lee 36 cal conical mold for black powder

sc928porsche · May 18, 2010, 10:03 PM

Since I do a lot of casting for pistols and for black powder rifles and pistols. I decided to try some bullets for my 36 cal C&B instead of the round ball that I have been using. As usual, it took a bit before the molds were casting well but once they seemed to "season" they cast some very nice ones. With 100 sized to .375 and lubed in the old 450, I took the pistol out to the range.

It took a while, but it seems the 17gr eq. of pyrodex p worked best. Accuracy and penetration improved over the ball by a decent margin. The only down side I found was it was more difficult to get the bullet started (I dont use the bench loader).

All in all, a very successful endeavor. I thought that I would pass this along to any that would like to try.

Rangefinder · May 21, 2010, 12:47 AM

Good to hear it went well. I'm considering picking up a conical mold for my 1851 navy.

Hawg · July 10, 2010, 09:02 AM

The .36 conicals I cast out of my Lee mold #90378 are slightly tapered and load quite easily.

sc928porsche · July 12, 2010, 09:55 AM

Yes Hawg, I noticed that they were tapered too. When I put them through the sizer, the very end of the base was not sized. It seemed just enough to aid in starting the bullet. Unsized, mine shaved a small portion of lead off the bullets. My cyls mic at .3743 to .3751 using a sterrit ball mic.

salvadore · August 4, 2010, 12:38 PM

I was going to buy one of the lees for my pocket navy last week with my order to midway but they were out, so will try again (forgot to include a brass purchase so will get both next month).

I have heard that accuraccy is an issue with conicals and was wondering if it was a problem for you two?

sc928porsche · August 6, 2010, 09:50 AM

I get better accuracy with the conicals than the round ball.

salvadore · August 6, 2010, 07:58 PM

Excellent MR. Porche, they emailed me four days later to tell me they have them in stock and it is on the way.

salvadore · August 6, 2010, 07:59 PM

and or mr. porsche

May 18, 2010, 10:03 PM	#1
sc928porsche Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2008 Location: now living in alabama Posts: 2,433	lee 36 cal conical mold for black powder Since I do a lot of casting for pistols and for black powder rifles and pistols. I decided to try some bullets for my 36 cal C&B instead of the round ball that I have been using. As usual, it took a bit before the molds were casting well but once they seemed to "season" they cast some very nice ones. With 100 sized to .375 and lubed in the old 450, I took the pistol out to the range. It took a while, but it seems the 17gr eq. of pyrodex p worked best. Accuracy and penetration improved over the ball by a decent margin. The only down side I found was it was more difficult to get the bullet started (I dont use the bench loader). All in all, a very successful endeavor. I thought that I would pass this along to any that would like to try. __________________ No such thing as a stupid question. What is stupid is not asking it.

May 21, 2010, 12:47 AM	#2
Rangefinder Senior Member Join Date: August 4, 2005 Posts: 2,017	Good to hear it went well. I'm considering picking up a conical mold for my 1851 navy. __________________ "Why is is called Common Sense when it seems so few actually possess it?" Guns only have two enemies: Rust and Politicians.

July 12, 2010, 09:55 AM	#4
sc928porsche Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2008 Location: now living in alabama Posts: 2,433	Yes Hawg, I noticed that they were tapered too. When I put them through the sizer, the very end of the base was not sized. It seemed just enough to aid in starting the bullet. Unsized, mine shaved a small portion of lead off the bullets. My cyls mic at .3743 to .3751 using a sterrit ball mic. __________________ No such thing as a stupid question. What is stupid is not asking it.

August 6, 2010, 09:50 AM	#6
sc928porsche Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2008 Location: now living in alabama Posts: 2,433	I get better accuracy with the conicals than the round ball. __________________ No such thing as a stupid question. What is stupid is not asking it.

July 10, 2010, 09:02 AM	#3
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	The .36 conicals I cast out of my Lee mold #90378 are slightly tapered and load quite easily.

August 4, 2010, 12:38 PM	#5
salvadore Junior member Join Date: January 1, 2007 Location: Idaho Posts: 2,282	I was going to buy one of the lees for my pocket navy last week with my order to midway but they were out, so will try again (forgot to include a brass purchase so will get both next month). I have heard that accuraccy is an issue with conicals and was wondering if it was a problem for you two?

August 6, 2010, 07:58 PM	#7
salvadore Junior member Join Date: January 1, 2007 Location: Idaho Posts: 2,282	Excellent MR. Porche, they emailed me four days later to tell me they have them in stock and it is on the way.

August 6, 2010, 07:59 PM	#8
salvadore Junior member Join Date: January 1, 2007 Location: Idaho Posts: 2,282	and or mr. porsche