hardened bullets

[bigdave1]

I'm reloading Black Powder cartridges for a M1884 rifle. Out of laziness, more than anything else, I would prefer to buy bullets, rather than cast my own. Not surprisingly, few vendors offer the .459 500 grain round nose bullet close to the original design. I know I can get a Saeco mould that is close, but as I said, I don't want to cast. Acme Bullet company has a good looking bullet that is a 92-6-2 alloy. I have read in several books and articles on the subject, that only lead/tin should be used in Trapdoors. Anyone here know what harm would befall using this bullet? Also, tooling up with the Saeco mould would be well over two hundred bucks, just for the Blocks and Handles. The Acme bullet is product code 45-70 500 RN LUBED , if anyone wants to look at it. I don't know how to create links, sorry. Happy Fathers Day to all you Dads out there. BTW, Buffalo Arms lists the cast Saeco bullet, lubed with SPG, but are perpetually out of stock on it.

[Jim]

While I can understand your reluctance to casting your own bullets, (I sometimes buy some lead bullets also) . . .for the ORIGINAL Springfield trapdoors, I cannot find any projectiles that are large enough in diameter! (.461/.462”)
Seems to me, understanding TODAYS’ cost of primers, powder, and brass, makes using the common (inferior).459” diameter bullet a case of “economic futility!

[Tom Trevor]

I agree with Jim .I did look at the Acme page and it seems the bullets are coated with a red powder coating? I doubt you would get many shots off with these as one of the lube purposes is to mix with the powder fouling and help soften it. Call Buffalo arms and ask about the cast bullets time line. Like their molds of which they list pages of in the catalog always OUT OF STOCK I think it would better read MADE TO ORDER. If you order a mold Jim in the shop runs it and its on the way in a week or so. Ask about a 500 grain government style bullet in a diameter of ,460-62. i believe they are cast to order as the molds are. Unless you are reading Wolfs book and want to copy issue rounds the larger bullets will be far better for you.

[bigdave1]

Thanks guys. I will call Buffalo arms and inquire. I do have the apparatus to cast. just have to do it in a cramped shed with the door opened. The Acme site does offer that bullet without the powder coating, which is why I wondered if the alloy was too hard, and might damage an original, excellent barrel, somehow.