Author Topic: Soft lead Bullets with concave bases? (Read 534 times)

MoonGlow · « **on:** July 11, 2004, 02:20:50 PM »

Both my Pard and I have old rifles 45-70s that are BP only. We're interested in finding companies that are making soft lead 20/1 bullets with the concave bases that allow for expansion. Anyone know any links that will set us up?
I also have an original '81- 38/55 that has slugged out to .382. What are my options besides using gas checks?

wills · « **Reply #1 on:** July 11, 2004, 04:18:15 PM »

That is a new one on me. Most BPCR shooters I know shoot a flat based boolit with one or two wads. I suggest you get a .45 mold and make your own. Most commercial cast are way too hard for black powder.

Smokin Joe · « **Reply #2 on:** July 11, 2004, 04:24:11 PM »

I agree with wills ....Lee makes a cheap mold for the 405 hollow base that shoots great in my NEF and H&R. It mikes .459

Lead pot · « **Reply #3 on:** July 11, 2004, 05:01:54 PM »

MoonGlow.

I swage hollow base and cup base soft (pure lead)bullets. I fill the bases with Crisco and a wax paper wad over the powder and deep seat the bullet for it does not have a step in the nose. The bullet engraves the lans about .005. The bullets don't have a lube groove.
They shoot very good with no lead fouling and the powder fouling is moist.
The problem with a hollow base bullet you have to do away with the wad,and heavy powder load,it deforms the base or it will blow the skirts out and you will have accuracy problems.

If you load normally with a compressed powder load and a .030 or .060 wad over the powder that will deform the base and you might be lucky to hit the paper at 100 yards.

Kurt

MoonGlow · « **Reply #4 on:** July 12, 2004, 05:42:36 AM »

It was my understanding that the scooped base vs flat base allowed the bullet to expand to fill lands and grooves - improving accuracy? Again these are not new rifles - been over the mountain, so to speak.

Ray Newman · « **Reply #5 on:** July 12, 2004, 09:02:50 AM »

Moon Glow: Pb Pot is correct.

Too heavy a powder charge & the skirt or base of the hollow/cupped base bullet will blow out upon exiting the muzzle.

Same thing as what happens w/ a minie ball is shot from a musket w/ a heavy charge.

W/ such a bullet, you need to take the time to carefully tinker w/ your loads.

If you know the bore e & groove dimensions, I would carefully peruse the catalogues & call the various mould makers to find a bullet that will fit.

Also if the bullet is not that undersized when compared to the bore/groove da, seating it further out into the land (if this is possible) & a soft9er) could very well cause the bullet to obturate & fill the rifling.

Ray Newman · « **Reply #6 on:** July 12, 2004, 09:15:33 AM »

For over-sized moulds, I would 1st try:

www.buffaloarms.com

http://www.neihandtools.com/

Or Paul Jones, a custom mould maker, whose moulds are very hard to beat....

http://www.pauljonesmoulds.com/