Inline FabricationReloading EverythingLoad DataRepackbox
Lee PrecisionTitan ReloadingRotoMetals2Snyders Jerky
MidSouth Shooters Supply Wideners
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 24

Thread: Lee 130 grain 375 heel base bullet

  1. #1
    Boolit Master smkummer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    So. Indiana
    Posts
    1,864

    Lee 130 grain 375 heel base bullet

    This is designed for the 36 caliber cap and ball revolvers. Has anyone tried to load this for a 38 long colt cartridge? Thanks ahead of time.

  2. #2
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    gardners pa.
    Posts
    3,443
    I have the mold and a .38 conversion cylinder for a Remington navy. I have been looking at this same idea. it should work.

  3. #3
    Boolit Master smkummer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    So. Indiana
    Posts
    1,864
    Have you cast a bullet yet from the mold? Hopefully the heel measures close to .358.

  4. #4
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    gardners pa.
    Posts
    3,443
    on the 1858 Remington site they show how it is done.

  5. #5
    Boolit Master smkummer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    So. Indiana
    Posts
    1,864
    This post is a moot point for me now as an original Colt bisley in 38 colt ( rare only 400 made) went for way more than I wanted to pay. Thanks for the info on the 1858 Remington site though. As for now I am simply loading factory hollow base wadcutters in a 38 special case for my 1901 colt DA army revolver and it works fine. If I got that single action, my plan was to shoot it in cowboy action and hollow base bullets are a bit slow to cast.

  6. #6
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Omaha, NE
    Posts
    1,625
    Are you sure that that bullet is heel-base?

    I have one of the Lee .450" 200gr moulds and it is not heel-base. I use it in my 1858 Remington clones. The base is beveled a little bit to make it easier to center them in the cylinder before ramming them in. However, there is no heel. Lee shows both of the moulds directly next to each other.

  7. #7
    Boolit Master


    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Upstate NY
    Posts
    1,606
    Where is that mold listed? I have a .38 Long Colt, I would be interested in this.

    What is the 1858 Remington site?

  8. #8
    Boolit Buddy
    jrmartin1964's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2013
    Location
    MS
    Posts
    449
    If the Lee's base band doesn't measure somewhere in the 0.353" - 0.357" range, you are likely going to have trouble successfully seating that one in the .38 Long. Accurate makes their 38-140H, a true heeled design, which looks about perfect for the old .38 Colt O.L. It's a bit pricey compared to the Lee, but seems like the better choice.


  9. #9
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    gardners pa.
    Posts
    3,443
    I measured the max dia. is .380 the base band is .370.

  10. #10
    Boolit Master Baltimoreed's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    NC
    Posts
    1,592
    I went ahead and ordered an Accurate mold 38-135c for my 1892 DA Colt. Looking forward to casting some correct heeled bullets for the old Colt.

  11. #11
    Boolit Grand Master bedbugbilly's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2013
    Location
    MI (summer) - AZ (winter)
    Posts
    5,098
    Which Lee mold are you talking about - the one that is sold for c & b revolvers? Like at Titan?

    Or is this a "special run" mold?

  12. #12
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    gardners pa.
    Posts
    3,443
    the lee c & b mold.

  13. #13
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Posts
    409
    I hate to change the lee topic, but how do you crimp a heel bullet like the accurate.

  14. #14
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    gardners pa.
    Posts
    3,443
    on the 1858 Remington page they show how to do it. one made up a crimper out of side cutters.

  15. #15
    Boolit Master Baltimoreed's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    NC
    Posts
    1,592
    It’s been a while since I’ve messed with these but I’m thinking that I turned the loaded .38 long rounds upside down and used my lubrisizer.

  16. #16
    Boolit Grand Master

    Wayne Smith's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Hampton Roads, Virginia
    Posts
    13,639
    Bernie at Old West Molds makes a modified Lee crimp die that will crimp heeled bullets. I have one for my 41 Colt and he makes one for the 38 as well. Give him a call.
    Wayne the Shrink

    There is no 'right' that requires me to work for you or you to work for me!

  17. #17
    Boolit Master

    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Fredericksburg, virginia
    Posts
    1,347
    Dredging up an old discussion because I have this exact question. Is this bullet a heel bullet or not? If a heel type, what is the diameter of the heel the Lee 375-130 bullet?

    I'm loading .38 Colt for an old .38 rimfire #2 rolling block rifle using a centerfire breech block. .38 Colt is the centerfire equivalent. I've been using Old West's 38 heel bullet and it works well, but have wondered about this Lee mold. The bullet diameter is right, but I'd need a heel of .354 - .358". A larger heel would be an option, as I can turn the heel down on a lathe. I do this for other bullets and is quick and easy to do.

    Thanks,
    Steve
    Last edited by ndnchf; 01-03-2023 at 12:01 PM.

  18. #18
    Boolit Master TurnipEaterDown's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2021
    Location
    SE MI, USA
    Posts
    593
    If you are asking about the LEE 375-130-1R, for 36 Cal BP cap & ball pistol, I measured one cast years ago from the mold I have and it came out 0.377" body, 0.362" base. Measurement taken 180° to parting line of mold.

  19. #19
    Boolit Master

    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Fredericksburg, virginia
    Posts
    1,347
    Quote Originally Posted by TurnipEaterDown View Post
    If you are asking about the LEE 375-130-1R, for 36 Cal BP cap & ball pistol, I measured one cast years ago from the mold I have and it came out 0.377" body, 0.362" base. Measurement taken 180° to parting line of mold.
    Yes, that is the one. Would you happen to have a few extras that I could buy? If possible, I'd like to try a some in my .38 Colt before buying the mold. Glad to pay shipping. Thanks.

  20. #20
    Boolit Master TurnipEaterDown's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2021
    Location
    SE MI, USA
    Posts
    593
    ndnchf --> PM me.

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check