Anyone shoot the Lee 452-200-RF bullet???

[Chuck 100 yd]

I have been trying to find an accurate load for my Uberti 1873 24" .45 Colt rifle. So far about 4" is the best I can get it to shoot at 50yd.
It has a Marbles tang sight.

I have tried a bunch of different powders and loads but I only have one mold appropriate for this rifle, a Lyman 454190 that casts a very nice 250 gr. bullet that I have not been able to get good accuracy with from any of my 4 .45 Colt rifles. ( the Rossi short rifle does pretty good with it). I have been casting of 50/50 WW and pure lead for this rifle and have sized .451, .452 and .454. They all shoot pretty much the same.

The Uberti has a 1 in 17 twist (as best I can measure) and should do good with a 250 gr. bullet. The bore slugs at .450 and is smooth as glass. It does seem to have a slight constriction just at the lead of the rifling but not much.

I ordered a 452-200-RF mold from Lee. We will see how it goes and report.

What do you guys think?? May have to fire lap the constriction out or make a hand lap and do a little work on it.

[O.S.O.K.]

I don't know about the Lee bullet. But I can tell you that the "constriction" that you mention is probably the source of your rifle's refusal to shoot well. It's sizing the bullets down before they hit the rifling and they are probably then skidding and exiting the muzzle very inconsistently.

I would suggest getting that lead opened up to .001" over bore. A gunsmith can do that for you - or contact Uberti and explain your situation -they will most likely do this under warranty - they should.

The only way to overcome this would be to use very soft bullets with plain base or enen a concave base design to encourage the base to obturate in the bore and grab the rifling.

My favorite light load for my Marlin Cowboy 45 Colt is 7 grains of W231 under an Oregon Trail/Laser Cast 250 RNFP - WW cases and WLP primers. Gives almost exactly 1000 fps from the muzzle and shoots great in my Vaqueros too!

[Nath]

Now I ain't no expert but I find it of interest when you say they shoot better in a shorter rifle.
I'm wondering if the lube is any good! Have tried other lubes?

Nath.

[O.S.O.K.]

I forgot to ask: do the targets show signs of tumbling? If so, that constriction is the culprit.

[Chuck 100 yd]

Thanks guys,
O.S.O.K. , There are no signs of tumbling,just poor groups. The constriction I speek of is not a whole lot I am sure. When pushing a slug through from the muzzle end it hangs up just a little at the lead and required a tap with the palm on the rod to make it past the tight spot.
I think that I will cast a lap in the barrel and use some super fine compound to work that area untill the slug meets no resistance in that area. I will try the Lee bullet first though.

Nath , I have shot this bullet in my Win. 94 AE 24" , my Marlin 1894 Cowboy 24" , My Navy Arms Short rifle 20" and the Uberti 73.
The Rossi "Navy arms did the best of all with groups in aprox. 3"
@ 50yd.

The Marlin Cowboy will shoot good with 250 gr.SWC bullets.
I use 50/50 Alox and it has allways done good for me.

This is about average for the Cowboy at 50yd.

[Griff]

I also suspect the constriction is the problem. In my '73 Uberti I've found the RCBS 45-225-CAV to be the best; cast of straight wheelweights and lubed with Lyman Alox (black) for smokeless powder and with SPG for the BP. Been so long since I printed it on paper I'd be lying if I even intimated what a group looked like. But, if I do my part and keenly observe the front sight during firing I"ve failed to miss the steel during our cowboy matches.