.490 Projectiles

[djohns28]

I am working on a project and need some .485 to .490 diameter soft lead bullets somewhere between 330 and 440 grains. I don't want to buy a mold and don't really want to invest a whole lot into it. What are my options?

[fcvan]

Go to the section Swapping and Selling and put your request out there. You might be able to find someone who casts what you are looking for.

[brewer12345]

I am working on a project and need some .485 to .490 diameter soft lead bullets somewhere between 330 and 440 grains. I don't want to buy a mold and don't really want to invest a whole lot into it. What are my options?

For what? Sounds like a muzzleloading application, but I suppose could be something else.

[djohns28]

For what? Sounds like a muzzleloading application, but I suppose could be something else.

I want to try to load a 3/4 ounce "slug" in a shot cup for 28 gauge. Should be very similar to a patched round ball except with plastic wad and twice the weight. Accuracy is gonna be terrible but for a 30 yard shot it would have to be at least as accurate as I am with my .40 cal.

[brewer12345]

I want to try to load a 3/4 ounce "slug" in a shot cup for 28 gauge. Should be very similar to a patched round ball except with plastic wad and twice the weight. Accuracy is gonna be terrible but for a 30 yard shot it would have to be at least as accurate as I am with my .40 cal.


Hmmm, the typical ML conical will cast at .50 or better so as to engage the rifling. Not sure if that will work for what you have in mind. Round ball would work, maybe stock two 490 balls in the shot cup?

[djohns28]

Two round balls would be too tall to fit in the 2 3/4 shell. Already thought about it.

[brewer12345]

Two round balls would be too tall to fit in the 2 3/4 shell. Already thought about it.

How fat a boolit will fit?

[megasupermagnum]

Do you have a rifled barrel 28 gauge? If not, then a bullet will not be a good choice. Now that I look, you asked this in the shotgun section, and already got the answer. You can fit two .490" balls in a 2 3/4" hull. You may have to buy different wads, but they will fit.

[djohns28]

I actually bought some round balls to try and I couldn't get them to fit right. Tried a different wads and ended up disappointed with the results. It seemed like the two balls pushed one another apart like balls on a pool table. At 30 yards one might be fairly close to point of aim but the other was at least 10" off in a random direction. Penetration was not quite what I was hoping for either. I really want a single 3/4 to 1 ounce chunk of lead to fit in a shot cup like lead shot.

[megasupermagnum]

I actually bought some round balls to try and I couldn't get them to fit right. Tried a different wads and ended up disappointed with the results. It seemed like the two balls pushed one another apart like balls on a pool table. At 30 yards one might be fairly close to point of aim but the other was at least 10" off in a random direction. Penetration was not quite what I was hoping for either. I really want a single 3/4 to 1 ounce chunk of lead to fit in a shot cup like lead shot.

Many of us, myself included have loaded two and three ball loads with complete satisfaction. At least good enough to get them inside 6" at 50 yards. You can use something like the Lee 500-360-M, but it will not be accurate in any sense of the word, and it will not penetrate better than a ball because it will be hitting sideways. A 3/4 to 1 ounce 50 caliber bullet that will be stable without spin does not exist. If you get your hands on some un-slit wads you can experiment with a non discarding sabot that might work.

[lar45]

What about making a wood mold? Take a piece of hard wood and drill some holes at various depths, then ladel some lead in. You won't have a flat base, but they could be touched up on a belt sander or grinder... They'd be ugly, but would give you something to try.
Another option would be to get the Lee 500-360 HB as mentioned above and get a custom push through sizer in .490...

[dondiego]

Just use a wad for 1/2 oz shot and try only one .490 ball.

[djohns28]

Many of us, myself included have loaded two and three ball loads with complete satisfaction. At least good enough to get them inside 6" at 50 yards. You can use something like the Lee 500-360-M, but it will not be accurate in any sense of the word, and it will not penetrate better than a ball because it will be hitting sideways. A 3/4 to 1 ounce 50 caliber bullet that will be stable without spin does not exist. If you get your hands on some un-slit wads you can experiment with a non discarding sabot that might work.

what wad did you use and did you fold crimp or roll?