looking for a .431 mold for Henry

[major]

I have a Henry and after I sluged it I found that it wants a .431 bullet. Does anyone know if someone makes this mold? I have had some success with a Seco .430 mold but I would like to try a slightly larger bullet.
Terry

[Trailrider]

What kind of alloy are you using?  On the one hand, a harder alloy, Lyman #2 or even harder, will generally cast larger.  OTOH, if you got a hollow base mould and cast of softer alloy, say 1-16 or 1-20, the bullet may slug up, depending on the powder. Black, of course will act on the base of a HB.  But I've also found that some of the faster-burning smokeless powders will have the same effect. You might also have the mould you have honed out using valve grinding compound over a bullet cast from the mould, with the slug mounted on a wood screw, spun by a power drill.

[major]

Trailrider
I tried some hollow base bullets I got from Buffalo arms.  They were suppose to be .430 but most of them micked out at .428.  I tried them any way and all they did was fowel up the barrel something fierce.  They didn't even come close to grouping and sprayed all over the target.
The .430 bullets I am presently using will only give me a 4 inch group (50 yards) from the bench, which is why I was trying to get a larger bullet.
The alloy I am using is 3 parts soft lead and 2 parts wheel weights or hard lead.
I have to use Black powder as I shoot N-SSA and that's all they allow.
I would love to get a hold of a .431 mold RNFP.
Terry

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

What is the actual measurement you got when you slugged the barrel?

My Henry slugs out at .429, as a lot of modern 44 caliber guns do. Logic would say that I should be shooting .430 bullets in it. But because my '73 slugs out at .427, I have compromised and am sizing all my Mav-Dutchman bullets to .428 for both guns. I cast these from pure lead, so they are very soft, as soft as can be. Accuracy is fine with these .428 bullets in my .429 Henry. Because they are so soft, they are probably 'slugging up' in the barrel.

[major]

Driftwood
My barrel slugs out at .430.  That is why I want a .431 mold.
Terry

[buckskin billy]

hey major,
  you could try this guy. he make custom moulds for those ole boys shooting them long range black powder sharps and remmies.
he might be able to make you what you need.

http://www.brooksmoulds.com/


this guy may be able to help you out as well

http://www.rockymountaincartridge.com/

hope this helps, good luck.

billy

[buckskin billy]

aw heck i forgot about this guy.

he had a web site but i can't get it to come up but found his phone number and mailing address.


Old West Bullet Molds
# (970) 858-1449
# 1175 17 1/4 Rd
# Fruita, CO 81521

[Joe Lansing]

    If you use pure lead and black powder, the bullet will expand to fill the grooves. If the bullet is oversized, it may promote leading.
    Read: The Bullets Flight, by Dr. Mann
           
                                              J.L.                     

[major]

Thanks for all the responses guys. I am getting Mike Owsiak of MGO Brass Bullet Molds to make one up for me. I hope to have it all figured out in time to use it at the N-SSA Nationals this Fall.
Terry

[Montana Slim]

My Big-lube .44 bullets come out of the mold slightly over .430, but I can't say they're ALL running .431.
I'm not casting pure lead....otherwise they might run a thou smaller on average.

In your Henry, you may have difficulty chambering anything larger than .429....unless you ream the chamber a tad.

Personally, I'm running .428 in my 44-40 Improved Henry's, Winchester 1873 * Frontier Six-Shooter, while the .44 Russian and other revolver.

Regards,
Slim

[Springfield Slim]

I have a brand new in the box 44Slim bullet mold, 6 cavity LEE.  It casts .432 with my soft alloy. It is a SWC nose but it feeds through my Henry and '66's just fine. Just remember if you have a mould made, make sure the nose to crimp length is at least .270, otherwise it may not feed well in a toggle action rifle. 75.00 shipped for the 44S mold.