Ruger Old Army Rapine Bullet Mould?

[ottsm]

I'm new to this forum, I've have 3 ROA's that I love to shoot.

I've used a Rapine Bullet Mould #454160 for years. Rapine is out of business but I did find a PDF file with a bullet mould chart but it doesn't list this bullet. I thinking I might have got it through Dixie Gun Works, Buffalo Arms or maybe in Mountain State Muzzle Loader. I'm thinking it was made for the ROA but not sure. Anyone else have one of these moulds? You'll notice it has a starting edge that makes it easy to level up before ramming the bullet home. I run them through a .458 lube sizer, not to size them but just makes it easier to pre-lube the bullets. I've thought about making another base so I can add eliminate the hollow base and get two types of bullets out of the same mould. The 160 grains is more economical with the lead but a heavier bullet would have uses with hunting.

 

[BADUNAME30]

WELCOME ottsm.

 

[rodwha]

Do you have any problems with them jumping in their chambers under recoil? Ruger states to use a .456" conical, but I've heard of people using .454" Long Colt bullets with good results.

This ought to give you an idea of what the projectiles ought to do as far as hunting.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=8396018&postcount=12

 

[ottsm]

The actual casting size is more then 454 and it makes for a tight fit but I do not get a lead ring like you get on a round ball, I would say 456 is closer to what I am casting although it can very. If I put the mould directly on the casting spout I will get an excellent bullet in terms of the base filling out but size will be too big. The lower part of the bullet has a groove designed to get the bullet started, this is very important as it keeps the bullet level with the cylinder before ramming it home. If the bullet ends up too large, this groove will be too big for the bullet to slide into cylinder. I've cast a lot of bullet before I realized that even though I had perfect looking bullets they were too large. I keep the Ruger cylinder handy so as I'm casting I can check the fit. It's better to preheat the mould before starting and carbon up the inside with a match.

 

[rodwha]

There is also a fellow on another forum who casts bullets/balls and has a 210 grn FN bullet that he says works well. It's a .458" that he resizes.

Kaido sells the molds for his custom bullets too.

I've heard of people using 45 Colt bullets and resizing the bases so that they seat easily and straight.

 

[J-Bar]

Talk to Dick Dastardly at Big Lube Bullets:

http://www.biglube.com/

He is the man for casting blackpowder projectiles!

maybe this one:

http://www.biglube.com/BulletMolds.aspx?ItemID=09d6fdda-c105-4c87-b269-68ebfdaba982

 

[AbitNutz]

I agree....I have one his latest molds and I'm very happy with it. I sent it off and had three of the cavities hollow pointed. Don't ask why....but it turned out to be a great idea. With deepened chambers and a BigLube HP, a snoot full of triple 7 and an RWS cap...she roars. Step it down a bit and she still throws that slug fast enough to expand and the accuracy is down right disturbing.