Ranch Dog bullets

[hiram]

I know RD boolits have a great reputation for being used in Marlin rifles with their "Micro-Groove" rifling.

Who has any experience in ballard rifled barrels??

[knifemaker]

I use the RD 350 gr. bullet in my marlin 1895 LTD-V 45/70. It is ballard rifled and I have driven that bullet to 1850 fps with superb accuracy and no leading. I hand dipped them in alox and then sized them in a .460 Lyman sizing die. This paticular bullet is also a gas check design and that helps on any possible leading problem.

I am now just sizing them in the die while using BAC lube to avoid the time and trouble of hand dipping. Still great performance.

[looseprojectile]

I don't own a Marlin. The Ranch Dog Boolits are the best shooting boolits I shoot.
I shoot the 190 grain 360, the 210 grain .375, the 265 grain .432, the 45 caliber rifle boolits in 350 and 430 grain and the 50 caliber pistol boolit.
You can't go wrong. I don't have his .30 caliber mould though I have the Ideal 31141 and it does all I want and need in the 30 cals.


Life is good

[jbunny]

.

I am now just sizing them in the die while using BAC lube to avoid the time and trouble of hand dipping. Still great performance.[/QUOTE]

pray tell, what is BAC lube. thanks
jb

[stubshaft]

I use the RD 425 in my 1895G and 1895 (Microgroove and Ballard). I load it ahead of 2400 and/or 3031. The 1895 Classic is the most accurate lever gun that I own with the G model a close second. With a 3X9 scope mounted (only for testing purposes) it has shot 5 round groups of 3/4"@100yds with the RD 425 and RCBS 405. I cast the RD at 16BHN and just run through a .460" sizer and tumble loob with Xlox.

[HORNET]

jbunny asked: pray tell, what is BAC lube.
BAC is a mix of beeswax, alox, and carnauba from White Label Lubes (see LsStuff link at bottom of page). It's stiffer than 50/50 but still works in a lubrisizer without a heater (except in Canada, eh?).

[44man]

Marlin Ballard rifling is a farce. It is the same depth as the micro groove of .003". You actually get more grip from micro groove.
You still need a good boolit fit and the RD boolits were perfect.
Your caliber and twist rate will be the only factor for accuracy.
Marlins are very accurate EXCEPT the .44, they fell flat on their face with the twist rate and just will not admit they are wrong.
The RD .44 is super accurate from my revolver but nothing works in the Marlin .44 even 434" boolits from molds I made.
I use Felix lube on the TL boolits.
There is nothing special about RD boolit design but he was correct to step out and have molds made of the right diameters. They would do as well with regular grease grooves.
RD held molds to the highest quality and I will miss them. If you can get one, buy it.
Lee was selling rejects from RD so you might have to send some back until they get it right.

[Whit Spurzon]

I have RD molds for 30 caliber, 45-70 and 38-55 with one in 45 Colt on order. I've shot the 30 caliber bullet in both Ballard and MG barrels with very good results. All of my 45-70s are Ballard and the RD bullet (425gr) preform outstanding at velocities as low as 1000 fps to near 1700 fps, I didn't try anything over that. Terrific hunting bullets.

[supertodd]

IT shoots good

[mpmarty]

I've got both RD 45/70 boolit molds and like them a lot. I shoot them without gas checks in front of 25gr of old 2400 and they don't lead my marlins at all. I have used them with LLA and also with BAC in a Star w/ .460 dies.

[1Shirt]

RD bullets are shooters. Have 30, 35's, and 44's.
1Shirt!:coffee:

[kelbro]

The 265 RD cast with #2 shoots very well in my Ballard 1894.

[Hurricane]

Check out the Ranch Dog Mold site. Currently he is running a group buys on 30 caliber which closes on March 31,2010. In April it will be 35 caliber followed in May by 22 and 45 caliber. He also has 32 Win Spl molds in inventory.

Also on the Active Buy site on Cast Boolits, group buys are taking orders for 30 and 35 caliber Ranch Dog style boolits but with regular lube grooves and HP if you want it.