Heavy cast boolits in 45 Colt

[GSaltzman]

My question is can a heavy cast boolit ( 340 gr ) be loaded in the 950 fps range or does it need to be loaded full throttle to stabalize? Going to try these in my Ruger Bisley after firelapping. The throats are oversized at .455 ( measured with minus pin gauges ) and these boolits are sized at .455. Wanting to try fitting a boolit to the throats to make it work before having a new cylinder fitted. Anyone have any luck using .458 boolits sized down? Firelapping it due to restriction in the bbl.

[GSaltzman]

Should have stated that the reason I'm using these heavy boolits is because I have them on hand. Everything else I have does not have the diameter to fill the throats. Plan to get either a custom mold or I will have a new cylinder fitted. Thanks.

[bigboredad]

I just got home from shooting the lee rnfp 340. I loaded it 15.5 gr. of 2400 and shot a sub 2 inch group with a 5.5 inch blackhawk. I've also had good luck with 9 grains of universal or unique. That is one of my favorite bullets to shoot out the .45

[RobS]

With the 1:16" twist you'll be able to stabilize boolits well enough at 950 to 1000 fps. I need around 1100 fps from my 1:24" twist SRH 454 Casull with 340 grainers. If you decide to go custom I have two designs which I put together that work very well and they both drop at .455-.456 as I size to .454-.455. Tom at Accurate Molds has these two cataloged.

The 340 grainers:

http://i612.photobucket.com/albums/tt206/RobS01/455-340-LFN.jpg

The 300 grainers:

http://i612.photobucket.com/albums/tt206/RobS01/455-300-LFN.jpg

The drawings:

http://i612.photobucket.com/albums/tt206/RobS01/45-300B45-340BLFN.png

[RobS]

The RCBS 45-325-FN-U is another option and one I used for a while, but it cast out at over 350 grains IIRC and the meplat wasn't what I wanted. I was also lucky in finding a mold that cast small at .457 so sizing down wasn't difficult. The Lee wasn't an option for me as the COAL would have been too long to crimp in the crimp groove for my lever action and I'm not to sure but I think the COAL was even too long to crimp in the groove for my revlover as well. bigboredad will have info for you on the crimping of the Lee boolit.

[bigboredad]

I have only used that bullet in ruger revolvers aand they all are able to take the lee when crimped in the crimp groove.

RobS thanks for posting that picture of your 340 design that accurate molds makes. I've been looking at the pic in his catologue and thinking that would be a good replacment for the lee.

[RobS]

I have only used that bullet in ruger revolvers aand they all are able to take the lee when crimped in the crimp groove.

RobS thanks for posting that picture of your 340 design that accurate molds makes. I've been looking at the pic in his catologue and thinking that would be a good replacment for the lee.

I designed the 300 and 340 to fly well in both the revolver and the lever action. The nose is .380" to accommodate the rifle and could have been longer to fill the length of the cylinder however seeing their performance I don't think I would change a thing on either of the two designs. The 340 was easier of the two for load development; accuracy when working with different powders. If it doesn't lead the bore i.e. I'm not exceeding the pressures for my alloy and is traveling along near 1100 fps or greater groups are always tight. I've used 2400, IMR 4227, #9, and H110 with the 340 with good results. Now all I need is the plain base checkmaker from PatMarlin and I'm good to go.

[RobS]

GSaltzman:

What is your bore's groove diameter?

[GSaltzman]

I have slugged it but cannot remember offhand. I did use some minus pin gauges and found a restriction about three inches back from the muzzle. I plan to firelap next week. Once that is done I will push another slug through and remeasure. I looked at the Accurate site and the boolits you mentioned. Sent an email and he can make it for me to fit the throats. Thanks for the info!

[Snyd]

To echo RobS, with the 1:16 twist heavies stabilize very nicely, accuracy may depend on bullest design as well. You'll just have to try it and see. I have been shooting a 355gr WFN (almost a wadcutter) in my 45 Colts at 1150 and 1200 for a few years. Never have shot that one any slower but it groups 6 at 1.5" at 50yds. As an FYI though, I have recently been experimenting a 435gr loooong boolit in my 4" Redhawk converted to a 454. RCBs 45-405-fn .458 sized to .454 shot through .454 throats into .451 bore. The goal was accuracy/stability at 1000-1100. These three avg 991fps, 25yds this is what it will do with the 1:16 twist.

http://web.mac.com/perryschneider/pics/435_04.jpg

[RobS]

I would love to have a 1:16" barrel as I don't ever intend to use light side jacketed bullets at 2000 fps.

[Snyd]

Ya, I wish my Puma 454 levergun was 1:16. Everything I can find says it's 1:30. I'm still working on it with this 435er. I might have to look into one of those custom moulds you got there around 375 or so.

[RobS]

Ya, I wish my Puma 454 levergun was 1:16. Everything I can find says it's 1:30. I'm still working on it with this 435er. I might have to look into one of those custom moulds you got there around 375 or so.

My LSI Puma lever action is a 1:20" twist. 20" barrel and it takes the entire length of the barrel to get a tightly jagged cleaning rod to make a full turn.

[PacMan]

1:20 in mine also.

[RobS]

I also brainstormed the 460-375B and 460-375G over at Accurate Molds. They were designed for my Dad's Marlin 1895 SBL 45-70. A bit long at the nose for the Puma and a bit to large on diameter, but they are pretty much the same boolit as my 300 & 340 designs. These fly very well for my Dad. I'm sure if you wanted he could scale down the boolit diameter for you.

http://i612.photobucket.com/albums/tt206/RobS01/46-375PB-D46-375GC-D.png

[cottonstalk]

I used a 350gr penn bullet over 11.5gr of HS-6 for 975fps.Worked very well.

[Snyd]

Thanks RobS and Dwight. I'll have to test/measure mine.

Thread hijack over. I'll start another one on a recent range session with the Puma and 435gr

[RobS]

I have slugged it but cannot remember offhand. I did use some minus pin gauges and found a restriction about three inches back from the muzzle. I plan to firelap next week. Once that is done I will push another slug through and remeasure. I looked at the Accurate site and the boolits you mentioned. Sent an email and he can make it for me to fit the throats. Thanks for the info!

I just was wondering if the bore was out of spec too. My SRH came with .452 bore groove diameter and .4545 throats. I also had a restriction which was where the barrel/frame screws together and I worked through those issues too. Firelapping may open up the barrel a bit which doesn't sound like too big of a deal since you have large throats anyway. Actually if your bore is on the large side after firelapping a new cylinder may have to reamed over the traditional .452-.4525" to accommodate so your current cylinder may be a blessing after all.

[Lloyd Smale]

my rugers do well with loads like that. as a matter of fact they do better with 300s at even low velocity then they do with 250s at any velocity. Now my fA 454 needs a bit more speed and it takes about 1100 fps to get it to shoot up to its capablilitys.

[RobS]

Lloyd Smale:

I hear you on the 1100 fps with the slower twist; 1:24 out of a ruger SRH 454 Casull too. I don't even shoot anything under 300 grains anymore.