Reeder Custom Guns - Yep working with the Ruger Old Army BP

WB
Yep working with the Ruger Old Army BP
Wednesday, November 20, 2019, 13:29

I know the round balls are .454 but I had ot size bullets to .452 before they would fit. Pure plumbers lead mind you. I made up some .458" Lee 340 gr. RN and some SSK 270 gr. FN that I think were .454 and sized both to .452.

The 340 gr. would slide out of the cylinder on the second shot in recoil. They went about 750 fps with as much 777 as I could get under it and make fit. The 270 gr. ran 900 fps with a .44 Special or .41 Mag. case level full used as a measure. (Both have same capacity). That's what I used to shoot that little hog. It BARELY had enough to get into the inner cavity. The lead no doubt mashed out and dumped all it's energy. The C&B is no cannon. I think round balls traveling faster would penetrate better, not sure, just a hunch.

I have sized .410" to .401 but that is about all I can manage. Beyond that the bullet is badly distorted and becomes it's own identity. Jacketed, the bullet cores can pinch and protrude. But in theory you could keep on and "swage" to whatever your had in mind.

I have two sets of the old swage dies for common presses. One is .358" the other is .41. A tinker's delight.

38-40 Bullet Problems Solved.. - Huey, 2019-11-20, 06:18
- WHEN THE RUGER .45 BLKHWK - JT, 2019-11-20, 09:52
  - If these aren't accurate or come apart, I may... - Huey, 2019-11-20, 11:14
    - I sized some from .458" down to .450" - Jim Taylor, 2019-11-20, 11:21
      - Yep working with the Ruger Old Army BP - WB, 2019-11-20, 13:29
  - I still have some of those! (nm) - Jim Taylor, 2019-11-20, 10:06
- Great! You can do that with some. - Jim Taylor, 2019-11-20, 06:34
  - I've found that if I size down too much.. - Huey, 2019-11-20, 06:54
    - Yes. I had that springback when trying to make .348 bullets - Jim Taylor, 2019-11-20, 07:19
      - It depends on the bullet construction, lube helps. - WB, 2019-11-20, 07:29
      - I'm guessing these didn't due to the jacket being... - Huey, 2019-11-20, 07:28
        sierra has always advertised their bullets to be undersized - lynn, 2019-11-20, 09:36
        sierra have advertised their bullets to be undersized - Lynn, 2019-11-20, 09:05
        One of the misfits using the .401 GNR - WB, 2019-11-20, 07:36
        Since I also shoot a 401 GNR, I can live with that!!! (nm) - Huey, 2019-11-20, 09:42