Please identify meplat diameter and length from meplat to crimp groove for these Lyman 45 Colt bullets. I want to use these in my Freedom Arms Model 97s. Their Single Action Army-length cylinders limits overall cartridge length to 1.600 inches. So the amount of "nose" above cartridge case mouth can be a deal breaker for a given bullet's utility in the revolvers.

1. 452651 - 325 grains with gas check

2. 452664 - 250 grains plain base

3. 454190 - 250 grains plain base

I'll do the easy one, Lyman 454190 has no crimp groove. The base was meant to rest on a case full of black powder. That kept it from being set back while a roll crimp just at the start of the ogive keep it from jumping forward.

Attached Images

Lyman_Mold_454190-J.W.Cusey_263_gr_Sketch.Jpg (141.5 KB, 39 views)

452190 ='s 1.600" oal
452664 ='s 1.570" oal
452651 ='s 1.630" oal

The 452664 bullet is very popular in the cowboy action circles. The short oal and crimp groove makes this bullet a easy choice.

Many thanks for overall length data.

Would you follow-up with meplat diameters?

You can roll crimp over the ogive if the bullet length is too long.
The secret is starting at the START load and working up.

I attempted this procedure with RCBS' SAA 270-grain SWC. Crimping not in crimp groove resulted in poor accuracy consistency. Changing to Saeco 454 300-grain SWC-GC allowed Model 97s to shine.

Having learned a lesson, I'm trying to identify other bullets.

I have no idea what what size the different meplats are.

Doubt results were due to deep seating -- most likely a gun/component compatibility issue (all guns different). Here's a 50 yd group with 270 SAA deep seated from my 4 1/4" FA M97.



I never could get the SAECO 300gr to shoo accurately in my gun (just another example of all guns a bit different). On the other hand, the 300gr RCBS SWCGC deep seated using H110 is the most consistently accurate load in my M97.

FWIW,

Paul