A Bullet challenge.....

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deadin

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Here's a little challenge for some of you BP shooters.
(I've already given a clue by posting in the BP section)

What is it?
Why is it?
What would have shot it?

2piecebullet.jpg


Dean
 
IT is a two piece bullet designed to have a harder base to stand up to heavier powder charges, and a soft nose for reliable expansion. These were developed 20 some odd years ago. Two molds and a swedge to assemble them with.

Oneshooter
Livin in Texas
 
We have a winner!
However I think the development was a little earlier. Maybe 50 yrs ago
I’ve been trying to talk the owner out of the rifle that this was meant for, but haven’t been able to shake it loose.
It’s a 35-40 lb. percussion slug-gun (i.e. BP Benchrest) with all of the accessories. False muzzle, paper patch starter, bullet starter, molds, alternate ignition that uses shotgun primers (in addition to the regular nipple), ramrods, cleaning gear, etc. The only thing missing is the long powder funnel that deposits the 120 to 140 gr. charge at the bottom of the barrel. A couple of the targets with it show it shooting about 1- 1 1/2 moa at 200 yds. (or so it says on the target). It was made by mid-west gunsmith in the 1950-60’s (yes, 19xx) and was featured in American Rifleman around the same time.


Dean
 
Does it use a cross style patch? If so then you will need the pattern for it. The prefered lube for the paper patch was Sperm Whale Oil, kinda hard to get nowdays. JoJoba oil has been found to be a very close subsitute, and is a LOT easier to obtain. Also the paper thickness and type is vital. 100% rag bond paper is prefered.

Oneshooter
Livin in Texas
 
It has a patch pattern/cutter. I was told that $1 bills are good material to make patches for it.
I've made a run at it about every six months for the last couple of years with no luck, I'm beginning to think the owner may outwait me. He doesn't shoot it but seems to want to hold on to it.

Dean
 
For the two piece SLUG GUN bullets, you'll have to go back more than fifty years, try 19th century!

Back in days when ranges measured in RODS.
 
Manyirons is right, the two piece bullet IS older than dirt! It was reintroduced( reinvented?) about 20-30 years ago as a way of producing cast handgun bullets that could be driven at higher velocities with no leading, and still expand. I don't at this time remember who brought them out, but it did not seem to catch on.

Oneshooter
Livin in Texas
 
OK, I am just a beginner here, but why would a benchrest target rifle need a softer nose for better expansion? I mean, once it goes thru the paper, who cares? I could see for hunting, but with a 35-40 lb gun?

Is it somehow more accurate than a fully hard cast bullet would be? Or just a need to be a bit different?
 
Jaxenro!

HARD front, SOFT base. The HARD front is for resisting INERTIAL SLUMP, i.e. tha bullet under extreme force, (200+ grains of powder!) that KINDA explodes (Burns VERY fast) produces a HUGE number of gravities in acceleration. A pure or soft lead tip would SWAGE OUT creating almost a full wadcutter. BAD for downrange ballistics+accuracy.

Conversely, SOFT base is taking advantage of same force to OBTURATE and fully seal tha bore and fully engage tha rifling.

The 'Smith is continuing my education!!!
 
lyman had a set of two moulds consisted of the driving bands with a large hollow in the front and a separate nose section. Cast one hard, the other soft and then epoxy the soft nose into the main body. Cant remember what they called them. I think I saw one magazine article on them and never heard anything again.
 
With Lyman soft point molds, principle was opposite, ya cast tha Base Section HARD ta resist leading&fouling, and tha tip SOFT pure lead ta expand.

Whereas tha slug gun operated on black powder and NEEDED ta obturate and depended upon this for sealing tha bore, tha breech loading revolver bullet was (If dimensions were right!) over tha bore size already.
 
deadin, another accessory needed is a loading rod with a adjustable stop on it. This is to insure consistent loading pressure on the powder. The charging funnel with drop tube can be fabricated from brass tubing. It should also have a stop on it to insure a constant powder drop.

Oneshooter
Livin in Texas
 
I think the rods were there. There were several as I remember.
Every time I look at that bullet, I think that if you just left the front portion off, you would have one heck of a hollow-point. :D
And of course , at 665 grains, I don't imagine there was much "wind effect" on it.

Any idea what something like this would be worth? It's an underhammer, massive octogon barrel, globe front(w/bubble level) and tang rear peep sights,nothing fancy, but very well made and functional.
Maybe I haven't been offering enough to interest the owner.

Dean
 
Value?

Depends upon who made tha thing ta begin with? Joe Shadetree Hack or Revered Old Master Builder Smith.

One of tha GOOD ones, will get ya inta HIGH four figures, a Billy Bob Monkey Wrench Special you'd be happy ta give away! (Middle THREE figures)

First establish WHO made it, advise us, and we go from there as to value. ANY chance ofa picture??
 
Yes, I read it was made by some smith in tha 50s, but WHO? There were several.

Presuming a good one from tha 'featured in a magazine' bit, might mean a real SCARY price.
 
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