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November 7, 2015
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IMHO vintage Winchesters and cast bullets go hand in hand. Cast bullets won’t wear a bore like jacketed bullets, can easily be sized for unusual bores and are awesome for hunting purposes at the velocities old Winchesters were designed for.
For non-casters, may I suggest a few points to consider? With the correct hardness, fit and lube my Winchesters only need a few patches to clean when using black powder. When using smokeless powder I generally clean only when evaluating a new load, and then it only takes 15-20 minutes and 6-7 patches. Try that with jacketed bullets! In the older black powder era guns a soft lead bullet and a period-correct charge of black powder are often necessary to get good results on paper and in the field.
I like to think that we are only temporary custodians of the old Winchesters we love. Many of the Winchesters I take care of have been owned by 3-4 generations before I became their custodian. If you have a well-used Winchester with a nice bore it’s likely at least one previous owner cast his own bullets. With cast bullets my Winchesters will go on to the next generation in the same condition I acquired them, I think we owe that to the next generation.
TXGunNut, I agree 100%. I have been shooting ancient Winchesters since the mid 1970’s exclusively with lead bullets (except for my post ’64 30-30 which shoots factory loads). Regardless of the model and caliber (I cast for 25-20, 30-30, 32-20, 32-40, 32WSP, 38-40, 38-55, 40-60, 40-65, 40-82, 44-40 and 45-70), I have had no noticeable wear in the bores and cleaning is a breeze (I only shoot smokeless powder). Being able to slug the bore and size the bullet for the specific rifle adds to the accuracy (I have four .40 cal rifles that slug out to .405, .4055, .406 and .407) and I’ve never had any problems with bore leading.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
I live in NE California, Placerville, “Old Hangtown”, have been shooting cast bullets in 25-20, 32-20, 32-40, 40-65, and 45-70 for several years now. I am presently looking for a new barrel for a 1892 Winchester 25-20 SRC Carbine. I’ve had this carbine for a while and have considered using it just for parts. My son has said that he would like it, so now I’m looking for a new barrel made of 4140 steel, .257 groove diameter, 1X12″ twist, and with a slight throat for shooting cast bullets in the 25-20 Carbine. Funny thing when I got the Carbine the saddle ring was missing, but the staple is still there along with the wear on the left side of the reciever. I’ve wondered about trying to replace the saddle ring.
I really enjoy shooting these arms with cast bullets and have had some good luck with them.
Bob Maerdian
I cast for all the old Winchesters I own or have owned. The last few years, I’ve ordered custom moulds from Accurate Moulds. I can specify what alloy I use and what I want the final sizing to be and they machine the mould accordingly for no extra charge. The Winchesters I have, or continue to, cast for are:
25-20, 30 W.C.F., 32-20, 38-40, 38-55, 38-72, 44-40, 45-60, 45-70 and 45-90.
For brass for obsolete calibers, I love Jamison (now Captech) and I’ve also used Rocky Mountain Cartridge Company, who also turn out nice cartridges with the proper headstamped caliber.
Another bullet caster here. I started back in 1974 with the purchase of a 45-70. Since then, I have added molds for the 25-20, 30-30, 32LC, and 44-40 rifles.
In addition I also cast bullets for the .22 rim and center fires, .38/.357 & .45 Colt.
The last I checked, I counted close to 80 molds in inventory (How did I accumulate that many?!). 9 of them are Accurate molds. As win38-55 indicated, one can specify what alloy, what design and what the size of the bullet needs to be and Tom will make it for you.
I just made another batch for the .44-40 which I am taking to a NRA Cowboy Silhouette match this coming Saturday.
w30wcf
November 7, 2015
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In the interests of full disclosure w30wcf is one of the members of a cast bullet forum who told me about WACA and this forum. We have some very interesting discussions about leverguns over there from time to time.
I only have about 40 moulds but a couple were made for me by Tom @ Accurate. The more I learn about moulds the more I’m amazed by craftsmen like Tom. Besides making a mould drop a bullet at a specified diameter he can change lube groove dimensions, nose shape and even cut two different cavities in one mould block. If he doesn’t make the mould you want he can help you design it and he’ll add it to his catalog.
I heartily agree that Tom@Accurate is much appreciated. I don’t even look elsewhere for moulds anymore. I just go order exactly what I want from Tom. My preference are brass moulds, but you can order them in aluminum or steel.
Sorry I have been on a topic search all morning but I have to agree here too…Accurate Molds are Boss for the 44-40. Between John Kort and Ed Harris, no other bullet is really needed.
Here is a list of Molds designed by John or Ed or both or heavily influencing a design like ogival wadcutters.
John, aka 30wcf, w30wcf, w44wcf
Ed, aka Outpost75
Not familiar with any of the custom makers mentioned since I only use stock Lyman and RCBS molds. I have found that iron molds work best for me as they maintain a constant temperature once heated (I live in New Mexico, 10% humidity so never have to use storage lubes) and drop perfect bullets time after time once the optimal temperature is reached. Years ago I tried the aluminum molds from Lee and found the results completely unsatisfactory. They always dropped wrinkled, or sprued, or incomplete bullets. Never have tried brass bullets, but since iron works great for me have no need to experiment.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
November 7, 2015
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I have mostly custom aluminum moulds but agree that Lyman moulds are quite good and produce excellent bullets. I’ve had issues similar to yours with Lee moulds, especially the two-cavity models. The aluminum moulds from NOE, Accurate, et al are a different matter-at least for me. They take a somewhat different cadence but will turn out a big pile of very good bullets once you get it down. Seems I always enjoy using my “old school” Lyman moulds over the fancy custom jobs, though.
John Kort’s name has come up a few times recently, anyone heard from him? He’s a member here and over at Cast Boolits, among other sites. I always enjoy John (and Ed’s) posts. Looks like he hasn’t been to the CB site in awhile either.
Mike
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