lee 457 500 3r

[hiram]

Has anyone had accuracy success with the lee 457 500 3r bullet?

[Leftoverdj]

Hiram, I had to go look to confirm that there was such a bullet. It must be brand new. The thing that jumped out at me is that it is plain base. Right off the bat, that means that it is limited to black powder speeds.  Next thing I noticed is that it is .459. That is good. The Lee .457s often cast too small for some rifles.

Anyway, I can't answer your question. The mould is only about $13 bucks so it should be worth a try. I'd try it were it GC. Makes no sense to me to design a bullet to shoot flatter and then handicap it by making it plain base.

But, then, a lot of stuff that Lee does makes no sense to me.

[Longcruise]

Makes no sense to me to design a bullet to shoot flatter and then handicap it by making it plain base.

I suspect that the bullet is specifically targeting (pun intended :grin: ) the black powder shooters.  Some of the BPCR sillouette shooters seem to be getting away from the round noses and shooting bullets with a bit more aerodynamic shape to them.  Most however seem to be in the 520 to 550 grain size.

Lee has had this bullet out for at least a year now.  It was discussed and cussed on the old NEF board.  some nef shooters thougnt it inaccurate and at least one shooter reported keyholes.  I'd be inclined to attribute those results more to NEF barrel quality than to the lee bullet design.

If you post questions on this bullet on the BPCR forum you might find some shooting experience with it.

[hiram]

Thanks foir the feedback.

One thing I noticed is that my postell from NEI has 4 bands/4 grooves.  I am having trouble casting 20:1 but not wheel wgt or another hard alloy.

The Lee bullet has 3 bands/3 grooves in what looks like the same space--about ,600".   These grooves and bands are therefore wider in order to take up the same space.   I am going to order it and also, if it is plain base, the Lee 340.

Thanks

[Smokin Joe]

I've used it in 30:1 and 40:1 since it came out last year. It seems to work well with SPG lube or, for smokeless loads, with Lee Liquid Alox. If you use a hard alloy, it will drop out at .4595"

[Longcruise]

Joe, What are you shooting them with and what kind of loads are you liking?

I'm thinking of trying this bullet in my 1885 replica.

[Smokin Joe]

I shoot 2 H&R Buffalo Classics, one in .45-70 and the other in .45-90 (2.4). I use SR-4759 for smokeless in both at about 1200" with either SPG or the liquid alox.
 For BPCR, if I'm not paper patching, I use the 2.4 with 75 gn Swiss 1 1/2, .030 veggie wad, SPG cookie and another veggie wad. The bullet is seated to just cover all the grease grooves (the H&R has a very short throat).
  Some guys have reported stability problems with this bullet when using the H&R/NEF twist of 1:20. I haven't had the problem as long as the velocity is above 1150 or so.........at 500 yds they still go through the target point first.

[Longcruise]

Joe, any chance I could get you to measure the diameter of the bore ride on those with some of the various tin/lead mixes?  Wheel weights too if ya have em?

[Smokin Joe]

Yep, it'll take a few. I'll get back to you.

[Smokin Joe]

Hard alloy (too hard to mark with fingernail):

All bands .4594
Bore Ride .450

40:1 alloy

All bands .458
Bore Ride .448-.449

[Steelbanger]

I use this bullet too. Mine are cast very hard: 2/1 stereotype to wheelweights and weigh 460 grains (+or–.2 gr.). I use them in two of my 45-70's, a Ruger No.1 & an H & R Buff. Classic.

I'm still developing loads for the H & R but two weeks ago it put 5 into just over an inch @ 50 yds., first three in one large hole, with the open sights. My powder for the H & R is XMP 5744 from Accurate.

The Ruger with this bullet is strictly for plinking at 200 yds and I take it out on summer evenings so the boys can shoot at the poor, beat-up ram. Everybody hits with the Ruger and all are really impresssed with the size of the bullet! For this rifle I use SR4759.

In both rifles I size them down to .459 and have never seen a wobbly impact on the target. As cast, they are only slightly over the finished size.

[Longcruise]

Hard alloy (too hard to mark with fingernail):

All bands .4594
Bore Ride .450

40:1 alloy

All bands .458
Bore Ride .448-.449

Joe, thanks :grin:

I'm going to take some measurements and see how it will fit my 1885.  I've never slugged the bore :oops:   If it's a potential good fit I might pick one up, after all I only have two 500 grain molds for my 45-70.  That's not enough is it? :grin:

[DPRinks]

I use this bullet, although I modify it to take a gas check[I do this to all my rifle bullets] and have had good results, 2" at 50 yds. not bad for my 64 year old eyes with open sights, have a mount and 2x scope on order, and may have better results to report later.
Don