[44and45]

I've developed a technique to make hollow base bullets out of regular cast bullets in any weight in my mini lathe.

Made a collet that holds a brass sleave to support the lead bullet then drill out the base for whatever depth for the hollow base.

I want to be able to shoot an old S&W revolver that has cylinder throats of .457 and .455 barrel. How big of a hole should I use to drill and how deep should the depth be.

Wish I had some original HB bullets for this old gun, right now its like shooten' in the dark trying to get it right.

44and45

[PaulS]

44and45,
If you are drilling a straight hole it will be less deep and smaller in diameter than a typical tapered hollow base. If you can use a tapered reamer to cut the holes you can make a hole that is one half the diameter of the bullet at the base and taper to one third diameter at one diameter from the tip.

PaulS

[44and45]

Thanks, PaulS.

I recently read where Ross Seyfried is not a proponent of the tappered bullet moulds, and he explains in Feb. issue 2002 of Handloader magazine while he too drilled out the base with a ball reamer instead of a taper or straight drill bit like I've used.

He claims better uniform expansion.

I have made up some test HB loaded bullets. Some are 1/4 " deep and some are 3/8 deep with a smallet drill bit used for the last 1/8 inch drilling.

Have to wait until the spring thaw to test them out.

Thanks for your reply.

44and45 :)

[P95Carry]

See ya made it Jim ........ good to see ya here ........ all you need now is hours of spare time to cruise thru all the great threads around.

See ya. Chris.:)

[44and45]

Yes indeed, Chris. Thanks for the link.

44and45 :)

[44and45]

Here is a picture of the likeness of my 2nd model WW-1 revolver...

44and45