LOBO
Member
Where can I find Keith style bullets for .357 mag, .41 mag, and .45 Colt?
Where can I find Keith style bullets?
- Thread starter LOBO
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Check out Missouri.....
Check out Missouri Bullets. They make a fine product. Careful to get the right hardness for higher velocities as some are softer for cowboy action shooting.
Check out Missouri Bullets. They make a fine product. Careful to get the right hardness for higher velocities as some are softer for cowboy action shooting.
just plain joe
Member
I second Missouri Bullets. They are good to deal with and the person I spoke with earlier this year was well-versed in the product line.
I got back into reloading lead bullets after finally acquiring a Model 58. I have loaded their 215 grain lead bullets and found minimum leading if velocities are kept around 900 fps.
This works for me. YMMV.
Good luck.
JPJ
I got back into reloading lead bullets after finally acquiring a Model 58. I have loaded their 215 grain lead bullets and found minimum leading if velocities are kept around 900 fps.
This works for me. YMMV.
Good luck.
JPJ
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elpac3
Member
I get mine from Rim Rock. Western Bullets has the 429421 for the .44.
Stranglehold
Member
Missouri Bullets may make fine bullets, but they are not a Keith design. as their bullets have a beveled base. A true Keith design such as the Lyman 429421 will never have a beveled base.
Beartooth Bullets and Matt's Bullets,along with Rim Rock and Western all offer a variety of Keith designs or others that follow the pattern closely.
When it comes to the .45 Colt, Western offers the RCBS 45-270-SAA . Designed not by Keith, but by Dave Scovill, it follows the Keith /Ideal/Lyman pattern closely with a few improvements and has proven to be an excellent bullet.
When ordering any commercial cast bullets, match bullet diameter to cylinder throats whenever possible.
Roe
Beartooth Bullets and Matt's Bullets,along with Rim Rock and Western all offer a variety of Keith designs or others that follow the pattern closely.
When it comes to the .45 Colt, Western offers the RCBS 45-270-SAA . Designed not by Keith, but by Dave Scovill, it follows the Keith /Ideal/Lyman pattern closely with a few improvements and has proven to be an excellent bullet.
When ordering any commercial cast bullets, match bullet diameter to cylinder throats whenever possible.
Roe
novalty
Member
There are RCBS KT molds for sale on eBay in 38 and 41 Caliber: 38-150, and 41-210.
boatbum101
Member
+ 1 for Rimrock
I always love the Keith discussions!! For a Keith "style of profile", Missouri is fine. As mentioned, there are many other options.
What's your planned purpose? Do you want a true Keith bullet or just one that has a 'similar' profile of a Keith?
What's your planned purpose? Do you want a true Keith bullet or just one that has a 'similar' profile of a Keith?
ostlund
Member
Look at Mt Baldy Bullets out of Cody Wyoming too. True square bases you get. I really liked Lynn's (Dry Creek Bullet Works) too but I think has quit now, for awhile, I hope coming back.
S&WIowegan
US Veteran
I bought all my genuine Keith Bullets from: Leadheads Bullets at Leadheads Bullets,Gas Checked and Plain Based Bullets. I highly recommend them.
Does a bevel base......
You are right, of course...good catch. But does a bevel make any practical difference in shooting except for not being a 100% authentic Keith bullet? I don't know how anybody can measure the ogive radii for correctness but a large meplat is an important feature.
You are right, of course...good catch. But does a bevel make any practical difference in shooting except for not being a 100% authentic Keith bullet? I don't know how anybody can measure the ogive radii for correctness but a large meplat is an important feature.
Stranglehold
Member
Every aspect of the Keith bullet was designed for a reason.
The three equal width driving bands keeps the bullet aligned in the cylinder throat, and that full caliber front band insures positive engagement with the rifling as the bullet passes through the forcing cone.
The wide and deep grease groove holds plenty of lube to prevent leading caused by the bullet running out of lube before it exits the barrel.
A beveled crimp groove allows for a tight crimp but assists in a smooth release during ignition.
The nose of a Keith bullet is designed with a gentle ogive for long range accuracy and ends in a flat meplat for good wound channels.
And finally the flat base prevents gas cutting of the bullet to prevent leading and to assist in accuracy. Keith abhorred gas checks, claiming they boosted pressures and were unnecessary when care was taken with matching both bullet hardness and diameter with the targeted velocity.
I have used the common, commercially cast, beveled-based SWCs, but relegate them to plinking duty with moderate charges of powders having relatively low flame temperatures. For long range work or hunting duties I much prefer a true Keith SWC or a Keith/Thompson design with a gas check ( I don't share Keith's scorn of gas checks).
Roe
The three equal width driving bands keeps the bullet aligned in the cylinder throat, and that full caliber front band insures positive engagement with the rifling as the bullet passes through the forcing cone.
The wide and deep grease groove holds plenty of lube to prevent leading caused by the bullet running out of lube before it exits the barrel.
A beveled crimp groove allows for a tight crimp but assists in a smooth release during ignition.
The nose of a Keith bullet is designed with a gentle ogive for long range accuracy and ends in a flat meplat for good wound channels.
And finally the flat base prevents gas cutting of the bullet to prevent leading and to assist in accuracy. Keith abhorred gas checks, claiming they boosted pressures and were unnecessary when care was taken with matching both bullet hardness and diameter with the targeted velocity.
I have used the common, commercially cast, beveled-based SWCs, but relegate them to plinking duty with moderate charges of powders having relatively low flame temperatures. For long range work or hunting duties I much prefer a true Keith SWC or a Keith/Thompson design with a gas check ( I don't share Keith's scorn of gas checks).
Roe
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Rim Rock's .41 Mag 240gr Keith SWC-FB have performed well for me in my 657. I "cheaped out" when I bought their 44 Mag bullets. Their 240gr SWC-BB are cheaper (than the FB) but lead at the FC in my 629.
Missouri Bullets "Keith" bullets are BB too but if you get their coated bullets you shouldn't have to worry about leading.
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Missouri Bullets "Keith" bullets are BB too but if you get their coated bullets you shouldn't have to worry about leading.
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StrawHat
Member
If you insist on buying from a casting company, make sure the bullet diameter matches your cylinder throats. I prefer .001 or .002 larger and a softer alloy. It makes for less leading.
I prefer casting my own and have purchased custom Group Buy molds from various manufactures from one of the cast bullet sites. I have true Keith styles in 32, 38 and 45 caliber. A little investment but a lifetime of bullets. (I also have full wadcutter molds for the same calibers.)
Kevin
I prefer casting my own and have purchased custom Group Buy molds from various manufactures from one of the cast bullet sites. I have true Keith styles in 32, 38 and 45 caliber. A little investment but a lifetime of bullets. (I also have full wadcutter molds for the same calibers.)
Kevin
CScott
Member
Matt's bullets gave me excellent service the one time I ordered Keiths from them. The .454's look to my eye to be a true Keith design.
GCF
Member
Last I heard, Mt Baldy had shut down their operation. Have you dealt w/ them recently?
If so, please post some contact info. They always made a great CB!
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I've shot thousands of Rim Rock's 158 gr bullets in my 38's and 357's without any problems. However, I recently purchased 500 of their 260 grain Keith bullets and they lead so badly in 3 different guns (2 44 mags and a 44 spcl.) that I can't use them. Don't know why after the great success I've had with the 158's.
