41 long colt casting questions

[Olivier08]

Hi guys,

I’m Olivier from Québec, Canada it’s my first post here and i’m just getting started in casting. I decided to get into casting because .41 colt bullets are expensive and hard to find.

So I have couples questions for you,

First, hollow Base or heel type bullets ?

Second, do they need sizing? If yes what sizing gear you suggest to buy ?

And finally where to buy a mould ? Any good source of casting mould that ship to Canada you know of ? Any one have one to sell ? Where should I look ?

Thanks for your help,

Olivier

[Earl Brasse]

Welcome to the wild, wonderous world of .41 Long Colt reloading!

Here is a great source of information. http://harryo.sixshootercommunity.org/ (thanks for sharing Harry)

Personally:
Hollow base bullet mold from http://www.hollowpointmold.com/ .
Bullet is copy of Rapine bullet mold # 386185, similar to the Lyman 386178 but having bigger lube grooves.
Cast in 40:1 lead to tin ratio
Sized .386 & lubed in Lyman 450 luber/sizer with SPG or similar soft lube for Blackpowder.

Happy Shooting!

[photomicftn]

Second checking out HarryO on the .41LC.

For bullets, you might try Western Bullet Co. at http://www.westernbullet.com/41cosu.html

As far as bullet molds, Miha Prevec made a run of a copy of the Lyman/Ideal 386178, here's the relevant thread:

Group Buy:
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...Long-Colt-mold

He may have some of these left; if not, you have a list of members who bought them to contact.

[AntiqueSledMan]

Olivier

I think you need to slug you bore first.

AntiqueSledMan

[photomicftn]

Which .41 are you casting for?

[Olivier08]

Thank you guys for the info, it’s really appreciated !

I might look for the hollow base mould as Earl brass sent a link for. I hope they ship to Canada. Thanks for the aloy recepe too

My gun is a Colt 1892 6 inches barrel made in 1895

I will try to slug my bore but if I’m right with hollow base it’s not necessary?

Thanks you guys again !

[Earl Brasse]

You're right, with hollow base, it’s not necessary,

[Olivier08]

I finally found one from the group buy ! I shoud get it in couples weeks.

Do you know a good source of info on how to cast with that mould? I never casted with a hollow base mould and I don’t find any thing on YouTube.

Do I need to buy a sizer for the hollow base bullet it will cast ? Is it necessary?

If yes, what do I need in terms of equipment?

I’m planning on pan lubing also. Any good soft lube recepe ?

cheers and thanks again !

[rbwillnj]

Another approach is to use a healed bullet with outside lubrication (I think that is the way it was originally done) Old West Bullet Molds https://oldwestbulletmoulds.com/products?page=2 offers a mold, and also the collet crimp dies for crimping the healed bullets.

Bruce Williams

[Wayne Smith]

Yup, contact Bernie at Old West Bullet Molds for all things heeled boolits among many others. For the old guys here he does have the entire Old West catalog, the old company.

[Olivier08]

Thanks guys, I take good notes of that for the heel type bullet.

Tho, already bought a hollow base mould I will keep trying to get good results before stepping in the heel base world.

Cheers,

Olivier

[rbwillnj]

The world of heeled bullets was new to me until recently when I built a Star Universal reloader to load 41 Long Colt and 442 Webley.

[Wayne Smith]

If you go with the heeled boolit be aware that you may need to trim your brass. Brass length + bullet length above the heel cannot exceed chamber length, obviously. Trimming brass to get the cartridge to fit the chamber of my Uberti was a try and fit proposition until I found the appropriate length.

[AggieEE]

Olivier08, Something else to keep in mind if you decide to go the cast heel route. Some seating dies have a small bullet cavity so the .401 cast heel will stick in the die so getting everything right can be a little tricky. I got a lyman hollow base mold that the hollow base pin seems a little short. Accuracy wasn't too good. I got one of Mihec's molds and haven't gotten to use it yet. Not enough time or money.