Proposed bullet design for an 1851 revolver.

[Thundermaker]

The suggestion to make the nose shorter does not seem to be accompanied by a reason.

The reason is so that it doesn't sit higher than a round ball when loading. That way, it won't require modifying the gun. Again, the height of the slot isn't the issue. It's the width and taper of it. Trust me, I just finished modifying my pair of 1851s to take conicals. It's not just a matter of getting them rotated under the ram. You also have to be able to get them started in the chamber.

[GARD72977]

It's got more bearing surface than a round ball, and those shoot just fine. Of the several concerns voiced here, this is the only one so far that doesn't seem to make sense to me.

No offense but if you dont understand why this differs from a round ball to a longer bullet then you are wasting your time.

[Erebos]

No offense but if you dont understand why this differs from a round ball to a longer bullet then you are wasting your time.

Are you going to explain the point you're trying to make, or are you just here to lord over me and act superior without making an actual argument?

I posted this to get meaningful feedback, not bluster. "No offense."

[Hellgate]

I was not suggesting a second grease groove, just two shallow steps on either side of the driving band to help center it in the chamber.

[Caswell Ranch]

I was not suggesting a second grease groove, just two shallow steps on either side of the driving band to help center it in the chamber.

Maybe a .36 cal R.E.A.L. type.

[Erebos]

I was not suggesting a second grease groove, just two shallow steps on either side of the driving band to help center it in the chamber.

You're right, Hellgate. I went back and read through again. I thought somebody somewhere along the way had suggested a second grease groove. Now, I'm not 100% sure why.

Perhaps I'll make a third version with a single large grease groove in the center, and long guide steps with a bevel at each end.

At any rate, versions 1 and 2 are on the printer now, and I'll know in roughly an hour if these designs have any merit at all or if I'm way off track.

[Caswell Ranch]

Ball ends up looking like this when pushed into the cylinder

[Erebos]

Ball ends up looking like this when pushed into the cylinder

Yup. And that's why I was marginally concerned about tripling the amount of full diameter contact area with version 2 (the wadcutter style one).

[GARD72977]

No offense but if you dont understand why this differs from a round ball to a longer bullet then you are wasting your time.

I'm just talking general rules for good cast bullets.

1.Long unsupported nose do not promote accurracy.

2. Flat base bullets tend to be more accurrate than bevel base. Your base will not keep the bullet going straight down the barrel.

The round ball even though it is not truly round after its loaded and shot will not have much effect on accurracy if it does not stay on axis.

Your design seems the opposite of what I would design for accurracy.

[Erebos]

That unsupported section of the nose that you're fretting about is only .16" long. The entire bullet (version 1) length is only 125% of diameter. So it's not like it's extremely long to the point where the proportions are bizarre. .47" long X .375" wide.

[Erebos]

You may be correct about the rear-facing taper being detrimental to accuracy, however. It's a 9.9 degree taper from .375" to .319".

[GARD72977]

Bullets are steered from the base. Nothing to stop this design for cocking sideways as it goes down the barrel

[Erebos]

Yeah I get it. You don't like version 1. Noted. Thank you.

[Erebos]

So, to all the people who told me these won't fit in the loading window, this is why I take measurements and make models first. It's not a guess. They both fit with tons of room to spare.

[VariableRecall]

So, to all the people who told me these won't fit in the loading window, this is why I take measurements and make models first. It's not a guess. They both fit with tons of room to spare.

Wow! How did you make the mock ups? Lathe? 3D printing?

[Erebos]

3D printer. I had five of each ready in 45 minutes. The printer made them while I was eating dinner.

[VariableRecall]

3D printer. I had five of each ready in 45 minutes. The printer made them while I was eating dinner.

sure beats making a prototype mold that's for sure!

[AntiqueSledMan]

Hello guys,

My thought on making the nose shorter was to create the length closer to the diameter.
Weight could be adjusted by making the grease groove deeper.
Also it would have two .050" bands on a 0.1825" surface.
I must add personally I'd just stick with a round ball.
Apparently Erebos wants a heavier bullet as a .375 ball is only about 80gr,
and he doesn't want to have to load them in certain direction.
No matter the reason, I compliment him on trying something different.
I did build a swaging die to form a .375 round ball into a hollow base conical,
thus creating a conical which weighs the same as a round ball like the obsolete Ball-Ettes.

AntiqueSledMan

[waksupi]

No offense but if you dont understand why this differs from a round ball to a longer bullet then you are wasting your time.

I decided to not waste any more time on him. He has this in his head, and will need to learn on his own.

[Erebos]

Waksupi, you left one comment saying it won't work worth a darn because it has less bearing surface than a ball and then you peaced out, never explained your assertion, and then came back to make a second comment that also explains nothing. You haven't made any attempt to be helpful. I hope you don't waste any more time on me. It would be a blessing.

To those of you who have been genuinely helpful, I thank you.