Thanks for all the comments. It just goes to show that while I have mainly been focused on the basics of producing functional bullets and loaded ammunition, there is still so much more to learn.
Thanks for all the comments. It just goes to show that while I have mainly been focused on the basics of producing functional bullets and loaded ammunition, there is still so much more to learn.
I'm watching this with interest. Round .454 over 30gr Pyrodex and lubed felt wad it shoots great.
I just bought a conversion cylinder for my 1858 Pietta New Army, and came up with some 45LC brass from another member. I just finished loading ten 45LC cases w/ 30gr Pyrodex, over powder card, lubed wad, and 454 round ball. I'm using LR primers BC that's all I have. After loaded and crimped, I dipped exposed part of ball in melted 50/50 mix of lamb tallow and beeswax (same as what used for felt wads).
Any thoughts from the group?
The easy way to slug a barrel is order slugs from Veral @ LBT Molds . They have a wire tip so you can push just in the barrel and then grap the wire and pull them out . I believe they come 10 in a pack and are not expensive . He has them for many calibers . I have used them for years with satisfaction . Just slide your cleaning rod ( with the T-type handle over the wire tip ) to tap them in the barrel . lightly oil first . Regards Paul
As a follow up to my post above, finally got to the range today to shoot them. They worked really well. I'd only loaded 15, but they all worked. Even though I used rifle primers, firing pin divot was nice and distinct. So I think I've found something to get me through the ammo shortage!
I love the weight, profile and look of that Lyman 454190. Unfortunately it doesn't carry enough lube for more than a cylinder (five shots) or so.
I'm shooting Big-Lube bullets from Mark Whyte. They are 5g too light (250 vs 255) and the profile is wrong historically, but I can shoot 50 rounds through my tightly fitted USFA single actions without any cylinder binding.
Dave
Great read, great pics, and outstanding video! Well done.
Too bad the Big Lube mold drops bullets so large in diameter, I would have bough a mold.
My SAECO #955 drops at .456” and after Lubri-sizing down to .452” the crimp groove is virtually smeared away. Sizing in a LEE nose first sizing die save the crimp groove but causes huge fins or flashings to hang from the base edge. I haven’t thought of a way to remove the fins that doesn’t damage the base edges. Simple cutting with a razor blade or box cutter damaged the base edges.
The Big Lube 45 Colt bullets I'm buying from Mark Whyte are offered in .454" and .452". Since the chamber mouths on all my USFA single actions are right at .452" those are the bullets I order. Squeezed down to .452" doesn't seem to reduce the lube carrying groove and I have fired 50 rounds of black powder loads behind these bullets with no binding of the cylinder.
YMMV,
Dave
I haven't actually had too much trouble with fouling. I'm using a home brew mix of beeswax, crisco and olive oil and last time out I put 20 rounds through it with no binding or other problems. I'm not sure if I could get away with 50 rounds, but I think 30 or so would be no problem, and that's with no additional lubrication.
BP | Bronze Point | IMR | Improved Military Rifle | PTD | Pointed |
BR | Bench Rest | M | Magnum | RN | Round Nose |
BT | Boat Tail | PL | Power-Lokt | SP | Soft Point |
C | Compressed Charge | PR | Primer | SPCL | Soft Point "Core-Lokt" |
HP | Hollow Point | PSPCL | Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" | C.O.L. | Cartridge Overall Length |
PSP | Pointed Soft Point | Spz | Spitzer Point | SBT | Spitzer Boat Tail |
LRN | Lead Round Nose | LWC | Lead Wad Cutter | LSWC | Lead Semi Wad Cutter |
GC | Gas Check |