NEI's 732 835 #399

[Naphtali]

I am having muzzleloading big bore rifles built and discovered NEI's 732 835 #399 bullet during a mold search. While the bullet appears to be intended for older cartridge rifles, and perhaps Paradox guns, its dimensions fit my barrels. Whether overall length would stabilize remains open.

http://www.neihandtools.com/catalog/index.html

Would the shape of base band, lube groove, or front band have any obvious liability for loading from the muzzle? If YES, please describe.
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To preclude replies about "need," or "recoil," or "correctness," et al. - I'm aware of what you yearn to mention. I anticipate shooting loads with this class of bullet seldom. Probably if such bullets were available over-the-counter, I would take this route rather than buying a mold.

[longbow]

No personal experience muzzleloading bullets this big but I have to ask if you plan on a groove diameter boolit or something more like a Maxi ball with bore size base band and groove size nose band.

Having just tried some 0.003" over bore size PP bullets in my .50 cal muzzleloader I can tell you they were very hard to load!

I was wanting to try Idahoron's method for PP'ing muzzleloader Boolits. I had tried starting them and they seemed to fit the muzzle well as the paper compresses a bit but they got real hard to get down the barrel real fast! I had to use a rod and a mallet to seat them.

I reduced diameter to give bore size with just a bit of drag and still had trouble after a few shots. This should work but is likely a wipe after each shot exercise.

I shudder to think how much effort it would take to seat a .72 cal bullet that is stuck halfway!

A Maxi style might be more forgiving for loading especially since it would be well lubed.

Another thought is Accurate Molds:

http://accuratemolds.com/catalog.php?page=4

The #72-780M and #73-770S might work for you. The #72-780M is designed for muzzleloader as well and has reduced base band.

I just got a mould from Tom in .44 and it is a terrific mould. Service was excellent and he will modify the listed designs to suit youur needs and wants or make moulds of your design.

I am sure Tom would make you the Paradox twin in Maxi style with reduced base band if you wanted it.

Just my thoughts.

Longbow

[Naphtali]

LB:

Many thanks for the insight, and for the link to a big bullet mold maker.

[longbow]

Naphtali:

I can't speak on the quality of NEI mould personally but I certainly can for Accurate Molds. I had read several glowing reports of Tom's good service and excellent quality moulds so took a look for a mould design for a friend at the Accurate site.

I found a design for him and one I was interested in but wrong caliber. I asked Tom about scaling that one down for my .44 ~ not a problem.

We both bought moulds from Accurate and they are both excellent moulds and cast right on spec. Also, both were made within a few days of Tom receiving payment. Very quick service.

Longbow