.401 bullets

[mhblaw]

Any one know of a bullet maker that makes a +/- 180 grain Keith style semi wad cutter sized .401? Want one for my 38 WCF revolvers. Can find all kinds of RNFP's in that weight and diameter, but looking for a SWC with a crimp groove.

 

[SBH4628]

Look like this? Lyman #40188. No longer made

 

[mhblaw]

That is what I am looking for...but do not cast on my own, even if I could find a mold. But, on second thought, I have a buddy that does cast, if I could find a mold like that.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

There are several companies that make .401" 175gr SWC bullets for the 40 S&W but they don't have a crimp groove. I would assume your 38-40 crimp die would give you a good enough crimp on them even without a crimp groove for revolver use. I crimp Rainier's plated bullets without crimp grooves all the time.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/2046826796

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/723423

...Jimbo

 

[Cherokee]

RCBS makes a 40-170 FN 2 cavity mould like the Lyman - I have one and sized the bullets to .401. Email me if interested.

 

[cellar701]

There are also places such as:

http://www.mountainmolds.com/

who will make a mold to your own design/specs.

I have a friend who has a mold made by this company and it seems very high quality, but other than that I don't have personal experience with them. I am considering having a mold made for casting some bullets for my .405 no. 1 rifle.

 

[Lee Martin]

I shoot a lot of 10mm revolver (401 Bobcat, 401 PowerMag, etc). I've found it easier to just swag 41 slugs to 0.401" instead of casting my own.

Left - 230 grain 10mm, Right - original 41-cal 230 grain Keith from Leadheads

 

[mhblaw]

I tried that Lee, with some OT .412 215 grain bullets, but my Bowen OMBH conversion would not accept them. Used a Lee .401 sizer. I should try on some other brand of bullets. I have some Rim Rock sized .411 and some Montana Bullet Works sized .410. Will try again.

 

[Gatorade]

Bringing this thread back to life to see if anyone had any updated info. I am reloading for a 38-40 Vaquero and used the Lee .401 Truncated Cone mold but then realized it didn't have a crimp grove. Now I am having a hard time finding one. Any input appreciated.

 

[Lee Martin]

I tried that Lee, with some OT .412 215 grain bullets, but my Bowen OMBH conversion would not accept them. Used a Lee .401 sizer. I should try on some other brand of bullets. I have some Rim Rock sized .411 and some Montana Bullet Works sized .410. Will try again.

Just curious....why wouldn't your OMBH accept them?

 

[boltons75]

Bringing this thread back to life to see if anyone had any updated info. I am reloading for a 38-40 Vaquero and used the Lee .401 Truncated Cone mold but then realized it didn't have a crimp grove. Now I am having a hard time finding one. Any input appreciated.

I recently acquired a 38-40 Lyman double cavity mold off eBay, it drops a 175 gr bullet with crimp groove. I am going to try it out in my .40.

 

[CraigC]

I agree that we need a good Keith-style SWC.

Beartooth has a 200gr LBT.

 

[Lee Martin]

Here's the Beartooth slug Craig was referring to:

 

[CraigC]

Lee, what kind of equipment are you using to size your .41 bullets down to .401?

 

[Lee Martin]

I'm using my dad's old bullet swaging press:

They size with ease.

 

[CraigC]

Cool, thanks! I'll have to look into that.

 

[mhblaw]

Either my Lee die did not size down to .401, or the band ahead of the crimp groove is still too big for the throats of the cylinder. Still working on it...

 

[Lee Martin]

Sounds like it didn't size properly. The driving band should be the same size as the base (ie, 0.401").