Western Bullet Co.

[shil]

Has anyone had any dealings with an outfit called Western Bullet Co., out of Missoula, MT? They have, on their web pages, a very nice selection of cast bullets at seemingly reasonable prices, but, I haven't got an answer to e-mail inquiries, or anyone to answer the telephone. No answering machine. All I want to ask is how hard or soft (BHN) their bullets are.

 

[sellersm]

I have, in the past, ordered some .45 bullets from John. Took a while to get a response from him, but all was good. Don't know the exact BHN, but they seem to be middle of the road, I'd guess 15-18 range?

Probably depends on which bullet you want.

Take this with a grain of salt...

 

[mtgianni]

It is a one man outfit with a good selection of bullets. Jon travels a bit searching estate sales and I believe he does some appraisals as well as gun shows. His hardness does depend on the size of the bullets used. He can be slow to reply but does deliver. When I lived in Missoula he would custom tailor an order if you wanted to add your own lube of checks.

 

[shil]

I didn't realize it was a one-man operation. That explains a lot. Thanks, mtgianni, for the insight. I especially want to try that Rapine 255 grain hollow-base .45 he offers.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I have bought bullets from them many times and I like their products. You can buy from them without worries IMO.

 

[chief38]

Too many complaints listed and only a C rating by the BBB. Stay away! I have always been happy with Dardas Cast Bullets.

 

[pinto]

John is a great honest fellow who makes some pretty unusual bullets.
I am a long time customer and can recommend him without reservation.

 

[Biggfoot44]

I can see "complaints" from being slow and bot sitting on the phone/ internet all day.

As noted , a one man operation , and offering many designs not otherwise available. For mass produced bullets of the typical Magna Engr designs , the usual suspects offer the usual products.

 

[Mad_Charlie]

His website is saying that the 255hb Rapine is not currently available. Shucks, I wanted to try it too.

 

[4barrel]

Health problems & for sale.

 

[austinjeane]

I've bought thousands of bullets from Western bullet Co. and have been quite pleased with both the product and service.

 

[mtgianni]

Too many complaints listed and only a C rating by the BBB. Stay away! I have always been happy with Dardas Cast Bullets.

The BBB offered my father an AAA rating for his plumbing business in 1970 for only $500 a month. He told them to pound sand. I have not trusted their ratings since.

 

[Boxhead]

I have bought bullets from them many times and I like their products. You can buy from them without worries IMO.

+1. I have been using them for years in many handguns (32's to 475's) with zero issues. Quality castings in proper molds and usually shipped within 6-8 weeks. The only downside is that they only size to one diameter so if your cylinder needs something "special" they cannot help like Beartooth can.

 

[Boxhead]

I've bought thousands of bullets from Western bullet Co. and have been quite pleased with both the product and service.

I am thinking you are referring to Montana Bullet Works? Dave made great stuff and I am graetful to have ~10,000 of his slugs ready to go.

 

[pbcaster45]

I've still got some Western Bullet Co. cast bullets at home. I could check them on my LBT Bullet Hardness Tester if you still need the information...

Good quality bullets, I think they measured 12-13 BHN?

 

[revolvergeek]

I have bought from him numerous times and always had prompt shipping and liked the bullets. No complaints here.

 

[bluetopper]

Email him and let him know you want him to make a certain bullet he offers on his site. He will.

 

[shil]

I am impressed with the number of comments favorable to Western posted here! Thanks, Everyone, for the responses. I'm going to give them (him?) a try, also hoping that he'll make another run of those .45 hollow-base bullets. I have a Single Action Army with the cavernous chamber throats! .454's aren't too bad. Those HB's may be better. I can't cast my own so I have to go commercial.