Old WRA Co 45-70 Bullets

[John Boy]

Late 1800 to early 1900 Black Powder WRA Co 45-70 bullets:


http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd220/Meadowmucker/Bullets/WRAOld45-70_zpsd670d52d.jpg (http://s222.photobucket.com/user/Meadowmucker/media/Bullets/WRAOld45-70_zpsd670d52d.jpg.html)
Left to Right: 396gr RNFB - 409gr FNHB - 502gr RNHB - 409 RNHB
Powder Charge: Fg
All bullets are 3 groove. Notice the different composition of the lube
Compliments from John Kort, w44wcf

[TXGunNut]

Interesting. Did any appear viable and if so, did you fire them?

[MtGun44]

Lots of hollow bases there. I think this is an important piece of intelligence on how the
factories did it in days gone by.

Bill

[TXGunNut]

I've heard the theories about hollow bases and obturation, I wonder if it had something to do with bearing surface. A bit curious about the alloy as well. Interesting.

[John Boy]

TX, you peaked my curiosity also about the bullets hardness:
Left to Right:
396gr RNFB - Bhn 8.7 = 1:30
409gr FNHB - Bhn 11 = 1:10
502gr RNHB - Bhn 7.0 = ~1:16
409gr RNHB - Bhn 5.0 = Pure

[Lead pot]

What are the diameters of those bullets John?

[TXGunNut]

Interesting look into the past, thanks for sharing.

[John Boy]

Kurt, the base diameters, again left to right:
396gr RNFB - 458
409gr FNHB - 460
502gr RNHB - 458
409gr RNHB - 460

When John Kort (w44wcf) sent them to me, he didn't identify the powder charge for each one. I'll bet though he has it in his documentation

[Larry Gibson]

Those are "dished cavities" not HB's as used for obturation. They are dished to maintain the weght with consistent external dimentions. Most all arsenal 405 and 500 gr 45-70 & 45-55 bullets were dished. One can reference the arsenal drawings and specifications in Army manuals for the M1873/M1884 & M1888 Springfield rifles.

Larry Gibson

[Lead pot]

Thank you John.