[vart]

My dad is an experienced reloader. He casts bullets for a major supplier of cast bullets for BPCR competitions and has taught me how to cast bullets for myself. He gave me a Cimarron Arms 1873 Colt clone a year or so ago and 250rds of cowboy loads after he bought the pistol, played with it briefly and decided he wanted to concentrate on BPCR competition.

I loved the gun and it rekindled my passion for single-actions, so I ordered a Ruger Blackhawk Bisley stainless with the 5.5" barrel for my new woods carry gun. My dad said that when I got the new pistol, to get a bullet mold and I could crank out as many bullets as I wanted with his pots and extra lead(he produces around 40k bullets a year).

However, his expertise is with rifle bullets and didn't give me much guidance as to what bullet mold to order.

He has pounds of 200gr round nose plinking bullets, so I need a mold for a heavy woods carry round, which is why I bought the pistol. I'm thinking of something in the area of 300gr. and the flat nose design seems to be popular with the Buffalo Bore hard cast loads.

I've also heard the Rugers tend to have tighter chambers so a .451 is a better choice than the .452 or .453.

Total newb here so looking for advice on bullet design and diameter as well as a good source to order the mold. Dad prefers Buffalo Arms, of course.

 

[Fox]

Be sure to have the barrel and cylinders mic'd to know what size mold and sizing die you need.

The .45 Colt was originally .454 caliber, but gun manufacturers have gone to .452 to match the .45 ACP bore.

 

[Fox]

http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/bullet-casting/

I would advise getting the Lyman cast bullet handbook and the Lyman black powder handbook with it.

I use to shoot .44-40 WCF with the Lyman 427666 bullet lined with Lyman's Blackpowder Gold lubricant over a compressed load of 33gr volume of Pyrodex P in Winchester brass with CCI primers.

You might consider Pyrodex P load for the .45 Colt cartridge.

 

[fredj338]

Custom molds by Accurate allow just about anything you want. The lee 6cav are a real bargain but you are limited to what they have. Their exc 300gr fp is a great bulllet but imo, doesnt need a gas check at handgun speeds. Check out Accurate bullet molds. Tom is a great guy to work with & can make you just about anything you want.
http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=45-280C-D.png
If you dont mind a 2cav mold, the rcbs 270gr swc is a terrific mold, very accurate. I had one hollow pointed in one cav. I a tually prefer a bullet in the 270-285gr range, a bit more vel with less recoil. My RBH ss 4 5/8" is one of my backpack guns for the woods. Not much stopping a 285gr lswc or lfp at just 1000fps.

 

[SJ 40]

I agree with Fred on his choice of weights and would recommend the 270-280 grain choice,this in the past has proven it' self accurate in all of my various 45 colt chambered guns. SJ 40

http://www.rcbs.com/Products/Bullet-Casting/Bullet-Moulds/Pistol/Bullet-Mould-45-270-SAA-424.aspx

 

[vart]

Great advice! Thanks!

 

[Kentguy]

I am a bit partial to the 255g Elmer Keith LSWC myself. I to have a Cimarron Model P 7th Cavalry Single Action Army (Standard Blue) - http://www.cimarron-firearms.com/pr...ary-replicas/u-s-cavalry-1/model-p-u-s-cavalry-7-1-2-45-colt-standard-blue.html

These bullets run very well in the revolver over top W231. I purchased my bullets but there are molds out there for this style and grain bullet. Just another thought in your process.

 

[fredj338]

I am a bit partial to the 255g Elmer Keith LSWC myself. I to have a Cimarron Model P 7th Cavalry Single Action Army (Standard Blue) - http://www.cimarron-firearms.com/pr...ary-replicas/u-s-cavalry-1/model-p-u-s-cavalry-7-1-2-45-colt-standard-blue.html

These bullets run very well in the revolver over top W231. I purchased my bullets but there are molds out there for this style and grain bullet. Just another thought in your process.

If I was going traditional 45 Colt, nothing wrong with 255gr RNFP @ 850fps. He wants a heavy woods load & a SWC or FP are a bit better hole punchers. If you want to stay on the 255gr range, the Lee RNFP is an exc design.

 

[Kentguy]

"If I was going traditional 45 Colt, nothing wrong with 255gr RNFP @ 850fps. He wants a heavy woods load & a SWC or FP are a bit better hole punchers. If you want to stay on the 255gr range, the Lee RNFP is an exc design."

Yes I agree.

 

[Colorado4Wheel]

Brass Accurate mold

 

[happie2shoot]

Before you spend a lot of money on molds here is
some things you may want to consider,

This will tell you how to fix the dimensions of that new
revolver, I have done many of them, that's what I got
paid for. It will also tell you how to cast great boolits, better
than any book I have read, I have read most of them.

It's in North Idaho too.

http://www.lbtmoulds.com/books.shtml

Here are two molds that will shoot great, expect under an
inch at 25 yards. With the 300 gr one I have shot 2 1/16''
for six shots at 100 yards with six shots, it has been a great
boolit in every 45/454 I have shot in. That load went over
1500 fps in a 7.5'' SRH 454.

https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/0000690349/6-cavity-mold-452-255-rf

https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/0000690358/double-cavity-mold-452-255-rf

https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/0000690228/6-cavity-mold-c452-300-rf

https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/0000690359/double-cavity-mold-c452-300-rf

LBT also makes some of the best molds you will ever use, but they ain't cheap, I have his molds for everything from a 357 to
a 475 Linebaugh, I never lend them and keep them under lock
and key.

After saying all of that I will bet you that the two lee molds will give
you everything you want.

The 300gr has a .375 meplat, it makes really big holes in meat, you will be able to do 1300fps + in that 5.5''.

The 255 rf has a .320'' meplat, it does a good job too.

 

[nitesit(+ an e)]

Nineteen bucks. Good woods bullet. Accurate enough. Did I mention that the mold is nineteen bucks?

https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/0000690356/double-cavity-mold-452-252-swc

 

[vart]

I've never worked with gas checked bullets. What does that entail? Looks like a separate component that is added?

 

[SJ 40]

Heres the process. SJ 40

 

[happie2shoot]

You don't have to use a GC on that boolit, if you
push the velocity you will want to use it, probably.

Have got some of my best groups with GC boolits
with out the GC, even over 1300 fps.

You don't know until you try.

 

[vart]

Was ready to get the mold, then realized it is aluminum... I've used only RCBS steel molds and am not sure I would be comfortable using an aluminum mold...

 

[vart]

Meh... I ordered the mold and some handles. Went with the Lee Precision C452-300-Rf Double Cavity Mold for now. Will see how I like the aluminum mold. Will also take some changes in habit as far as how fast I can pour and the rhythm I use to ensure the mold stays at the perfect temp to avoid voids or frosting...

 

[Benchrst]

I have the 452-255 and have cast hundreds with it, my Vaquero is very appreciative

I've only cast with alum, and while it's possible the cadence might be different than other materials, it does work very well.

 

[nitesit(+ an e)]

Vart,

If you are also loading for your 1873 SAA you have absolutely no reason to try to get maximum velocity or even use a gas-check bullet.

KISS

Powder coat some cast LSWCs for your Ruger and you are golden.

 

[vart]

I have plenty of cowboy loads for the 1873; will be casting for the new Ruger. Will likely get another mold for the 255gr for target shooting for the Ruger and maybe the 1873.