Lyman 515141 Bullet

[Patrick Henry Brown]

I got my new Lyman mold in a few days ago and just cast some new bullets with it. First thing I noticed is the nose of the bullet is very narrow, and appears to be smaller than the primer pocket on my 56-50 cases. Seems like a dangerous situation with a tubular magazine. I'm wondering now if I've wasted my money. As close as I can measure, the flat nose diameter of the bullet is 0.185". Any comments or suggestions? Anyone else using this bullet? 

[Arizona Trooper]

Try putting a stack of cartridges in the magazine tube without putting it in the gun and look in the slot. You'll quickly see that they don't line up nose to tail, but the nose of each bullet is offset so that it rests on the base of the cartridge ahead. The only way it will hit squarely on the primer is if you have a high one.

Use only rifle primers!!! (Which are a lot less sensitive than pistol primers.) Be sure your primers are correctly seated. With these two precautions you won't have any problems. I've been shooting a cut down 515141 (375 grains) since about 1983 and haven't had any problems with it. In fact, it's my favorite slug for 56-50, 50 carbine and Smith.

[Hell-Er High Water]

I have posted this info here several times in the past, but it never hurts to let the new Spencer shooters in on what has taken place in the past.

When I first got my Spencer in early 2004 I didn't like the shape of the Lyman 515141 bullet, that I had been loading for years for my 50-70, for use in the Spencer.  I just didn't like the idea of a magazine full of loaded ammunition with bullets with this small of a nose sitting right under my chin.

It was then that I first modified a Lee 515-500-F mould by machining off the two bottom bands and grooves.  This produced a mould that produces a bullet of approximatly 335 grains with a nice large meplate.  This bullet has proved accurate with both BP and smokeless powder and is the bullet that I continue to use to this day.

Dakota Widowmaker asked me about his marketing moulds for this bullet and I told him that I was a shooter, not a manufacturer, and he has in the past sold modified moulds for this bullet and he may still be doing so.

Like Arizona Trooper says, they don't line up nose to tail.  But who knows what goes on in the magazine during recoil and when cycling the action.  For me, it's not worth taking the chance.  But let you conscience be your guide.

Good shooting

HHW

[French Jack]

The Lyman 515139 and the Jim 513-350 from Buffalo Arms have a large meplat and are suitable for use.