Bevel base vs. flat base bullets

[FISH4BUGS]

I am trying to get a handle on the general preference of the cast bullets shooters here.
When I retire (which may be a few years from now) I may well put my Hensley & Gibbs mould collection to work and do a side gig casting and selling ONLY cast bullets from H&G moulds.
I can see "Dr. Donald's Gourmet Hensley & Gibbs Bullets" as a marketing tool to differentiate my bullets from the rest.
So...before I have some of my bevel based moulds modified, "....I gots ta know". (an obscure Dirty Harry reference)
Do you prefer bevel base or flat base cast bullets and why?
Let the debate start in 3-2-1......

[onelight]

When I buy molds I buy flat base . But the commercial bullets I buy are all bevel base .
They both work for me.

[Castaway]

Be advised, one would think selling formed pieces of lead would be no problem, but you have to clear the legal hoops first and get an FFL. Put me down for non-bevel.

[JoeJames]

I prefer a square almost sharp base.

[FISH4BUGS]

Be advised, one would think selling formed pieces of lead would be no problem, but you have to clear the legal hoops first and get an FFL. Put me down for non-bevel.

So noted.

[Burnt Fingers]

b

Be advised, one would think selling formed pieces of lead would be no problem, but you have to clear the legal hoops first and get an FFL. Put me down for non-bevel.

This right here. It requires a Federal license, and I can only imagine the hoops you will have to jump through running a lead based business.

I would NEVER modify a H&G mold. There aren't going to be any more of them.

I used to be a flat based boolit guy but a Lyman 452630 changed my mind. Those bevel based boolits load a lot easier on a progressive press.

[SSGOldfart]

I'm making my own with H&G molds

[mdi]

I have only purchased one bevel based bullet mold, but have purchased commercial cast bevel based. I haven't seen enough difference to make a case for either as my bullets, either flat based or bevel based have performed well. No difference in accuracy and no extra leading from BB, but today 99% of my cast bullet shooting is with flat based bullets. One thing about flat base; it is way easier and quicker to determine the quality of a pour with a sharp cornered flat base...


A few previous discussions on the topic;
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...l-base-bullets
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...e-or-flat-base
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...e-cast-bullets
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...-vs-Bevel-base

[FredBuddy]

I happened to have 2 Lee 158 RNFP moulds,
which are bevel based. My 1894 Marlin lever
didn't like them, so I made one of them a flat
base. Now my Marlin is happier. That same
rifle really likes my powder coated Lee 125 RNFP
which is a flat base.

There's more: I have a few NOE moulds in
30 and 32 caliber cut with both gas check and
plain base shanks. I have run plain base
powder coated boolits up to 1800 FPS
with good accuracy.

Flat base.

[tazman]

I haven't seen any difference in accuracy in my handguns. The bevel base is easier to get started into the case during seating.

[popper]

Handgun, bevel is fine but I prefer FB. Rifle - all FB. I do agree, don't mod and irreplaceable mould.

[green mountain boy]

h&g molds are great molds as is, i think you will be sorry if you alter them.....no more will ever be made, so, why do it? you will have a tough time making a profit making lead bullets slowly. buy the machines that produce them quickly or dont go at all.

[derek45]

Wwekd ???

[FISH4BUGS]

You will have a tough time making a profit making lead bullets slowly. buy the machines that produce them quickly or dont go at all.

Clearly you have never used an 8 or a 10- cavity H&G mould.

[Budzilla 19]

Hey, Donald , here’s a novel idea, you do what ya want to, and the market will let ya know if you made the correct decision. Btw, how you doing up there?? Just checking. Be safe.

[BJK]

As already mentioned BB loads better on some loaders. I find when I use heavy for the caliber bullets, such as 160s in 9mm that a flat base bullet will sometimes swage the brass when the bullet interferes with the inside head. Too, in rifles with worn muzzles from too many GIs getting over enthusiastic with cleaning rods (Garand) a bevel base will destroy accuracy where a flat base has no effect.

[Valley-Shooter]

Bevel base for all my semi-auto pistol rounds. Best for progressive loading presses . I have 6 of them.

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[AndyC]

I prefer flat, personally, but I'm not sure I can shoot well enough to tell the difference between the two.

[dtknowles]

I prefer flat bases but then I cast my own so....I would not be a customer. I am more worried about accuracy than speed of production. If I am going to buy cast bullets I might has well just buy loaded ammo. If I want a whole lot of ammo in a hurry I would just buy it by the case. Oh, wait, I already did that. I think more important than the base shape is the alloy and lube. Most factory cast bullets are too hard with hard lube. Also bullets don't come in enough variety of diameters. If you are going to make boutique bullets your customers need to be able to choose alloy, lube and diameter. All that said, if most of you customers are loading on progressive presses in volume they probably don't care about those things and just want a powder coated bevel base bullet so the load easy and don't leave lube in the seat and crimp die/dies.

Tim

[Taterhead]

I used to think I preferred plain based bullets, but lately have been specifying my molds in BB. Easier to load in volume.

I would definitely not alter an H&G mold.


EDITED TO ADD:
Could be a nice retirement gig after all the regulations are dealt with. The one problem is that it could take what was once an enjoyable hobby and turn it into something that feels like a J-O-B!