Which BACO money bullet for a 1885 High Wall 45-90?

[Apache Dan]

I have a 34" 45-90 Browning high wall, and I'm torn between a few different BACO money bullet molds. I know most shooters at Quigley (my end goal with this rifle is to compete there next year) are shooting money bullets and postells, but I don't know which would be best in my rifle. It's 1:18" twist so I can handle the heavier 530+ grain bullets, but idk if the rounded lube groove bullet is better than the standard, should I get 530, 540, 560 grain? I wish they offered sample packs of like 10 bullets of each so I could load them and try them. I'll be shooting black powder exclusively and not paper patching, so the lube groove is of some importance.

[country gent]

More important is the lube you but in the grooves, this becomes more important with true black powder. With black powder the lube has 2 functions, lu8bing the bullet on its trip down the barrel and keeping the fouling soft. In hot dry conditions and a 34" barrel this may become an issue.

I would recommend starting with SPG lube to see where your at. I am also a fan of emmerts improved a home made lube.

Emmerts Improved lube
40% unsalted Crisco vegetable shortening
50% beeswax
5% canola oil, olive oil can be used
5% anhydrous lanolin

You may want to consider a lube cookie under the worse conditions.

You want the fouling to be soft and grease like when shooting not dry and crusty feeling. A lube star should start to appear on the muzzle after 4-6 rounds, it should be soft and creamy feeling.

Some form of fouling control should be used, blow tube, or wiping.

[Chill Wills]

I have a 34" 45-90 Browning high wall, and I'm torn between a few different BACO money bullet molds.

It sounds like you have one of the few 325 Creedmoor rifles Browning made. The rifle you describe conforms to a Creedmoor.

I have a bit of experience with them having had two. They have long throats! A 45-90 with a long throat equals a LOT of powder capacity. I would recommend the BAC 540 M-1 The M-1 does not have a reduced driving band like most Money bullet designs with is a plus in your case. The M-1 helps fill the large, long throat. You will have a powder capacity in the mid 80"s like 84, 85 or 86 grains depending on powder lot. That is plenty-plus for your needs at the distances shot at the Q.
The 18 twist Badger barrel in the Browning Creedmoor, assuming it is a Creedmoor, will handle that 540 M-1 just fine.

That rifle, the M-1 bullet and some good load development with Swiss powder is the bases of as good (accurate) a BPCR rifle as there is from an over the counter stock rifle! And that is saying a lot. Have fun - be safe.

[Minerat]

As they say your gun will decide. I hate that statement cause you can spend a bunch of money on moulds figuring that out. A little research looking at the 2024 equipment list for the Desert International in AZ may give you a starting place. This link will get you to the 2024 data.

https://shilohrifle.com/forums/viewt...Desert#p352042

This is a breakdown of 2024 & 2025

https://shilohrifle.com/forums/viewt...Desert#p352772

You may have to be a member to see them.

[Apache Dan]

More important is the lube you but in the grooves, this becomes more important with true black powder. With black powder the lube has 2 functions, lu8bing the bullet on its trip down the barrel and keeping the fouling soft. In hot dry conditions and a 34" barrel this may become an issue.

I would recommend starting with SPG lube to see where your at. You may want to consider a lube cookie.

So I have used SPG in my 38-55 high wall and it worked fine in the winter, but summers here in Mesa are just way too hot for it. Local shooters recommended using 50/50 grease cookies of crisco and beeswax. Thats the new mixture I'll try, but haven't decided if I'll use cookies or not. I didn't have the wiggle room in 38-55 powder capacity to give it a try, but with 45-90 it sounds like I've got plenty of space to try it. I still have some spg bricks left, so maybe I'll use those in the winter if I wanted to.

It sounds like you have one of the few 325 Creedmoor rifles Browning made. The rifle you describe conforms to a Creedmoor.

I have a bit of experience with them having had two. They have long throats!

So I looked up the serial number with Browning and the only info they were able to pull up on it is what it says on the barrel: "Limited Series. Black powder cartridge rifle" I don't have it in-hand just yet, but that's good to know about the throats. I was hearing a lot of recommendations for the reduced band bullets. Ill ask a few friends for a couple of donations for a few bullets to test throat length to get my jam length and that'll point me in the direction for a proper bullet. It definitely would seem strange to seat a bullet with the lube grooves exposed. This is all still quite new to me, but I'm really enjoying the learning process. I might reach out to you directly if this indeed the same creedmoor rifle you speak of!

Thank you all for the replies. I didn't even know I got any, I guess my email notifications aren't turned on.

[Balrog006]

Not entirely sure what BACO Money molds or boolits are-but if you’re looking to test some various Lyman/NOE/Accurate .458 ones between 330gr and 545gr I could make you some samples if that’s of any use to you.

[Apache Dan]

Not entirely sure what BACO Money molds or boolits are

Buffalo Arms Co. They have their own line of big bore bullets called "money bullets".

I might take you up on that offer if need be.

[Delkal]

Wasn't BACO (Buffalo arms) the one who ripped off someone here with a defective mold and made him pay twice for shipping and a bogus inspection?

If I am getting things mixed up my apologies to BACO......

[Apache Dan]

No idea. I only found out they made molds earlier this year.

[M-Tecs]

Not entirely sure what BACO Money molds or boolits are-but if you’re looking to test some various Lyman/NOE/Accurate .458 ones between 330gr and 545gr I could make you some samples if that’s of any use to you.

The “Money” design is a custom bullet profile originally developed by Dan Theodore. Thru the years various mold makers have offered it.

http://bcsingleshot.com/DansStuff/DanTheodore.html

[Balrog006]

Buffalo Arms Co. They have their own line of big bore bullets called "money bullets".

I might take you up on that offer if need be.

Let me know, shoot a PM and I’ll give you a mold list to pick from. Wanting practice casting so I work for peanuts!