to make up for the cost of a mould and the effort of casting with a single cavity that requires cutting sprues in a separate operation.

[Avery Arms]

Off topic but have you considered a boolit trap?


PP

[JeffinNZ]

I use a .440" ball through a .429" sizer for .44-40 RB loads with great results, but taking it down to .401" is too much - it takes a LOT of pressure and the belt swages up around the top punch.

Yes, granted. Maybe two sizing dies. Starting to get time consuming though.

[Gerry N.]

In an attempt to save lead, I've been loading round balls in my CAS ammo with great results, and I'd like to try it in .38-40, but no one seems to make a .401" RB mould. Even up to .405" or so would work.

Jeff Tanner in Jolly Olde is going to be your best bet. He is very fast and unbelievably inexpensive. Yes, you'll have to cut the sprues yourself. I got one in .480" from him in Feb of this year. It cost about $35 and was here inside of two weeks. He also doesn't require payment until you have your mold in hand.

On the other hand a .401" ball mold from anywhere else will be a bit of a wait while the super refined depleted unobtanium for the mold blocks is located and machining methods developed.

Gerry N.

[defib]

found this at dixie gun works for ya!


MO0408 Lyman Mould Block .400 Caliber $89.95



The .400 round ball mould blocks are double cavity, others are single cavity. All use Lyman large handles (sold seperately).


:bigsmyl2:

[Mk42gunner]

How about trying a .395 ball with a flatfaced top punch and leaning on the handle of your lubrisizer?

Robert