My version of a Lyman 54-450 Great Plains

[BCS]

I only have a Lee Real mold that shoots OK.
Thought it would be nice to have a heavier bullet for my DeHass 1-36 twist 54.
Now I need to make a size die.

 

[BCS]

All the slots and drilled holes are in, now to make the sprue plate.

 

[BCS]

A bit heavier than expected, but better.
Diameter came in at .5435 and weight is 472 grains.
Nose flat is about .35, looks ok.
Bore is just under .542, now to make a size die.

 

[phalanx]

Nice looking mold and bullets. That's a thumper for sure! Thanks for sharing.

 

[BCS]

I think it could use a bit more speed, and a sized bullet tends to group better.
Next, make a sizer or two.

 

[BCS]

Magneto speed pushed the bullet up.

I used a stub pc of the barrel to size the bullets thru.

I opened and added some length to the middle and top band.

Shooting for .546, but they came out .5485.

Now I have to size them.

This may be an Elk Rifle yet!

 

[BCS]

I changed the band width a bit.

Powder coated bullets size .0002 smaller than just plain lead.

A nice fit with lead, goes to a slip fit with PC.

 

[BCS]

New version, a 4 bander. Same length, four thinner bands with more bearing surface length. Same basic shape.

See if this one is grips the 37 year old rifling better than the 3 band?

54-477 ish.

 

[BCS]

The original was 478 grain, these are 486 grain.

Same length, the band change added 8 grains.

Now I wait for better weather to shoot.

 

[BCS]

I used the same cutter and spacing as on the 50-450 mold.

Same length and profile as the 478 mold.