What's so special about a "Keith" boolit ?

[Wolfdog91]

I hear alot of stuff about "Keith" Boolits and was curious about what makes them so special. Other than being a design by Elmer Keith

[mehavey]

http://www.lasc.us/Fryxell_Book_Chapter_12_KeithSWC.htm

>
> drew up what he felt was the perfect bullet for his pet .44 Special. The meplat was 65% of the bullet diameter
> (this meplat and ogive was taken directly from Heath's 429336, Keith would ultimately settle on approximately
> 70% for later designs in other calibers). The ogive had a double radius to insure stable long-range flight.
> The crimp groove was beveled to match the profile of the case when crimped, for a firmer grip. The crimp groove
> was located to seat as much of the bullet outside of the case as possible
>
> provided match-grade accuracy, cut clean holes in target paper, delivered excellent long-range (e.g. half mile)
>accuracy, and crushed big, leaky holes in meat. In short, it did all the things Elmer wanted his sixguns to do,
> and it did them all superbly.
>

[cwtebay]

http://www.lasc.us/Fryxell_Book_Chapter_12_KeithSWC.htm

>
> drew up what he felt was the perfect bullet for his pet .44 Special. The meplat was 65% of the bullet diameter
> (this meplat and ogive was taken directly from Heath's 429336, Keith would ultimately settle on approximately
> 70% for later designs in other calibers). The ogive had a double radius to insure stable long-range flight.
> The crimp groove was beveled to match the profile of the case when crimped, for a firmer grip. The crimp groove
> was located to seat as much of the bullet outside of the case as possible
>
> provided match-grade accuracy, cut clean holes in target paper, delivered excellent long-range (e.g. half mile)
>accuracy, and crushed big, leaky holes in meat. In short, it did all the things Elmer wanted his sixguns to do,
> and it did them all superbly.
>

Thank you for posting this again. I finally downloaded it so I can enjoy the read on a flight!

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[megasupermagnum]

It's a few designs where you know what you are going to get. All the homework is done for you. They are accurate at very long range (well, the 45 version might not be), and they kill well enough. They are a design that shoots good in any gun in good condition, and load data is very exact. You can say I want X fps, and someone can probably tell you what and how much powder to use. I don't know any other bullet with that kind of omnipresence.

[dverna]

It's a few designs where you know what you are going to get. All the homework is done for you. They are accurate at very long range (well, the 45 version might not be), and they kill well enough. They are a design that shoots good in any gun in good condition, and load data is very exact. You can say I want X fps, and someone can probably tell you what and how much powder to use. I don't know any other bullet with that kind of omnipresence.

For me that is the big attraction...the design works and is forgiving. Maybe not the most accurate ( vs a wadcutter at 50 yards or less) or as thumpy (if that is a word) at knocking down critters, but a wonderful compromise.

[gwpercle]

Thanks mehavey ... I printed two copies , putting one with my copy of "Sixguns" .
The story without all the "fake news" stuff and misinformation that you see floating around .

Gary

[Cosmic_Charlie]

It's a bit heavier than the iconic 240 grainer. I found it shoots the best with conventional lube, pan lube in my case. Over 7 of Unique in a .44 special or 9 in a .44 mag and you have a marvelous everyday round. My cast iron RCBS mold drops them right at 431" so I'm able to shoot them as cast.

[murf205]

The thing I love about it is it’s ability to be accurate and remain stabilized at low velocity and high velocity as well. I have shot it at 700 FPS and in a 14” contender, it is still accurate at
More than twice that. It penetrates straight and the critters I’ve taken were bang flops. Contrary to its appearance, it is accurate in some revolvers that could actually use some forcing cone work. Elmer Keith got it right.

[Char-Gar]

It's a few designs where you know what you are going to get. All the homework is done for you. They are accurate at very long range (well, the 45 version might not be), and they kill well enough. They are a design that shoots good in any gun in good condition, and load data is very exact. You can say I want X fps, and someone can probably tell you what and how much powder to use. I don't know any other bullet with that kind of omnipresence.

That about sums it up!

[44MAG#1]

Keith made the hits on 3 flying Eagles all with 5 shots all around 125 yards with his 4 inch M29 with the 250 "Keith" bullets.

[white eagle]

what more needs to be said
good enough

[Green Frog]

The only question is whether anyone is currently making a Keith style bullet for the 32? I know there was a group buy of Lee moulds like that done many years ago, but where can I get one now??

Froggie

[megasupermagnum]

The only question is whether anyone is currently making a Keith style bullet for the 32? I know there was a group buy of Lee moulds like that done many years ago, but where can I get one now??

Froggie

Elmer Keith never designed a bullet for a 32 caliber handgun.

I took his general description and design requirements for his 44 caliber, and designed the Accurate 31-137K. It is a good shooting bullet, and the only thing I would change would be to shorten the nose to .400" or even .390", so that it could fit in an LCR.

[jreidthompson1]

Looks like yes


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[slohunter]

Lyman's 429421 mold is the most accurate "Keith" style bullet I have ever loaded.

[Mk42gunner]

The only question is whether anyone is currently making a Keith style bullet for the 32? I know there was a group buy of Lee moulds like that done many years ago, but where can I get one now??

Froggie

I remember reading somewhere that Elmer Keith thought the Ideal 3118 did about all that could be done for the .32-20 so he saw no need to design a SWC for it.

Also in his first book, he praised the bullet designed by Ashley Haines (which I think is the 313445) for the .32 S&W Long. Mine hasn't been all that accurate, although he pushed it a lot harder than I am willing to push the little I frames.

Robert

[lightman]

http://www.lasc.us/Fryxell_Book_Chapter_12_KeithSWC.htm

>
> drew up what he felt was the perfect bullet for his pet .44 Special. The meplat was 65% of the bullet diameter
> (this meplat and ogive was taken directly from Heath's 429336, Keith would ultimately settle on approximately
> 70% for later designs in other calibers). The ogive had a double radius to insure stable long-range flight.
> The crimp groove was beveled to match the profile of the case when crimped, for a firmer grip. The crimp groove
> was located to seat as much of the bullet outside of the case as possible
>
> provided match-grade accuracy, cut clean holes in target paper, delivered excellent long-range (e.g. half mile)
>accuracy, and crushed big, leaky holes in meat. In short, it did all the things Elmer wanted his sixguns to do,
> and it did them all superbly.
>

Beside this, they just plain work well. Fast or slow they are accurate.

[LenH]

I have the Lyman 454-424 in a double cavity and a 4 cavity clone by NOE, I have been shooting this bullet since the 1970's. I has always been a very accurate projectile.

[Wayne Smith]

Froggie, I have that 32 Keith group buy mold. We aren't that far apart!

[Green Frog]

Froggie, I have that 32 Keith group buy mold. We aren't that far apart!

Wayne,

Would you be interested in selling, swapping, or loaning that mould? The only other example I know of for sure is with friend Dale53 and it’s a long way to Cincinnatti!

Froggie