Help in choosing 240g .44 truncated cone mould

[Bob58]

After shooting several of Penn Bullets cast .44 caliber 240 grain truncated cone bullets, I'm convinced that they're more accurate in my S&W forty-fours than the Keith style 240 grain LSWC.

So - I'd like to buy a mould for a .44 caliber (.430 or .431 inch diameter cast with Lyman #2 alloy) 240 grain truncated cone bullet, preferrably two cavity. Has anybody had any experience with this type bullets, and if good, from what mould? Where can I purchase one?

Thanks for the help.

And if I'm seeking the wrong bullet (240 grain .44 caliber cast bullet that's more accurate than the LSWC), let me know what would be a better choice than the truncated cone. I'm fortunate enough to have a safe place where I can shoot out to 200 yards, and see bullet strike, so I'd like to be able to do this as accurately as possible with a plain base 240 grain bullet.

Bob58

[Heavy lead]

If you have a particuliar boolit you would like to duplicate go to mountain moulds website and design and order it. Sounds like you know what you want, you should be able to duplicate it there and have it in a month or so.

[crowbeaner]

Try the Saeco or RCBS boolits; they shoot well in a variety of guns.

[44man]

Bob is correct. There is not a single semi wad cutter in any caliber that I can make shoot as tight as the LBT style.
The RCBS is a SWC and most Saeco boolits are not right until you get to the 300 gr. Ditto the Lee molds with the 310 gr. Too heavy for the smith because they need hot loads to be accurate.
For long range, the S&W prefers a 250 to 265 gr boolit.
Go to Ranch Dog and buy the TLC432-265-RF mold. It has proven extremely accurate when lubed with Felix or another soft lube. Much better then tumble lubed.
Marko is using my RD boolit and he shoots those little spring water bottles off hand at 86 yd's with open sights, using his S&W. (Farthest we can see a target from the ladder stand.) We practice for deer out of the stand.
It has shot 1-1/4" at 100 from my Ruger.
Best bang for the buck I have found! :bigsmyl2:
Here is how it shoots from our revolvers. I shot the can at 100 and was hitting low so I aimed higher for the last shot. I got tired of walking down to set the can back up, 4 shots was enough! [smilie=l:

[44man]

Hey fellas, show me your SWC groups! :bigsmyl2:

[primersp]

try the rcbs 44-240-sil

[44man]

try the rcbs 44-240-sil
It is close to being right but in my experience it is hard to get an RCBS mold the right diameter, most are under size. Mine drops .429" as does my 245 RCBS. It is a matter of luck to get a mold cut with a new cherry. Same as my 500 gr RCBS BPCR boolit that dropped at .457".
We use .431" in the .44.
But then you should show us what the boolit does by posting some pictures. That is the best way for a new fella to make a decision.

[primersp]

i agree but with the 44 3 ofthem 44-240 sil,44-250 and a lyman 429640,429215 cast all 430 with range scrap
for my 629 or marlin 94 430 is fine
but the heavy 429640 tumbled at 100 with the marlin

[bobthenailer]

i have the saeco # 420 a 200 gr tc bullet very accurate at 25 yards out of several 44 mags but looses a little at 50+ yards to the heaver bullets. i use the #420 bullet in the 800 to 1300 fps range for 95% of my shooting . i also have the rcbs 240 gr gc sil bullet which is the most accurate cast bullet out of my 44s at 50+ yards , but ive only tried it with gas checks installed. also the bullet will weigh about 10 to 15 grs more if you dont use linotype, which i dont!. i think i would try the saeco #428 a 240 gr tc they also have a gc version the #424. it seemes that tc bullets are extreemely accurate in the few designes i have

[archmaker]

I have used the Lee 255 SWC with good results in my Ruger. It was what I shoot IHMSA with, and was my favorite accurate load.

Did not load them hot, about 1100fps.

They were accurate enough that competing against local guys after a bowling pin match that I was able to knock over the bowling pin before they could, out to 175yds. (Head to head, loser had to walk down range and set it up) ::D

I also agree with everyone else on heavy bullets, they were the most accurate, with all rounds touching at 55yds. But to much recoil, for competation.

[anachronism]

If you don't mind gaschecks, try Lyman 429244

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=000152660244

[Bass Ackward]

After shooting several of Penn Bullets cast .44 caliber 240 grain truncated cone bullets, I'm convinced that they're more accurate in my S&W forty-fours than the Keith style 240 grain LSWC.

So - I'd like to buy a mould for a .44 caliber (.430 or .431 inch diameter cast with Lyman #2 alloy) 240 grain truncated cone bullet, preferrably two cavity. Has anybody had any experience with this type bullets, and if good, from what mould? Where can I purchase one?

Thanks for the help.

And if I'm seeking the wrong bullet (240 grain .44 caliber cast bullet that's more accurate than the LSWC), let me know what would be a better choice than the truncated cone. I'm fortunate enough to have a safe place where I can shoot out to 200 yards, and see bullet strike, so I'd like to be able to do this as accurately as possible with a plain base 240 grain bullet.

Bob58


Bob,

Every single bullet design out there can work. Trying to use a front heavy olgival at low velocity is fairly useless as is trying to over drive a semi wadcutter. So you either must learn how to adapt to the bullet you have ..... OR pick a design that works where you want it. The bullet design that will work "better" is one that performs with your variables at the velocity / pressure level you want to shoot it.

Evidently, your testing has shown you is that the Penn style bullet is for you. So my advice is not to argue with success and stick with the design.

I have duplicated that bullet, so I have the measurements here somewhere. Send me an email and we can work on it.

[GabbyM]

I've the Saeco 240-TCFP in a four cavity. Good bullet but if you want to size to .431" ,as you posted, you'll be stretching expectations with a Saeco. Which tend to run small. For a two cavity I'd go with one from Mountain Mold. About the same price as a Saeco and it will be what you order.
I'll post the dimensions of the Saeco 240 gr TC #428.

Using WW + 2% tin I”ll set the weight at 255 grains to maintain close to the dimensions of the 240 grain with 2/6 alloy.

245 grains WW + 2% tin Truncated Cone (TC)

As cast dia. .432”
front band length .060”
nose length .300”
Plain base , equal length bands
.045” long crimp grove
meplat diameter 65%
grove to band length ratio 0.6
grove angle 55%

the overall length shows up as .700 with a band length of .1386 with a single lube grove.
My Saeco sample has an O.L. Of .710” and band width of .145”. so I'll call that close enough.

Of course you have to decide if you want to resist temptation to modify the dimensions to suite your shooting needs.