NEI 458-405-GC #344D

Creeker

Well-Known Member
Many frosty mornings ago I spoke with Tim Sundles (Buffalo Bore) concerning a bullet for the 45-70. I was operating Dry Creek Bullet Works at the time & wanted a bullet which would give good results & sell. Tim suggested the RCBS 45-405-FN & reported good accuracy from his rack of rifles. He's also dispatched more than a few black bear with this bullet & simply said it does the job.

Next I spoke with Walt Melander & asked about the #344 bullet. He said it was a copy of the RCBS bullet. I ordered a single cavity cut in his blocks & fitted with Magma keys & sprue cutter. The mould casts like a dream from factory hardball alloy, wheel weights or scrap lead. Magma sent a .460" sizer for the bullet & I was off running.

The bullet sold well enough & somewhere there is a picture of a customer & bison, one shot kill. Any way a friend asked if I would make him a few of these for his Marlin. He purchase this bullet from us several years ago & said it shot extremely well at 1900 FPS (makes me hurt all over) but being older now he plans to tone them back a little.

Here's a 4 1/2 minute video of the Master Caster & mould in action. Hope you enjoy it.

 

Creeker

Well-Known Member
Thanks gman. I do them for people who love their hobby. I spend time on u-tube myself watching people shoot & load.
 

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
I looks like it makes casting a bit more leisurely. The machine does the work for you.
 

Kevin Stenberg

Well-Known Member
I wish you would have shown what happens during the sprue cut, and the bullet drop.
Since i'm chatting with you. How long does it take to get a mold to release the bullet when the mold is opened? I find bullet release is probably the hardest part of casting.
 

358156 hp

At large, whereabouts unknown.
It also beautifully illustrates the changes you see in the sprue as it hardens. I've heard claims of up to five different changes in sprue appearance before the sprue is ready to cut. I generally only see perhaps three to four.
 

Creeker

Well-Known Member
I wish you would have shown what happens during the sprue cut, and the bullet drop.
Since i'm chatting with you. How long does it take to get a mold to release the bullet when the mold is opened? I find bullet release is probably the hardest part of casting.

When the sprue is ready to cut you pull the handle down. The sprue is cut & falls over a divider into a box containing sprues. The mould carrier is spring loaded so once the carrier leaves the side guides the mould halves split & open. The mould carrier then strikes its stop & bullet bullet is shook from the mould on the pot side of the divider fall into the bullet box.

At 3 minutes & 15 seconds or so you can see the divider which they call a baffle.
 
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