255 .45

salvadore · October 23, 2010, 06:21 PM

I'm going to order a six cavity Lee .45 255gr fn for my Uberti '73 copy. I'm giving up trying to get any accuracy with pyrodex and the Lyman 454190 and going with the Lee water quenched and 2400.

Does anyone have this mold and how do you like it....what diameter etc.

Thank you.

TXGunNut · October 24, 2010, 12:10 AM

I'm looking forward to my first set of Lee moulds but I'm tickled pink with the Lyman 452424 boolits cast w/ WW's over 7.5grs Universal Clays.
Let me know how it goes, I'd be happy to send you a few boolits so you can see how they work before you buy the moulds.

salvadore · October 24, 2010, 10:19 AM

Did you read the article in Handloader about your favorite .45? I'm keeping an eye out for one, everyone who shoots it loves it.

TXGunNut · October 24, 2010, 10:56 AM

Haven't read it, which issue? .45 seems to be my favorite caliber since I have two Colt 1911 based carry pistols, a Ruger NMBH, a black powder percussion revolver, a 94 Winchester, a Marlin Guide Gun, a Sharps relica and a T/C Hawken (did I miss any?) all sharing that bore diameter but I haven't decided or even given much thought to which one is my favorite. Could you give me a clue, Sal?

salvadore · October 24, 2010, 03:15 PM

Wow Tex, looks like June of 09 by roger smith. Had some technical stuff, but was focused on the different design changes from lyman regarding using the crimp groove or being forced to crimp on the forward band in colt length cylinders.

salvadore · October 24, 2010, 03:23 PM

oh yeah, forgot...Your 1911's are likely 451/452 diameter. The Blackhawk and winchester are probably .452. The Marlin and Sharps shoot for .458 if they are 45/70, although my trapdoor springfield was .462. Don't know what your Hawkin is, however I have an unusually ugly mold for a TC BP rifle that I would sell extremely cheap if it fit your rifle.

TXGunNut · October 24, 2010, 06:34 PM

Fudged a bit, .45 Hawken barrel is in a box, removed in favor of a .54 from Green Mountain. C&B is technically a .44 but the ball starts out @ .451.

Sharps and Marlin are both stamped "45-70" but 45-90 cartridges seem to make the Sharps happy.

What's wrong with the 454190? I think the SASS shooters like it but accuracy isn't critical with them. If I didn't hunt with my NMBH that is the boolit I'd be casting.

dagger dog · October 28, 2010, 05:57 PM

sal,

I cast and shoot that bullet, the Lee 452-255- RF, it drops about 265-270 grains @ 0.452-0.453" with "my approx" Lyman #2 wheel weight alloy mix. I also water quench, then run through my 4500 lube sizer witha 0.452 die with lyman beeswax alox stick lube.

Have also cast and shot as dropped with Lee tumble lube.

It shoots well out of my 4 5/8" New Model Ruger Blackhawk, gives hand size grouping a 25 yds with iron sights, and I have shot it from velocities in the 750 fps (with Trailboss) to over 900 fps with heavy loads of H110.

You ought to tryTrail Boss, I had standard deviation numbers in velocity, in the single digits, shot over my Beta Chrony , with verry good accuracy.

I'm looking forward to buying a Rossi .45 Colt lever gun and plan to shoot the 452-255 in that also.

TXGunNut · October 28, 2010, 10:23 PM

Good looking boolit, dagger dog. If my Lyman/Keith boolit didn't work so well I'd give it a try. Have a similar Ruger and first offhand groups were under 3". I think these revolvers were made to fire these boolits, amazing with the heavy XTP's at 44 mag velocities as well. Doesn't make sense that one revolver can do both so well! Can't wait to hammer a hog with my cast boolit.

Haven't shot my boolits in my 45 Colt Model 94 but it won't be long. Universal is my go-to powder but may have to see what all the Trailboss fuss is about. Doubt I'll ever take it hunting but it could happen.

salvadore · November 1, 2010, 12:17 PM

270 grs.? I may have to cut back a half a grain or so. The shallow grooves of the Uberti '73 I believe are what is crippling my attempts at some sort of repeatable (OHMYGOD, A PUN) accuracy. My trapdoor has typical 19th century deep grooves for BP, and shoots pyrodex and wheel weights just fine, but it has been a frusterating exercise to do the same with the Uberti. Brian Pearce claims the replica action can handle 20.000 cup and liked 17.5/18 grs of 2400. I would like to squeeze some accuracy from this rifle.

crowbeaner · November 10, 2010, 08:48 PM

Sal; try some AA #5 and a 255 RNFP. I use 10.5 grains in RP brass with a WW primer. 875 fps. in a 5 1/2 inch revolver and maybe 1000 out of the '73.

October 23, 2010, 06:21 PM	#1
salvadore Junior member Join Date: January 1, 2007 Location: Idaho Posts: 2,282	255 .45 I'm going to order a six cavity Lee .45 255gr fn for my Uberti '73 copy. I'm giving up trying to get any accuracy with pyrodex and the Lyman 454190 and going with the Lee water quenched and 2400. Does anyone have this mold and how do you like it....what diameter etc. Thank you.

October 24, 2010, 10:56 AM	#4
TXGunNut Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: If you have to ask... Posts: 2,860	Haven't read it, which issue? .45 seems to be my favorite caliber since I have two Colt 1911 based carry pistols, a Ruger NMBH, a black powder percussion revolver, a 94 Winchester, a Marlin Guide Gun, a Sharps relica and a T/C Hawken (did I miss any?) all sharing that bore diameter but I haven't decided or even given much thought to which one is my favorite. Could you give me a clue, Sal? __________________ Life Member NRA, TSRA Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call Lonesome Dove My favorite recipes start out with a handful of used wheelweights.

October 24, 2010, 06:34 PM	#7
TXGunNut Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: If you have to ask... Posts: 2,860	Fudged a bit, .45 Hawken barrel is in a box, removed in favor of a .54 from Green Mountain. C&B is technically a .44 but the ball starts out @ .451. Sharps and Marlin are both stamped "45-70" but 45-90 cartridges seem to make the Sharps happy. What's wrong with the 454190? I think the SASS shooters like it but accuracy isn't critical with them. If I didn't hunt with my NMBH that is the boolit I'd be casting. __________________ Life Member NRA, TSRA Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call Lonesome Dove My favorite recipes start out with a handful of used wheelweights. Last edited by TXGunNut; October 24, 2010 at 06:42 PM. Reason: brain gas

October 28, 2010, 05:57 PM	#8
dagger dog Member Join Date: September 5, 2010 Posts: 65	sal, I cast and shoot that bullet, the Lee 452-255- RF, it drops about 265-270 grains @ 0.452-0.453" with "my approx" Lyman #2 wheel weight alloy mix. I also water quench, then run through my 4500 lube sizer witha 0.452 die with lyman beeswax alox stick lube. Have also cast and shot as dropped with Lee tumble lube. It shoots well out of my 4 5/8" New Model Ruger Blackhawk, gives hand size grouping a 25 yds with iron sights, and I have shot it from velocities in the 750 fps (with Trailboss) to over 900 fps with heavy loads of H110. You ought to tryTrail Boss, I had standard deviation numbers in velocity, in the single digits, shot over my Beta Chrony , with verry good accuracy. I'm looking forward to buying a Rossi .45 Colt lever gun and plan to shoot the 452-255 in that also. Last edited by dagger dog; October 29, 2010 at 02:50 PM.

October 28, 2010, 10:23 PM	#9
TXGunNut Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: If you have to ask... Posts: 2,860	Good looking boolit, dagger dog. If my Lyman/Keith boolit didn't work so well I'd give it a try. Have a similar Ruger and first offhand groups were under 3". I think these revolvers were made to fire these boolits, amazing with the heavy XTP's at 44 mag velocities as well. Doesn't make sense that one revolver can do both so well! Can't wait to hammer a hog with my cast boolit. Haven't shot my boolits in my 45 Colt Model 94 but it won't be long. Universal is my go-to powder but may have to see what all the Trailboss fuss is about. Doubt I'll ever take it hunting but it could happen. __________________ Life Member NRA, TSRA Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call Lonesome Dove My favorite recipes start out with a handful of used wheelweights. Last edited by TXGunNut; October 28, 2010 at 10:33 PM.

October 24, 2010, 12:10 AM	#2
TXGunNut Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: If you have to ask... Posts: 2,860	I'm looking forward to my first set of Lee moulds but I'm tickled pink with the Lyman 452424 boolits cast w/ WW's over 7.5grs Universal Clays. Let me know how it goes, I'd be happy to send you a few boolits so you can see how they work before you buy the moulds. __________________ Life Member NRA, TSRA Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call Lonesome Dove My favorite recipes start out with a handful of used wheelweights.

October 24, 2010, 10:19 AM	#3
salvadore Junior member Join Date: January 1, 2007 Location: Idaho Posts: 2,282	Did you read the article in Handloader about your favorite .45? I'm keeping an eye out for one, everyone who shoots it loves it.

October 24, 2010, 03:15 PM	#5
salvadore Junior member Join Date: January 1, 2007 Location: Idaho Posts: 2,282	Wow Tex, looks like June of 09 by roger smith. Had some technical stuff, but was focused on the different design changes from lyman regarding using the crimp groove or being forced to crimp on the forward band in colt length cylinders.

October 24, 2010, 03:23 PM	#6
salvadore Junior member Join Date: January 1, 2007 Location: Idaho Posts: 2,282	oh yeah, forgot...Your 1911's are likely 451/452 diameter. The Blackhawk and winchester are probably .452. The Marlin and Sharps shoot for .458 if they are 45/70, although my trapdoor springfield was .462. Don't know what your Hawkin is, however I have an unusually ugly mold for a TC BP rifle that I would sell extremely cheap if it fit your rifle.

November 1, 2010, 12:17 PM	#10
salvadore Junior member Join Date: January 1, 2007 Location: Idaho Posts: 2,282	270 grs.? I may have to cut back a half a grain or so. The shallow grooves of the Uberti '73 I believe are what is crippling my attempts at some sort of repeatable (OHMYGOD, A PUN) accuracy. My trapdoor has typical 19th century deep grooves for BP, and shoots pyrodex and wheel weights just fine, but it has been a frusterating exercise to do the same with the Uberti. Brian Pearce claims the replica action can handle 20.000 cup and liked 17.5/18 grs of 2400. I would like to squeeze some accuracy from this rifle.

November 10, 2010, 08:48 PM	#11
crowbeaner Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 1,943	Sal; try some AA #5 and a 255 RNFP. I use 10.5 grains in RP brass with a WW primer. 875 fps. in a 5 1/2 inch revolver and maybe 1000 out of the '73. __________________ If you want your children to follow in your footsteps, be careful where you walk. Beware the man that only owns one gun; he probably knows how to use it. I just hope my ship comes in before my dock rots.