The 45 colt seems to be a more problematic round than the other revolver calibers, and I believe because of the larger than normal chambers in a majority of revolvers. So, when a customer who's favorite toy is the 45 colt, asked if I would copy a commercial cast bullet which he's had great success with, but can no longer get, I asked him to send samples. He said that this light bullet out shoots anything he has ever used, in any 45 colt revolver or levergun, and even performs well in 45 ACP. I copied it with a few subtle modifications to enhance accuracy even more, and am offering molds at 20% off for a while. There will be two weights in 45 caliber, one weight in 44 caliber to start. (The customer said the 225 grain, PLAIN BASE, groups, 4 inches at 100 yards from his unaltered lever guns, which is stunning for such a short bullet.) What I'm offering will beat that ragged or I wouldn't be writing about it. -- If you get a mold, I would appreciate all feedback you'll send me on it, because if it isn't a steller performer, I'll axe it off my offerings immediately, like I have been doing for 30 years since I first started making molds. Trust me though, I know it will be an accurate bullet, and here's why.
First its .270 diameter meplat, in 45 cal, is big enough to be quite effective on game if well placed, and exceptionally good for small game, at low speeds, as it will punch a half inch hole through when driven at 800 fps. That will kill small game instantly with an anywhere chest hit and most places in the body. At 1000 fps wound diameters will run close to 3/4 inch and at 1400 fps, about an inch, making it deadly on any big game with relitively decent hits. These are far smaller wounds than my WFN when driven at equal speed, but deadly never the less. If it didn't offer this fairly decent killing meplat, I wouln't have redesigned the rest of the bullet. Now heres the glory part. The relitively slim meplat sits on a short graceful ogive that's only .250 long, with a tiny tapered shoulder from ogive out to body diameter, so it will run through a levergun as slick as working the lever with no cartridges, and feed smooth in auto pistols. The trim ogive also slides through the air with minimal turbulance, while the lightweight nose and aerodynamic form, does wonders for accuracy by putting minimal side thrust on the bearing surface which guides the bullet. (These are the things I see and look for in bullet designs, after 30 years of mold making. A good bullet design is as visually evident to me as a rat nanny in a suger bowl.)
The customer who sent the samples wanted a 225 grain bullet copied, but it came out 230 gr with Wheel weight alloy and my tiny modifications to strengthen and enhance the bearing and lubrication. Everything about the bullet design is pointed toward wringing accuracy from a light weight. If you've been wanting a really light, cheap to shoot, 45 revolver/carbine bullet, this is it.
When I copied the light bullet it was with intentions of also making it in heavier weights, so I immediately cut a 250 gr with the same nose, and this is the one that really excites me. It has a bearing surface slightly shorter but very similar to the Keith 44 SWC, but the tiny nose weight will enhance it's accuracy potential dramatically, and, the 250 gr weight is necessary to make most fixed sight revolvers shoot to the sights. (I'll adjust weight to whatever is wanted if you have a gun that needs more or less weight to shoot to the sights.) I haven't cut a 44 caliber yet as of this writing, but in 240 gr it will be slightly longer than the 45 250, and more accurate.
For starters I'm offering this bullet in 230 and 250 gr. 45 caliber, and in 240 gr 44 caliber. I can make them heavy as one wants but it's not a design for heavy weight use, nor is it a heavy duty game thumper like my other designs. These are designed to be used at low to moderate velocities, and plain base, though I will cut gas check on request. The customer who sent samples shoots his lightweight, 230 gr, at 800 to 1000 max in revolvers and up to 1200 fps in rifles. My altered design will do better, but, to be sure you aren't dissapointed, plan on keeping velocities low if you choose the lightweight. But wring it out by all means! Just don't complain if it doesn't make a 45 Swift revolver. The 250 gr 45, and 240 44 are another matter. They carry heavy lubrication, and strong drive bands, which I know will stand along side the best plain base bullets ever made in similar weights, regarding accuracy and velocity potential, and they will kill big game clean and quick when velocity is pushed up to 1400 fps plus. Keep in mind though, that I'm not selling these as the ultimate big game killers. My other offerings meet that criteria, and can't be improved on.
Again, the goal with these is. Steller accuracy for the light weights, with superb plainbase performance, and decent but not dramatic killing punch. A year round packing and plinking bullet par excellence.
If you want to try one of these molds, email me at LBTisAccuracy@Imbris.net and do your ordering direct by email, as I won't be putting it in my catalog till I get a flood of good reports. With the 20% discount the price will be $100 for a two cavity, or $140 for a 4 cavity, plus $10 shipping to any US address.