Dual-Rebated Big-Lubes for C&B guns -- and casters thereof

[Mad_Dog]

Howdy folks  I worked a schlew of extra hours in the last couple weeks and am going take the extra scratch from the OT and buy myself a C&B revolver (likely a pietta from Cabelas).  I was wondering if any of the big-lubes other than the DD-PUK/Flat have dual rebates?  I'm particularly wondering about the older style DD/PUK ROA (round nosed) bullet, and both the .44 and .38 EPP bullets.  I haven't found a caster yet that carries the newer DD-PUK/Flat (or the .38 EPP), just the .44 EPP-UG and the older style DD/PUK ROA.  I'd really prefer a double-rebated bullet though since it is my understanding that the italian guns may come with slightly smaller chambers than the ROA.

thanks!

-Mad Dog (Soot Lord wannabe)

[hellgate]

I would recommend a Remington C&B because, in my experience, the Uberti 1860 Army and some ASM 1860 armies will take a conical bullet but the Pietta Colts do not have enough room under the barrel & rammer to accept a conical. My ASM Hartford 1860 will with some jiggling and so did a Uberti I once owned. All of the makes of Remington I've had (Pietta, Uberti, & Euroarms) had plenty of room for the LEE 200gr 44 conical. I have not tried the other style of bullets you mentioned for fit yet. None of my 44 cal "Navies" take anything other than a round ball.

[rickk]

I can't comment on which works better as I have never used the Big Lube ROA mold, but LEE made their 90383 mold for the Old Army, and it had the stepped base. I like it myself. Again, I have no experience with the Big Lube version, and don't shoot enough of them to justify another mold.

It may be out of production now, but I searched briefly and see it still in inventory in multiple online sources.

Note that LEE now has a 90384 double cavity mold. It might mas the same bullet as the 90383... I don't know. Their web site doesn't say, Maybe someone else on here knows for sure.


Rick

[Pettifogger]

If you are new to C&B the last thing I would be worried about is trying to find a "dual rebated" conical bullet.  Round balls are much easier to use and will let you get use to the gun before you add an additional layer of potential problem areas.  Typically, Piettas use .451 bullets, Uberti .454 and Ruger .457.  Although for logistical purposes I have at various times used .454 in all of them.

[Wolfgang]

I agree with using round balls.  At least for a start.   But my first Pietta Remington leaded the barrel badly as it was .454 and I was using .451 round balls.  I switched to .457 balls that shave a nice ring of lead and use them in all my .44 cal. Cap & Ball pistols.   

[Dick Dastardly]

Just to make your work easier, there is now a Six cavity Big Lube®LLC round ball mold.  Casting six at a time allows you a LOT more time for shooting.

DD-MDA