[Oyeboten]

For a .44 Calibre Dragoon or Walker say, are there any ready suppliers, or, Moulds, for making correct diameter Bullets of a shape and weight like those traditionally used for .45 Long Colt? 200-odd Grain, Bullet-shaped Bullets?


And...would this tend to require one dismount the Cylinder for loading?


(Supplies not all in yet...so...first Range Trip still Pending...)

[madcratebuilder]

I picked up a box of about thirty conicals that are reportedly from original Colt molds. Both single and double groove .44 conicals. The single groove should be from a Dragoon mold and the doubles from a 1860 Army mold. I'll weigh and measure them and post some pic's.
I have them with my cased sets but I can shoot some I guess. I keep thinking about casting and would like to know more about what molds are available for conicals.

The conicals from the early molds started as no band (gease groove) and progressed to one band, then two band as part of a continuing evolution of the molds in the 1850's. The Dragoon mold made a longer bullet than the 60 Army mold.

[higene]

I have shot 220 gr cast hp 45 ACP pistol bullets in a Ruger Old Army. They miced at .452 and were cast from a Lee Aluminum mold. I have not shot them in my Walker because it requires either removing the cylinder and loading it off of the gun or modifying the frame to allow them to enter the position to seat correctly.

There are several molds for Walker conicals. There have been warnings posted about seating conicals backwards which can form a shape charge and blow up a Walker.

I would wait for Experienced Walker or dragoon shooters to post before attempting loads for those guns.

Good Luck and Be Safe,

Higene

:scrutiny:

[JamesKelly]

Ray Pine moulds, http://www.ch4d.com/catalog/?p=88
lists a 215 grain "44ML" mould, long delivery as must be special made. I expect to order one tomorrow, along with a .464" double-cavity round ball mould.

The Walker was originally designed to use a 215 grain conical "ball". That is just about exactly 1/2 ounce. Sam was a smart marketing guy. He designed his revolver to use the same weight ball the Dragoons had already been using the last 40 or so years in their single shot flint & percussion "horse pistols" Those .54 cal pistols used a .52 cal ball, which weighs one half ounce. Give'r take a few grains.

[MCgunner]

220 grain lee .457 conicals for my ROA, also a .454 or near that I used to cast for my old .44 Navy replica. It's a good bullet. I've also sized 'em to .451 and successfully shot them from a .45ACP in lieu of buying a round nose mold for the gun. :D I lube 'em with beeswax/alox and they load fine in the gun without removing the cylinder and using a loading tool. I don't bother with under wads or crisco, either, using the lubed conical.

[MCgunner]

I forgot, I also have a brass mold bought at Dixie Gun Works for my .31 remington. It throws a conical and a round ball. The conical is pointy and neat lookin'. It is a little tough to load in the gun with the flimsey load lever, though.

Actually, I usually just shoot buckshot from that gun, less pain and cheap.