RCBS 45-255-KT question

[eastwa]

Another just getting started guy, thanks for the forum.
Placed the order at Midway the other day, have the following on the UPS truck:
Lyman MiniMag kit, RCBS 45-270-SAA, Lyman sizer die/RCBS top punch, etc.
Yesterday I found a RCBS 45-255-KT w/ handles locally. My limited internet search capabilities have not found much info on this one, the search here lists one for sale 1.5 years ago.

Can I assume KT stands for Keith, and will my new sizer/top punch work with this mold?

More silly questions on the way after I read a couple of books.

[Lloyd Smale]

yes its a keith style bullet. and the top punch will work.

[eastwa]

Thanks for the reply. Have been looking for used equipment for a couple of months locally, found a source 2 days after buying new.

There is lots of info on the 255-SWC, is the 255-KT a older or discontinued product?

[zipdog]

I have the 255 SWC (recent purchase, new), and it appears to be the same as the 255-KT. Some of the old timers here should be able to shed more light on the situation.

[Tom W.]

I traded a Lyman mold for one from a fellow here on the forum, and sent it to RCBS to see if they would refurbish it and get the handle off. The got the handle off, but sent me a new mold, their 45-255 SWC. After casting a few boolits, I went to size them using the listed top punch, and found that it left rings on the top of the boolit. As it looked like a miniature version of my 476-400 SWC, I tried that top punch, and it worked fine. I took some pictures and sent them to RCBS, and after a few days they found that the cherry was .015 too big. They were willing to replace the new mold that they had just sent with the corrected one, but I declined, preferring the unique model that I had.

[Lloyd Smale]

the swc and the kt are different bullets. There was one other variation of the 255 rcbs too.

[Tom W.]

May be. But that is what happened....

[MtGun44]

HMMMM.

My RCBS is a 44-250 K -- not 255 and not "KT". Wonder what the diff is
other than the obvious 5 grains in weight?

RCBS's online catalog lists the 44-250 K as a current mold.

Bill

[zipdog]

the difference is the caliber.

[26Charlie]

The Keith design SWC has specific criteria, as I understand it - a large lube groove and a crimp groove, equal bands and groove width, full size front band with enough set-out from the nose to cut WC holes in paper, and a curved nose ogive to a half-caliber meplat. The classic Lyman numbers are 358429 for .38 Special, 429421 for .44 Special, 452423 for .45 Auto Rim, and 452424 for 45 Colt.

That design has been appropriated by mould makers here and there with some changes to one part of it or another, but looking similar. Also, the same general proportion of the bullet nose was used in the Thompson designed 429244 gascheck bullet, but with smaller lube grooves.
So, the 45-255-KT and the 44-250-KT are RCBS versions, which they called Keith-Thompson designs, until I think they realized it was akin to calling a car a Ford-Chevy design. then it became a Keith design.

[MtGun44]

OOPS. I misread the caliber.

Bill

[GLL]

I was always under the impression that the "KT" stood for "Keith-Type" as indicated on the box label.

Jerry

[eastwa]

Thanks for the photo, that tells me everything I need to know. I sent RCBS a email, but have not heard back from them yet.

[eastwa]

Just got the reply from RCBS:

"The 45-255-KT is an older mould. The KT does stand for Keith Type. It
is a discontinued model and has been replaced by the 255-SWC.

The 255 SWC is the same exact mould with a different name. I don't know for sure what years the KT type was made, but it was discontinued after his death and replaced with the SWC"

[GLL]

I have both the 45-255-KT and the SWC. Each is RCBS #82050.

Jerry

[Tom W.]

What I said. But mine is a mis-cut, as admitted to by RCBS.

[TxGunfighter]

An Excellant mould and an even better bullet.... You will be happy!
TxGunfighter

[KSCowboy]

I have used the 45-255-KT bullet for many years in the 45 LC to hunt mountain lions and wild hogs with. A year or so ago, after reading on here about Buckshot making hollowpoint moulds out of standard moulds, I sent it off to Buckshot. Now I've got one HP cavity and one standard cavity.

A good mould just got even better!

[Cherokee]

Don't remember if my RCBS 45-255 is a KT or SWC, but it sure does shoot well from my Ruger Blackawks, Redhawk and LA Rifle. Cast from wheel weights @ 268 gr and sized .452 for my guns.

[eastwa]

Update, and kudos to RCBS.
First ever pour this week, everything looks good. Showed the 255's and the 270's to a feller at work who has been casting for years. He said I was good to go. I will be loading them up today.

I contacted RCBS via email to replace the sprue plate and mould box with broken hinges for the 255. Argued, pleaded, begged to pay. They are sending the parts free of charge.

Now, if I can just get the Lee Pro 4 to quit leaking, I am all set.