montana bullet works

[running iron]

I noticed the new issue of "HANDLOADER" had a great deal of information on loading the 200 gr. 45 acp and 38 Special. They also gave a pretty big plug for montana bullet works and their bullets. I went to their web page and saw that they were getting almost as much for their lead bullets as Hornady was getting for their XTP's. Does anyone know what is so special about montana bullet works' bullets to get that much money for them?

 

[flat top]

I use two different brands of "store bought" cast bullets...Beartooth, and Montana. They are both of very high quality...consistant weight, and size...very precisely made. I use the Montana's for 1850 fps and below...mostly in the 44 Mag handgun, and I use the Beartooths for the higher velocities and for large game in both handgun and rifle. Both of these companies go beyond the norm as far as producing high quality precision cast bullets. Where accuracy and hunting performance is required, they have become my first choice...and, the most important point, they are consistant from one batch to the next...no surprises....just as consistant as store bought jacketed bullets....maybe better! I have talked to both Dave at Montana, and Marshall at Beartooth, and both are "dead serious" about producing the highest quality cast bullets available, and I think that their bullets speak to that. As far as price is concerned, I dont mind paying the big bucks for high quality bullets that must work consistantly. For plinking, the lesser expensive bullets do a fine job.

 

[Jim Watson]

What you get for taking gunzine plugs too seriously.

I am not now set up to cast, so I am buying BPCR bullets from Montana Bullet Works. They shoot well, but I would not pay their prices for pistol bullets; there are too many bulk casters that make good enough stuff for my use in IDPA. I am currently buying moly coated bullets from Billy Bullets and some from Black Bullets International.

 

[TSQUARED]

I noticed the new issue of "HANDLOADER" had a great deal of information on loading the 200 gr. 45 acp and 38 Special. They also gave a pretty big plug for montana bullet works and their bullets. I went to their web page and saw that they were getting almost as much for their lead bullets as Hornady was getting for their XTP's. Does anyone know what is so special about montana bullet works' bullets to get that much money for them?

They may have been referring to Montana Gold Bullet Co which manufactures jacketed bullets for pistol calibers as well as 0.224" rifle bullets. I use the Montana Gold bullets in my 9mm and 38 Special - excellent bullets at a very competitive price.

 

[running iron]

Thanks Flat top for your input. I was thinking more of target shooting. And TSQUARED, no I know what Montana Gold bullets are and buy them by the thousand for target shooting and buy the cheaper SWC from Hunters supply or Mangus. I was just shocked at the price of the montana bullet works price, but as Flat top pointed out, they must take extra care in their casting. I have put off casting my own, but my neighbor cast his and said he will help me get set up. I guess that's the way to go if you are serious and want to save some money too.

 

[flat top]

Some of these commercial bullet casters have everything down pat....I used to cast my own when I had the time (dont anymore), and I thought my bullets were the best, until I shot the Beartooth and then the Montana....I would imagine that each of these guys has a particular niche that they fill, and the bullet selections from each are a bit different....I use them both, have had great success with each, and I really dont care if I ever see a casting pot again! LOL!

 

[MTAustin]

Dave Jennings (Montana Bullet Works) hand-casts all of his bullets (no automated machines). That's his time spent sitting over a hot casting pot with a ladle in one hand and a mould in the other. Additionally, he alloys, sizes, lubes, and weight-sorts each batch per customer request. All of this takes serious time. What's your time worth?

His bullets are top-quality. I've used them for 1000 yard BPCR competition, and his consistency and negligible weight-deviation are outstanding. BPCR requires precision cast bullets tailored to each rifle, which is why most guys who compete in BPCR cast there own. The few I know who don't cast their own buy bullets from Dave.

If you're casually shooting at close distances and don't need that high quality of a bullet, there are cheaper sources.

I know nothing about Beartooth.

 

[Paul105]

I've used a bunch of Montana Bullet Works bullets. I've also used Beartooth Bullets products. Everything flat top and MTAustin said above is right on. I don't know what Beartooth's current turn around time is (it was several + months last time I ordered from them a long time ago) but Mt Bullet Wrks is a couple of weeks at most and generally a week or so.

These two outfits offer bullets (along with Cast Performance and Mt Baldy) that aren't readily available else where. This is particualry true if you shoot big for caliber bullets or big bore calibers (.475 and up) or need a gas checked design.

Now with that said, they are expensive and in standard calibers and stadard weights, jacketed bullets can be had for pretty much the same price.

My solution is to use less expensive commercial cast bullets for plinking and practice with standard calibers and buy the premium cast stuff for more serious work, when using heavy for caliber bullets, or in big bore calibers.

Paul

 

[Boxhead]

I use MBW exclusively in my revolvers as Dave offers the styles and calibers I want that machine cast folks don't. He will also cast them hard or a bit softer and he sizes them as requested so the right throat fit can be achieved. I just bought 500 265 gr Kieth SWC's from Beartooth sized to .457" for my fat throated M25-5. He was the only guy I could find with such a bullet sized so. The arrived in three weeks.

 

[rkrcpa]

I'll agree with everybody else about Montana Bullet Works. Did you ever try to find a 41 Cal Keith bullet sized .410? Dave's the only guy I could find that makes those.

 

[WHO CARES]

I like Dave at MBW and have had nothing but good experience with him or his bullets. A couple of years ago when the price of lead went up so drastically all the bullet places raised their prices and MBW went up the most and has stayed there. I currently use his bullets only when I want to try something different or test a bullet before buying a mould.

There are many other places that make bullets of very good quality as well and many can be purchased for considerably less $$.

I would buy more if he dropped prices a bit - but apparantly he is keeping as busy as he wants to be.

Ward