Thread: .452 bore vs .455 cast projectiles

I have a 500gr 45/70 cast mould that produces .455" bore projectiles
My 450 bushmaster has the .452" bore
With the lack of copper jacket and gas check is it safe to fire these bullets in my rifle

Will the dies I have squish the .455" bullet the amount it needs to be safely fired?

What Rifle are you firing them from Bill?Are you using smokless or Black powder?

I'm planning on using trail boss
The rifle is a ruger American bolt action

Get a Lee push through size die and size them down I have sized .459" cast bullets to .452" as long as the cartridge will chamber you are OK
with low velocity loads, lube the bullets before sizing them

I wouldn't use Trail Boss if you are going to shoot subs. In a previous thread in answer to my question another member explained that TB was not made for subsonic loads. The Velocity spread is too great with TB

Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

I wouldn't use Trail Boss if you are going to shoot subs. In a previous thread in answer to my question another member explained that TB was not made for subsonic loads. The Velocity spread is too great with TB

In 450 bushmaster specifically? It's been great accuracy wise in my 308s

I`m not having any trouble with .459"dia lead bullets in my Sharps, the bore is .458 at the breech, .457" at the muzzle. They are cast H/B bullets and come out of the mould at .461/2" and seams to love them with 38.5grs of 3031 powder, M V is around 1.300 fps. also load with 3f black powder, fun stuff.

Originally Posted by shooternz

Get a Lee push through size die and size them down I have sized .459" cast bullets to .452" as long as the cartridge will chamber you are OK
with low velocity loads, lube the bullets before sizing them

Do you make a similar but more suitable projectile for this sort of thing?

No, Google 450 Bushmaster a see what pops up, Or how about this
http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/images/...AD5_Sketch.Jpg

I size lead 500 grains to .452 for both my 45/70s, being lead, the boot up the bum on take off will bump them up to fit the barrel dia, you can get some stripping by the rifling on the trip down the barrel, a harder lead compound will help stop this. Have a shitload of shot I’m melting down for projectiles, so should go well

Just run them through a sizer you want .453 for a 452 bore
(Rule of thumb 0.001 ovesize)
You will be able to shoot 455 no worries with low pressure trailboss loads
However they may shoot shit and you may lead the crap out of your barrel over size bullets can make for bad leading issues

If you can’t buy a 453 sizer if you were to buy a 223 seating or sizeing die even a stuffed one and get a Engineer to ream the hole to 453
I have a old rusty 311 size die that would work awesome for a a ream job you could have it if you want

I think iv got a 280 die I destroyed trying to get a stuck case out of that may work for the job if I need one to ream out
Thanks for the idea

The 450 bushmaster is designed to shoot standard .45 pistol bullets and has a groove diameter of .451" cast bullets need to be .452" minimum
bullets larger will shoot ok as long as the cartridge will chamber, soft lead not lead the barrel if a good lube is used and velocity is under 1400fps
I size all my .30 cal bullets .310" so that they will work in most .30 cal rifles including 7.62x39, so far I have had no complaints of leading.
Reloaders have the Lee .452" in stock https://www.reloaders.co.nz/ic/94903...zingKit.12.jpg
get one of them and some Lee Alox lube and you should be set.

I spy with my beady eyes a 330grn gould bullet lyman mould for sale on trademe.......hopefully some nice chap from Tokoroa will snap it up and start making them...supposedly the ducks nuts for .45 cal rifles....

Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

I wouldn't use Trail Boss if you are going to shoot subs. In a previous thread in answer to my question another member explained that TB was not made for subsonic loads. The Velocity spread is too great with TB

Trail boss is awesome for Sub loads in the 450 BM