Question?? What is the standard size for 50 cal bullets

johnny2 · 12-08-2007, 07:51 PM

SO can anyone tell me the size of a 50.cal bullet? Like the
Buffalo or something simular..I am thinking of getting a
mold to make my own. Maybe I should wait until the rifle
arrives and measure the bore. But there must be a stand-
ard size for these isn't there? I figure some of you more
experinced shooters should know about this..

I have been shooting my cap lock for years now,but have
no or little knowledge of these in line rifles..I see a lot
of states are allowing the use of them so,im jumping
on the wagon as well..Thanks for any info. you have to
offer.....J Do Little

jaybe · 12-08-2007, 08:09 PM

Yeah - wait until you get the rifle and then slug the barrel. Get a good caliper and measure it land to land. Barrels can vary by a few thousandths, and it sometimes makes quite a difference on how it will shoot.
I'm not into bullet molding, but I'm sure you'll get some good replie on this one.

Good Luck

cayugad · 12-08-2007, 08:34 PM

If you want to produce a cast bullet for sabot, then your options are .429-.430, .451-.452, & .457-.458 for sabots. I cast the .457 in a 405 grain LEE mold, also a .452 in a 200 grain LEE mold, then I cast REAL conicals for the .50 & .54 caliber in both sizes, roundballs for the .490, .530, .535, 570, .600 and I cast a .504 diameter 450 grain conical.

If you want to shoot conicals, then wait for the rifle, and measure the bore and try to cast something close to the diameter of the bore.

MLKeith · 12-08-2007, 10:11 PM

Since no one directly answered your question I will. NO THERE IS NO STANDARD. Furthermore, there is a wide variation from manufacturer to manufacturer. Most T/C inlines tend to be on the tight side. Very close to .499-.500. Most Knights tend to be somewhat larger at about .502 -.504. The spanish rifles I had contact with slugged at .501-.503. And of course the Whites are a little larger at .504-.505. This by the way is only the few rifles that I have been in contact with and as the machining devices wear the barrel sizes vary. Slug your rifle and you will have a lot better chance of getting a bullet to fit properly.

johnny2 · 12-08-2007, 10:59 PM

[blockquote]MLKEITH-Interesting indeed..I my have to cut my own mold...I just aint to keen
on having all that plastic from the sabots breeding in my barrel...Or am I wrong about
that being an issue? I have heard it is a real pain to get out of the barrel..

Cayugad--Have you got any thoughts on the matter? Looks like you much be a real
metal head,doing all that casting..I make bullets for my 45-70 Sharps and will be
for my 50-70 Rolling Block...Are you casting all from lead or do you use a mix...I was
told once that you can't
use wheel weights to make round balls..Hell they shoot fine out of my C V A 50 cal
cap lock..I think the big thing with pure lead is that it has it's own lubeing effect,
sort of like grafite does...

I also have used the wheel weights for making my 45-70 bullets with no big issue..I cannot
see where the pump up of the bullets is any big difference..Well enough rambling...
[/blockquote]

cayugad · 12-08-2007, 11:04 PM

I use pure lead when I cast. You can use wheel weights, but I do not use them. Some claim wheel weight ball is too hard and will lead up your barrels faster. Besides, I have a good supply of pure lead and everything I cast is pure lead. For instance, my 405 .457 FP really weighs 423 grains...