Which bullet?

[Mark454]

Currently I'm pretty strapped for cash, and these xtp's are getting expensive to practice with.

I shoot a SRH in 454, and only have two usable molds. One is the Lee 200-RF, and the other is a (don't laugh) Lee 405-RF for .458s. The 405gr falls out at .456, which I've sized to .452 in the past and shot at ~1100fps from a 45 colt case. The 200gr (heat-treated WW) I've ran pretty quick, up to about 1500fps in a colt case with little leading and good accuracy.

Which bullet would you guys use for whitetail <100yds? I know neither is ideal, but my 255 swc mold drops undersized, out of round bullets.

Thanks

[Wolfer]

Put either one in the boiler room and they will work just fine.

[Larry Gibson]

Looks like you have 2 moulds that cast "undersized"? Perhaps its not the moulds but the alloy or casting technique. The 255 SWC would be my choice and perhaps we can help you make it cast correctly. What is the alloy and method of casting?

Larry Gibson

[dubber123]

If the accuracy is there, I'd for sure go with the 405. I have and like the LEE 200 RF, mine casts a bit on the heavy side, but it is still a very stubby .45 boolit. I would be concerned with penetration. I wouldn't worry about that with the 405.

[Mark454]

Currently I cast everything out of wheel weights and haven't had an issue with other molds. I've also casted out of range scrap and pure soft lead, and while there were variations with the 458 mold, the 255 mold is consistently undersized and out of round. I've "beagled" it in an effort to fix this, but across the seams its always .450 or below

[Wolfer]

I used to be concerned with the 200 RF and penetration. However I've shot two deer with that boolit cast of pure lead in a 58 rem. Velocity around 700 fps. Both were complete pass through. I'm not as concerned as I once was,however I do prefer heavy boolits.

[Mark454]

Forgot to mention method of casting. I'm using a Lee bottom pour pot, and cool the mold on a damp rag between casts. I've casted hotter and cooler in an effort to change the size.

[missionary5155]

Greetings
If that 255 grain mold was mine I would lap it "fatter" with fine valve lapping compound. Aluminum molds lap out fast so do be aware. Just do a search for "Mold Lapping". Lots of good info. Have done numerous and all were well worth the little effort it takes.
I have a BFR 454. Barrel is near spot on at .452. Cylinders are superb at .4525 - .453. Have tried .453 and .453+ in diameter (sized). Both diameters shoot well with 296 and 1680. Lee 265 grain GCFN and a 280 grain FNGC (Accurate) .
Mike in Peru

[Cornbread]

I shoot a lot of 454 in everything from BFRs to Taurus Raging Bulls to a lever action I had done in 454 Casull. I love this round. I have also shot quit a few deer and some bear with them. I like 350gr bullets although I shoot a lot of 260gr as well, but I have never gone as light as 200gr. If I had to choose between those two molds I would go with the heavier one and size down to where you need it and just use air cooled COWW or if you have access to both COWW and stick on WW you could do air cooled 50/50 with them. 50/50 is primarily what I hunt with although I have killed several with COWW straight up. I've never had a deer go anywhere when hit with a cast bullet from a 454 Casull revolver. I haven't hunted with the lever action yet, but I imagine results will be similar.

[Mark454]

Thanks guys. As mentioned earlier, I shoot alot of 45 colt. A warm colt does well enough, I'll save the monster loads for something bigger.

[fastdadio]

Currently I cast everything out of wheel weights and haven't had an issue with other molds. I've also casted out of range scrap and pure soft lead, and while there were variations with the 458 mold, the 255 mold is consistently undersized and out of round.

I have a .429 mold that was dropping small and out of round. I beagled it twice until it dropped over sized, then run the boolits through a sizer die which puts them right at .429 and perfectly round. I beagled it hard the second time using a battery drill and valve grinding compound. My intention was oversized boolits to be resized back to spec.

[Mark454]

Sounds like I need to try lapping this 255 mold. Will standard valve lapping compound from an auto parts store work?

[Fishman]

I'd order the Lee 300 gr .454 mold and run it. A 2 cavity is only $20 and that is cheap compared to xtps

[Mark454]

Yeah that's what I should do. I'm sure I could come up with $20

[Blammer]

I'd go with the 200gr and slow it down some, 1200 fps will penetrate a deer length wise I know. :)

[pls1911]

IF YOU CAN LAY YOUR HANDS ON AN RCBS 270-SAA SWC, DO IT.
That heavy bullet weighs 290 in my alloy, and works great in all my .45 cal revolvers.

[Silvercreek Farmer]

Shot a domestic ram head in with a Lee .430 200 RF ACWW at 1100 fps at 40-50 yards. He had his head down eating and the boolit entered right behind his head, penetrated his entire neck (missed bone for the most part)and exited his sternum for 18 inches total. SD is a little less on a 45, but I'm sure penetration would be similar in lung tissue.

[Ramjet-SS]

Out of round are you seeing any wings at the seam?

Make sure the mold is closing and not any foreign matter between the halves.

But it have to believe the alloy is the issue.

SWC all day long between the two you have told us about.

I will dig through my molds I think I have a 255 grain SWC mold you could use if you want. PM me.

[Mark454]

I appreciate the offer Ramjet, but I'm going to try lapping this 255 mold in. It's only undersized at the seams, and there aren't fins flashing out from the seams. Across the width is right where it should be at .452-.453. Some places on the seams are .449-.450