455 Bullet Mold

glowe · #1 01-23-2017, 12:35 PM

I picked up a nice shooter 455 to go with my pristine 2nd Model and have been looking for either ammo or bullets lately, but cannot find them. I ran across an RCBS 455 mold and gave it a try. The results were very nice and I wanted to report to those still looking for options on reloading this caliber. I have been using 45 Colt solid base lead RNFP bullets and they do not perform well compared to the Fiocchi ammo.

Cast bullets average 280 to 290 grains and measure .456" They have the appearance and characteristics of the original skirted lead bullets. Fiocchi bullets are around 270 grain. I ran 100 bullets yesterday and the mold works great. Below is a comparison of the current Fiocchi 455s occasionally available and one of my castings.

Next is to load up all my empty brass and get to the range, but am confident that they will shoot well.

glowe · #2 01-23-2017, 12:39 PM

Here is how a loaded cartridge compares to Fiocchi rounds.

bruner1981 · #3 01-23-2017, 12:45 PM

I picked up the same mold for mine and it is great. Though my 455 had the cylinder cut down for 45 auto rim at some point so I have to load them in ACP or auto rim cases, those bullets shoot great

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deadin · #4 01-26-2017, 11:22 AM

Gary,
Thanks for the pictures. (especially #3) I have been trying to figure out how the new design for the base plug worked, and now I see...... The pictures on RCBS and Midway didn't make it clear...
The old one with a separate plug looked like a pain to use.

One question.. Do you have to turn the mould upside down when releasing the bullet to get it to drop off of the plug, or will just tilting it work??

glowe · #5 01-26-2017, 04:17 PM

The bullet literally pops out when you open the mold with the sprue pointed upward. It was much faster casting process than I thought and with the large steel body did not suffer from overheating like aluminum molds. Make sure you check all screws before you use them, since all of mine ended up loose. The screw that tightens the top sprue plate has an allen set screw and when you get the adjustment where you want it, you can lock that screw into place. Once all the screws were adjusted and tightened, problem solved.

smithywess · #6 01-31-2017, 12:27 PM

Have you noticed any difference in accuracy when using this hollow based bullet between Mark I and Mark II cases ? Thanks.

HKSmith · #7 01-31-2017, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glowe

I picked up a nice shooter 455 to go with my pristine 2nd Model and have been looking for either ammo or bullets lately, but cannot find them. I ran across an RCBS 455 mold and gave it a try. The results were very nice and I wanted to report to those still looking for options on reloading this caliber. I have been using 45 Colt solid base lead RNFP bullets and they do not perform well compared to the Fiocchi ammo.

Cast bullets average 280 to 290 grains and measure .456" They have the appearance and characteristics of the original skirted lead bullets. Fiocchi bullets are around 270 grain. I ran 100 bullets yesterday and the mold works great. Below is a comparison of the current Fiocchi 455s occasionally available and one of my castings.

Next is to load up all my empty brass and get to the range, but am confident that they will shoot well.

Another option is the Hornady .454 255 grain swaged lead bullet - these have a shallow hollow base. For many years my only bullet for reloading the .455 Webley was the Remington .455 250 grain flat point, which had a hollow base. I'm down to about 100 of these now out of 3000 purchased and Remington says they have no plans to offer them again. They worked very well for me and I'm sorry to see them go, but I'll try the Hornady bullets for my next batch. Your cast bullets look very nice, but I long ago gave up casting. Reloading, shooting, work, golf, and family take up all my time!