BulletMatch, a Catalog of Cast Bullets

[Bazoo]

Some of ya’ll might have noticed I haven’t been on the forum a lot lately, well life's been a bit hectic here, with a 4 year old, fishing season, a couple of new guns, and working on my webapp.

Reloading and cast bullets are my passions, but when I started to learn programming, I decided to combine the two and the result is https://bulletmatch.com/

With my friend and I putting a combined 300+ hours into it so far, I still have thousands of bullets to enter but I figured I'd let the cat out of the bag so anyone interested could watch it grow. Thank you to all those people who have provided samples for me to enter. I’m still looking for new and variant samples, so if you’d like to help, please message me.

With my site, you can see high resolution pictures and measurements of bullets. You can find bullets from all the brands of mould makers AND commercial casting outfits all in one place. That way you don’t have to go to many different places to get info, if that info is even available.

You can compare seating depths and used case volume to better assist in bullet substitutions, find a new bullet for your reloading project, or just learn about them.

We created a lead alloy calculator https://bulletmatch.com/pages/lead-alloy-calculator to help the casting community figure all of that scrap lead that’s been setting around.

There are pages for removing leading, and gun cleaning, as well as a reloading and casting tutorial we’re working on.

We are working on the site daily, doing research, adding information, writing, adding bullets and taking pictures.

The casting and reloading community was a major factor in undertaking this project. Preserving the rich history of the many companies of the past and present, as well as providing something every reloading and caster can use are our mission. My own struggles in working up loads using bullets that have no data were instrumental in my undertaking of cataloging so many cast bullets.

Thanks everyone for taking the time to check it out. If anyone has any suggestions for pages, bullet samples they'd like to see or add, feel free to suggest them.

Bazoo

 

[eddiememphis]

Wow! That is a lot of information.

Nice work. Are you measuring the bullets or relying on the manufacturer's specs?

 

[Bazoo]

Wow! That is a lot of information.

Nice work. Are you measuring the bullets or relying on the manufacturer's specs?

Thanks. I am actually measuring and weighing each sample. Of course, I know that will vary somewhat with different alloys, from mould to mould, and with casting technique.

I want samples for any bullets that are known to vary, such as the Lyman 429421, to make a record of it's progression through different cherries and years of manufacture.

 

[Bazoo]

We have added a Taylor Knock-Out Factor calculator to each bullet's page. All you have to do is enter your velocity.

RCBS 44-250-K

 

[Bazoo]

I added some more bullets this evening, including one I'm super excited about;

Hensley & Gibbs 503



I'm excited to do a study on the Keith 44 bullet, and all of the clones!

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I added some more bullets this evening, including one I'm super excited about;

Hensley & Gibbs 503



I'm excited to do a study on the Keith 44 bullet, and all of the clones!

It’s interesting to see how economy and expediency have altered the original designs. That flat base with a sharp rim is superb for sealing the barrel, which eliminates leading even at very high pressure. The newer versions of the same design are bevel based, which encourages leaking hot gases, leading to lead in the barrel and has resulted in the use of much harder alloys to compensate. I like the old flat base designs and harder alloys for hunting but for target shooting I prefer a near pure lead alloy that’s dead soft and a concave base.
That’s nearly impossible to find these days.

 

[Bazoo]

It’s interesting to see how economy and expediency have altered the original designs. That flat base with a sharp rim is superb for sealing the barrel, which eliminates leading even at very high pressure. The newer versions of the same design are bevel based, which encourages leaking hot gases, leading to lead in the barrel and has resulted in the use of much harder alloys to compensate. I like the old flat base designs and harder alloys for hunting but for target shooting I prefer a near pure lead alloy that’s dead soft and a concave base.
That’s nearly impossible to find these days.

I don't know that I've ever seen a concave base other than a hollow base, Is that what you're talking about? I know the Keith bullet was offered in hollow base configuration with Lyman number 429422.

 

[Bazoo]

I've been cataloging Rim Rock's line of bullets. This one caught my eye, 41-230-SWC-Keith It's marked as a Keith, but of course isn't because it's got a gas check. It does look like a fine bullet though. I don't have a 41 Magnum, but I want one so I'm always eyeing its bullets.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I don't know that I've ever seen a concave base other than a hollow base, Is that what you're talking about? I know the Keith bullet was offered in hollow base configuration with Lyman number 429422.

It’s more common to swaged and jacketed bullets but some of the Lyman’s molds (358395 and 358431 for example) were more of a shallow concave base shape than a true hollow base. I may have some examples hanging around but my inventory is so scattered it’d take me a week of Sundays to find one.

 

[Bazoo]

It’s more common to swaged and jacketed bullets but some of the Lyman’s molds (358395 and 358431 for example) were more of a shallow concave base shape than a true hollow base. I may have some examples hanging around but my inventory is so scattered it’d take me a week of Sundays to find one.

I didn't know that. Thanks.

 

[kerreckt]

Thanks for putting this up. Bulletmatch.com is a great resource. They need to add Arsenal moulds to their otherwise great offerings. Best wishes!

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

He needs samples to photograph and measure if you have some you can donate.

 

[kerreckt]

Thanks for the info. I will send what I have. Best wishes!

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Thanks for the info. I will send what I have. Best wishes!

I’m looking for some old cast .452” Saeco’s but either I’m out or they’re buried in a box somewhere.

 

[Bazoo]

I am excited, I got some samples today in the mail, including an Applegate moulds bullet.

 

[Soonerpesek]

@Bazoo
Looks like you have spent a lot of time and effort on this catalog......
GOOD JOB, my man, looks great - lots of info..............

 

[Bazoo]

Thanks @Soonerpesek It's been very rewarding so far.

I've gotten sidetracked a little with getting a new gun and reloading for 45-70. I have Matt's 458 365 RF bullets but I had to find suitable data. I was able to track down the measurements for the Lyman 457124, which is a 385 grain bullet. It turns out that the used case volume is close enough for me to make a substitution, with the Lyman 457124 measuring .620 from the base to crimp, and the Matt's bullet measuring .530. Of the powders I have available, the choice will be 3031.

 

[dredd]

That is an amazing amount of work!!!!!

 

[Bazoo]

That is an amazing amount of work!!!!!

Thank you.

 

[Bazoo]

I got some more bullets finalized this evening. The Ideal 358429 is one I'm excited about. Obviously an older one, but it has round lube grooves, so not the first generation. I love the old and historic ones.



I have a couple of boxes of Matt's 458 365 RF bullets to load in 45-70, it is a handsome bullet I must say, even though I'm used to casting my own.

 

[Bazoo]

Here's a unique comparison, I thought it was neat so I figured I'd share it here.

Lyman 358242 / Lee 356-120-TC

 

[AJC1]

Here's a unique comparison, I thought it was neat so I figured I'd share it here.

Lyman 358242 / Lee 356-120-TC

I'm no Lee fan Boi but I really like their cone shaped bullets. I shoot 45acp, and if I was still loading 9 I'd have that 356 mold....

 

[Bazoo]

I'm no Lee fan Boi but I really like their cone shaped bullets. I shoot 45acp, and if I was still loading 9 I'd have that 356 mold....

I like their 452-230-TC for 45 auto and my buddy shoots it a fair amount in 45 Colt. Shame they don't make one for 44, it'd work well in lever guns. I've never ran any in 9mm, but if I had a 9, It'd probably be my top choice.

 

[AJC1]

I like their 452-230-TC for 45 auto and my buddy shoots it a fair amount in 45 Colt. Shame they don't make one for 44, it'd work well in lever guns. I've never ran any in 9mm, but if I had a 9, It'd probably be my top choice.

Please excuse the weird color I was experimenting mixing powders

 

[Bazoo]

Please excuse the weird color I was experimenting mixing powders
View attachment 1186318

Nice. When I first saw it, I thought it was jerky nuggets lol.

Post Script,

Nice photography. The lighting effect is killer on them "killers".