Lee and Lyman .50 cal Bullet Molds

3818 Views 16 Replies 4 Participants Last post by hombre243, Sep 12, 2014

hombre243

Discussion Starter · Aug 31, 2014 (Edited)

If you would like to buy, PM me and let me know what you need, or, I will send you a list of what I have if there are any inquiries. 50 Caliber only.

Thanks
h

Well, I am pulling this offer until i hear back from CVA. I have had my 45 Kodiak for several years and just today read there is a recall on it. So I will get a new replacementif the recall is still in effect. That means I will get a 50 instead of a 45 because they don, to my knowledge build 45s anymore.

I will let you know.

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

hombre243

Discussion Starter · #2 · Sep 3, 2014

4

I decided to keep the molds and 50 cal stuff.

I thought my old Kodiak was ready for the bone yard because there was a recall and I thought the rifle was on the list. SOOOOOOOOO...to make sure I had a rifle for early deer season I bought a CVA Wolf. It was a clearance item so I got it on the cheap. Under $150.00 Now I have to go shoot it and that may be tomorrow if I get off work early enough. If not tomorrow...maybe the weekend.

I found out after I got the new rifle my gun was ok...I misread the serial number so now I have a new .50 cal deer blaster.

What do ya think?

See less See more

oldbrass

· #3 · Sep 3, 2014

Nice rifle, I`ve tried 3 different molds for my .54 and none of them will load without a hammer to start them..I use pure lead but I guess it`s a bit undersized

hombre243

Discussion Starter · #4 · Sep 3, 2014

oldbrass said:
Nice rifle, I`ve tried 3 different molds for my .54 and none of them will load without a hammer to start them..I use pure lead but I guess it`s a bit undersized

54s are usually .530 or .535. The Maxi Bullets from T/C have one ring that has to overcome the lands...the top one. Great plains bullets have 2 or 3. I cant remember. But, all are hard to start. I use saboted bullets. They're much easier to load. BUT, I had a .54 Renegade years ago that was the same way...I used the 400 or 450 gr Maxis and they were the most accurate bullets I ever shot.

What size bullets do you use? Also, who manufactured it. Some 54's are not 54s...they're 53s and use even smaller bullets.

greyhawk50

· #5 · Sep 3, 2014

3

I think that you're going to be very pleased with the Kodiak. I have the CVA Optima 50 cal. SS model.
I love it. The EZ Out Breech Plugs makes cleaning much easier. Really great when you forget to add the powder before ramming the bullet home. (only happened a couple times when I was distracted by an on-looker)
It has always shot well. Even the first round out of the box was dead on.

Here are the initial range targets with Iron Sights. The Bulls Eye is 2" just for reference.

Lookiong forward to the Range Report.

See less See more

hombre243

Discussion Starter · #6 · Sep 3, 2014

greyhawk50 said:
I think that you're going to be very pleased with the Kodiak. I have the CVA Optima 50 cal. SS model.
I love it. The EZ Out Breech Plugs makes cleaning much easier. Really great when you forget to add the powder before ramming the bullet home. (only happened a couple times when I was distracted by an on-looker)
It has always shot well. Even the first round out of the box was dead on.

Here are the initial range targets with Iron Sights. The Bulls Eye is 2" just for reference.

Lookiong forward to the Range Report.

I never got good groups with the Kodiak. BUT I only had it out in the heat of the summer and it was about 100 both times...mid day or early afternoon. Neither my Lyman or the Kodiak shot well that day. Then I got a Bone Collector the next year and it would not group worth a poo. It was a monster to shoot with the shortened stock and 5.5lbs weight. I got headaches after about 4-5 shots. I pawned it for about half what it was worth. I kept the Kodiak. This year I will try the Wolf. The weather is a lot cooler and I am more knowledgeable about these modern smokepoles. I wish I have my home built CVA 45 longrifle, or my first 44 (Navy Arms) Kentuck. I would not be afraid to compete with either at 50-100 yards.

I am lookin forward to getting back out. I been cooped up way to long.

hombre243

Discussion Starter · #7 · Sep 3, 2014

greyhawk50 said:
I think that you're going to be very pleased with the Kodiak. I have the CVA Optima 50 cal. SS model.
I love it. The EZ Out Breech Plugs makes cleaning much easier. Really great when you forget to add the powder before ramming the bullet home. (only happened a couple times when I was distracted by an on-looker)
It has always shot well. Even the first round out of the box was dead on.

Here are the initial range targets with Iron Sights. The Bulls Eye is 2" just for reference.

Lookiong forward to the Range Report.

Good shootin...50 yards...open sights. I hope I can do that good with a scope.

greyhawk50

· #8 · Sep 3, 2014

hombre243 said:
Good shootin...50 yards...open sights. I hope I can do that good with a scope.

Thanks, but keep in mind, I only document the best groups. (wink - wink) Hard to tell what the worst groups looked like.

The Tru-Glow Sights helped a lot.
And those targets are from 4-5 years ago, before my eye sight started going south.
Although some of those targets were shot with a Sabot & the Hornady 265 gr. FTX, my CVA seems to really like a Sabot with the Hornady 200gr. XTP.
Although the 265 gr. FTX seem to group well, there are indications that they tumble. It you look real close at the targets, the holes aren't uniform like the 200 gr. XTPs. I haven't tried the 265 at 100 yards. Maybe they need a longer distance to stabilize???

I have a good inventory of the 200 gr. XTPs and they shoot well. I wouldn't trust them on deer beyond 100 yards. I'm think that the lack of sustained energy with the lighter bullet might prevent good penetration??

If I ever have the opportunity to hunt larger game, I have some 250 gr. Shock Wave Sabots that I'll try. Maybe even some 295 gr. Powerbelts??

I have used 100 gr. of Pyrodex RS (ff) or 100 gr. of 777 with good results. Have also used 90 gr. of Pyrodex P (fff) with good success. You might want to try different weight bullets to see what the rifle likes.
I also swab the barrel between each shot. That takes extra time but it assures that each shot is the same as the last as far as a clean bore. I use T-13 Bore cleaner and make 2 passes (1 patch flipped over) and then 2 passes with a dry patch (1 patch flipped over).

Because you cast your own bullets, you might try a .430 bullet with a sabot???

Waiting patiently for the range report.

See less See more

hombre243

Discussion Starter · #9 · Sep 3, 2014

greyhawk50 said:
Thanks, but keep in mind, I only document the best groups. (wink - wink) Hard to tell what the worst groups looked like. The Tru-Glow Sights helped a lot.
And those targets are from 4-5 years ago, before my eye sight started going south.
Although some of those targets were shot with a Sabot & the Hornady 265 gr. FTX, my CVA seems to really like a Sabot with the Hornady 200gr. XTP.
Although the 265 gr. FTX seem to group well, there are indications that they tumble. It you look real close at the targets, the holes aren't uniform like the 200 gr. XTPs. I haven't tried the 265 at 100 yards. Maybe they need a longer distance to stabilize???

I have a good inventory of the 200 gr. XTPs and they shoot well. I wouldn't trust them on deer beyond 100 yards. I'm think that the lack of sustained energy with the lighter bullet might prevent good penetration??

If I ever have the opportunity to hunt larger game, I have some 250 gr. Shock Wave Sabots that I'll try. Maybe even some 295 gr. Powerbelts??

I have used 100 gr. of Pyrodex RS (ff) or 100 gr. of 777 with good results. Have also used 90 gr. of Pyrodex P (fff) with good success. You might want to try different weight bullets to see what the rifle likes.
I also swab the barrel between each shot. That takes extra time but it assures that each shot is the same as the last as far as a clean bore. I use T-13 Bore cleaner and make 2 passes (1 patch flipped over) and then 2 passes with a dry patch (1 patch flipped over).

Because you cast your own bullets, you might try a .430 bullet with a sabot???

Waiting patiently for the range report.

I have many different sizes of bullets and sabots, both nominally 45s and also some 50s to be fired without a sabot. Probably about a dozen types and sizes altogether. I wiped my back out today bending over to secure a wheelchair on my bus, so when I am sitting I am lookin straight ahead. When I am walking I am looking in the vicinity of my covered up feet. (Cant see my feet for the lean-to...if ya know what I mean...)

SO the range report has to wait. Be patient my son...I will blow some holes for you soon. Maybe even some semifrozen jello filled gallon jugs.

greyhawk50

· #10 · Sep 4, 2014

Praying that you get better real soon.

hombre243

Discussion Starter · #11 · Sep 4, 2014

greyhawk50 said:
Praying that you get better real soon.

Thanks sir,
I was born with a small spinal defect. The Doc the put me on the train home from Great Lakes said...in a few plain words..."the condition you have will do this...one of these days you will bend over and you won't be able to bend back up."

I was afraid it meant permanently...and someday it may be. But for now it just means walking with a cane and backing down stairs.

Been doin it for years. In fact tonight I feel 83.426% better. A good night sleep should take care of it.

oldbrass

· #12 · Sep 4, 2014

hombre243 said:
54s are usually .530 or .535. The Maxi Bullets from T/C have one ring that has to overcome the lands...the top one. Great plains bullets have 2 or 3. I cant remember. But, all are hard to start. I use saboted bullets. They're much easier to load. BUT, I had a .54 Renegade years ago that was the same way...I used the 400 or 450 gr Maxis and they were the most accurate bullets I ever shot.

What size bullets do you use? Also, who manufactured it. Some 54's are not 54s...they're 53s and use even smaller bullets.

The LEE real slug and a .54 connical...Its a T/C newenglander...530 RB and a .10 patch even fits good and snug

hombre243

Discussion Starter · #13 · Sep 4, 2014

oldbrass said:
The LEE real slug and a .54 conical...Its a T/C newenglander...530 RB and a .10 patch even fits good and snug

I had a Renegade. It used .530 or .535 round balls but I didn't use those often. I liked the Maxi's. For me they were easier to load than the patched round ball. But I do remember using the .535 mostly. I used precut patches and they were pretty stiff.

I don't have any poured but I do have a Lee Real mold for the 50. I will see what diameter mine come out at. Lee Reals are hard to load because of the bands. Using bore butter seemed to help.

If you slug your barrel and measure the diameter that will give you the true bore size. If you find that the lands are smaller than normal specs, you may need to size the bullets down a notch or 2 and a Lee resizing die is very reasonable priced. Breaking ramrods is a pain.

I know a round ball cannot be resized but smaller molds are available. Resizing the conicals is a lot easier.

Resizing is what I would do anyway.

hombre243

Discussion Starter · #14 · Sep 11, 2014

3

New Wolf rifle and great results.

I finally made it out to the range. I saved these 2 targets. The Dirty Bird target is a Robin Hood. 2 bullets perfectly in one hole. I used a MMP Black 50 cal. Sabot and a 260 gr JHP. Powder charge was 80 grans of 2F 777.

For the Black and White Ringed target I used the same black 50 cal sabot. The bullet was my home grown 330 grain LHP from Lyman's 457122 mold. I powdered her butt with 100 grains of Pyrodex Select and she bellered and smoked and...well, you see the results. I believe either load will suffice for deer.

Have a looksee:

See less See more

Gumpy

· #15 · Sep 11, 2014

Good shootin, Mon! Any one shot would drop a deer with proper placement

greyhawk50

· #16 · Sep 11, 2014

Very nice shoot'n. Thanks for sharing. Looks like you got it dialed in.
Keep your powder dry. Hee - Hee

hombre243

Discussion Starter · #17 · Sep 12, 2014

greyhawk50 said:
Very nice shoot'n. Thanks for sharing. Looks like you got it dialed in.
Keep your powder dry. Hee - Hee

I am anxious now...more than ever. This rifle shoots a lot better than all my other inlines, and better than the Lyman GPR. BUT...I needed eye surgery then and didn't realize it. I just thought the guns were junk or I was just not gettin it...the modern inline bugaboos and such.

But now it is a different story. I may even try to resurrect the Kodiak .45. It is a 11.5 lb lug to carry but it is versatile and I have a lot invested in it. I bet it shoots better than I can shoot, even now since I got eye surgery.

We shall see.

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.