Bridgeport (BGI CO.) 44 Winchester Mold

[Savvy Jack]

I finally picked up a bullet mold that directly replicated Winchester’s original 44 WCF lead bullet. I have been watching out for an original Winchester mold but they are few and far between.

This Bridgeport mold is of the same design as Winchester, cira 1882 4th model design, but does NOT incorporate the raised driving band as the 4th model as well as the Lyman designs.

The lead bullet drops at .424" @ 208gr. Looks exactly like Winchester’s 200gr lead bullet design.

Forum says I have exceeded my picture quota so Information can be seen on the website. I tried to post a direct photo link but it says invalid file. Oh well...I tried.

Bridgeport Mold - https://sites.google.com/view/44winc...t-bullet-molds

Winchester 4th Model Mold - https://sites.google.com/view/44winc...r-bullet-molds

[Green Frog]

Congrats! Are you actually loading ammo with bullets from that mould? If so, .424” diam may be a little skinny. Although soft (pure) lead is commonly used with these, especially with BP loadings, I’d be tempted to add a pinch of tin to the mix to grow the bullets a little.

Froggie

[HWooldridge]

Good deal! I'm glad to see you were able to get usable slugs out of that mold.

A lot of the older guns are on the tight side; my 44-40 Colt from 1904 slugs around .425 - I expect the manufactured bore sizes grew over the years for whatever reason.

[Savvy Jack]

Congrats! Are you actually loading ammo with bullets from that mould? If so, .424” diam may be a little skinny. Although soft (pure) lead is commonly used with these, especially with BP loadings, I’d be tempted to add a pinch of tin to the mix to grow the bullets a little.

Froggie

Yes Sir, I also have that information on the website here: https://sites.google.com/view/44winc...g-introduction

Congrats! Are you actually loading ammo with bullets from that mould? If so, .424” diam may be a little skinny. Although soft (pure) lead is commonly used with these, especially with BP loadings, I’d be tempted to add a pinch of tin to the mix to grow the bullets a little.

Froggie

I do plan on testing some of these loads in the PressuretraceII and compare the pressures with the larger .428" bullets using the same charges. The "testing barrel" bore, however, is .429". I did test some Winchester .4255" JSP bullets and the pressures were much lower than larger Speer .429" diameter JSP bullets....again using a .429" bore. Accuracy for the smaller .4255" JSP were much the same as the larger .429" JSP bullets by Speer....the 4425 SJHP to be exact. Same bullet listed in Lyman's 49th for such loads.