Bullet recommendation for .45 rifle

[JiriK]

Calibrating die seems to be .454.. What would be the proper diameter? .451?

[tacfoley]

Calibrating die seems to be .454.. What would be the proper diameter? .451?

Jiri - .451 is the nominal bore diameter - the bore of the LANDS, not the GROOVES of original Whitworth/Volunteer/Rigby/Creedmore bore. For BP bullets, they are always oversize for the bore to engage in the grooves when fired. The detonation expands the bullet into the grooves, thus imparting the spin. Patched ball are LOOSE in the bore, and the rifling actually grips the cloth patch in which the ball is held.

If your pal has been using this bullet already, then it's prolly good to go. You say that the rifle has 'Creedmore' on the lockplate, so this rifle SHOULD shoot that bullet just fine. The Creedmore match was historically shot with the .451 match rifle.

I take it that you mean 'sizing die', rather than calibration, right?

You MUST lubricate this bullet in order to shoot it - do not load it dry. What are you making for lube?

tac

[JiriK]

Yes, Sizing die.
Bought some beeswax today. Have to source the other component, "Neat's Foot Oil" - or something to substitute it.

[tacfoley]

Yes, Sizing die.
Bought some beeswax today. Have to source the other component, "Neat's Foot Oil" - or something to substitute it.

It really is a natural oil made from the hoofs of small deer native to these islands. It us used for leather dressing - particularly horse riding tack/gear. Find a horse accessory store, and you'll find it there. But, if you cannot get it please let me know.

tac

[JiriK]

Found the oil too. Had to order online, hope it gets here this week..

[tacfoley]

Because of the local climate, you may need to use a more equable mixture - in Canada, where it gets as cold, if not colder than Finland for a lot of the year, we tend to use a 80/20 mix in summer and 60/40 in Winter, when the resultant lube thickens up because of the cold. However, we usually stop shooting when it hits -25C - it's not so much fun and your face can easily get 'welded' to the rifle. In all case, the first figure is Bees-wax.

You can easily melt the beeswax in a microwave and then add the NFO - mix it thoroughly and then pour it into a low pan in which you have stood up your bullets. Let it harden, then use a cookie cutter made from a .45 Long Colt case to remove the bullets from the pan. I use a piece of brass tubing from a local hobby store - use that if you have such a place. Perhaps Hobbylinna in Lukkosepänkatu? It is usually sold from a selection counter-top unit - look for KS Metals.

After you have removed them, then you can put them through the sizing die - this will remove most of the unwanted lube as well as regularise the diameter of the bullet. Don't forget to remove the lube from the nose of the bullet - not needed there.

tac

[JiriK]

Thanks again.

NFO arrived today. I´ll cast more bullets tomorrow as the ones I made yesterday feel a bit hard.
I know K&S tubes, used to "play" with RC helicopters, planes, cars and boats some years ago. Hobbylinna moved to Satakunnantie a couple of years ago.