A new steed has arrived in the big lube stable of fine designs.

[Dick Dastardly]

It took a LOT of experimenting, some hard learning, real engineering, a lot of shooting and now a different manufacturer.  The prototype DD458492 45-70 Mk-III mold is finally here.  It took a fine tool and die maker Four tries, but the end product is now in my hands.  The new mold is cut in iron.  It has Two cavities and fits LEE Six cavity mold handles.

The mission for this bullet design is long range BPCR match shooting out to 1000 yards.

Tomorrow the casting begins.

DD-DLoS

[Silver Creek Slim]

Hope it flies good fer ya.

Slim

[Cuts Crooked]

First and most important question fer me is, will the molds be available? Oh, I'll give ya time to test the new design fer sure, but you KNOW I'm gonna want one if it's at all good!

I found a home fer my original DD 500 grainer, the pard wanted it fer a 45-90 he plans to have. But I still have the other two, both of which I have been pretty happy with. So I figger I'll have to have one of these too!

[Dick Dastardly]

Thanks Pards,

Yes, this will be a mold that will be offered for sale.  But, first it has to prove out.  I'm going to send a set of bullets to Cuts to wring out.

All the effort, engineering and data indicate a very stable bullet design that will haul enough lube without compromising the rigidity of the center column.  The ballistic shape actually forfeits nothing over the previous spire point design in ballistic coefficient while having the advantage of less deformation in lube/sizing and handling.  It's a more "pockitable" shape, and that might matter to hunters.

As stated, it's made for long haul shooting.  But, this also ought to be a fine bullet for heavy/dangerous game when properly cast in appropriate alloy for the mission at hand.

Ok, so I'm excited.  Casting and shooting will shed some real light on what is now only a concept.

DD-DLoS

[Springfield Slim]

Seems like it would be more versatile if the diameter was at least .460. I frequently have customers asking for .460 45-70 bullets but the Big Lube 385 grainer dropped at only .458 also, so I couldn't help them. Easier to size down than size up. Oh yeah, you can't size up. Oh well.

[Dick Dastardly]

I will get some bullets cast soon as this sub zero weather moderates enuf to get some consistency.  LEE molds may have made me a mite gun shy.  LEE allows Three Thousands over and none under.  I'm thinkn' this new mold will be right on the money.  I'll report soon as I have some cast.

DD-DLoS

[john boy]

I will get some bullets cast soon as this sub zero weather moderates enuf to get some consistency.

Hey Dick - Sunday it's going to be 32 F and Monday is even better.  What ya waiting for? 

[Dick Dastardly]

Could be some casting this weekend.  Probably 10 below zero tonight, then warming trend.  I'll get out the little propane blind heater and fire it up.

DD-DLoS

[Dick Dastardly]

First heat on the new DD458492 Mk-III mold just now.  I cast bullets till my feet got too cold.  The photo below will help you to understand.  I was working in the screen porch at ambient temperature.

The new DD458492 Mk-III bullets weigh 495 grains as cast.  My mike reads 'em at .459" and they are VERY consistent.  The finish is very smooth.  Way more smooth than I'd been getting from aluminum molds.  The parting line is so fine that it's hard to see or feel.  The bases are absolutely plumb and the sprue cut is well centered and smooth.

I'll start loading some, probably tonight.  Can't fly any till the range opens up.  Right now they have a good Two feet of snow on the ground and the road isn't plowed.

I put an interesting photo below trying to put these bullets in context.  They aren't designed for Cowboy Action shooting.  Their mission is long range black powder cartridge rifle match shooting.  I expect a number of Iron Buffalo to succumb to them.

DD-DLoS

[Deadeye Dick]

Guess Oregon rain isn't so bad after all. Brrrrr!

[Arcey]

Lookin' real nice, Dick. Wish I had an application for 'em. Oh well.

Give 'em a good ride on a trail of fire 'n brimstone.

[Dick Dastardly]

It's a good excuse to dig around for an old rollin' block.  Mine used to be a Spaniard 43 but the barrel wasn't good enuf to make a fence post of.  Onlyist thing we saved was the action.  Green Mt. barrel, new wood, Lee Shaver Soule rear and globe front sights.  She's pure fun to shoot.

If I had to do it on a tight budget I'd look at that H&R.  I've seen some fantastic shootn' done with 'em and they don't break the bank either.

DD-DLoS

[Dick Dastardly]

Hey Deadeye,

That's a sunroom at the end of the deck.  Inside there's a hot tub.  I'm gonna be sittin' in steamin' water and lookin' out at that snow and thumbin' my nose at Algore.

DD-DLoS

[Deadeye Dick]

DD, Ya might wanta be careful for all that steam and hot water could make that man's prediction come true.    By the way that roll'in block is sure purty. You'll have to let us know how them boolits shoot.

[Silver Creek Slim]

Nice lookin' boolits, DD.

Slim

[Crusty]

DD,
I just found my newsletter again and read about the new mould supplier.  I look forward to hear how well they fly.
Crusty
PS--I appreciate your snow photos.  Current temp here on Montana's Rocky Mountain Front is -18°, chill factor is -44°--I ain't castin anything right now.

[Cuts Crooked]

Hey DD!!

My samples arrived the other day but I had to work over the weekend and then a electrical wiring job on my new building needed to be finished and I didn't even get around to opening the package until last night.

VERY NICE!!!!!!

I plan to stuff ten of them on top of some Goex CTG and try them at 100 yards to get a feel for how they will fly. Then, assuming all goes well, I'll try ten with KIK and the other ten with Schuetzen at 200 yrads. That should tell me what potential they've got!

Unfortunately, it's gonna be a while before the range is accessable. Talked to a freind who tried to get back to it this week and he sayz the lane is a solid sheet of ice! Which doesn't sound so bad until one takes into account the hills and valleys along the way!

[Paladin UK]

Ho Dick,
Finally, got ta sizin my 36`s....

Police = .370
Navy =  .375
Spiller = .372
Sherrif = .370

Hope that helps
Paladin (What needs a DD .36 Big Lube Boolit  ) UK