Bullets for .577/450

Most folks slug the bores of their 577-450 Martini rifles if they're going to use bullets with solid bases or with gas checks.

I find that a cast bullet with a hollow base, filled with "Bondo" does the job very well.

Others run their purchased cast bullets through a "sizer" die of appropriate diameter for the bores of their particular rifle.

Finding a commercial caster with a mold appropriate for you particular rifle will not be easy.

The Brits went with "hollow base" cast bullets for a reason. The bores on their rifles were pretty close to their specs but could vary a lot as you likely know.
 
If you are up to casting your own bullets, contact Martyn at X-ring services in Seattle. You can find him on Facebook. I’ll PM you his email address. He offers a range of moulds for the Martini-Henry.
 
No need but thank you, I've dealt with Martyn several times -- fine gentleman. Casting bullets is a rabbit hole I don't want to go down at this point.

bearhunter said:
Others run their purchased cast bullets through a "sizer" die of appropriate diameter for the bores of their particular rifle.
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That was my first inclination as well but I haven't had much luck finding an off-the-shelf sizer unless I wanted to take these .471" down to .460". I suppose I could go down that route if I paper patched the bullets afterwards.

I've shot the .471" bullets out of my MH without issue -- I'm more concerned about the brass. Bullets of that width do strain the necks of brass to the point that it looks like one of those rather fat women who insist on wearing very tight and small clothes.
 
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GunsNotPuns said:
No need but thank you, I've dealt with Martyn several times -- fine gentleman. Casting bullets is a rabbit hole I don't want to go down at this point.



That was my first inclination as well but I haven't had much luck finding an off-the-shelf sizer unless I wanted to take these .471" down to .460". I suppose I could go down that route if I paper patched the bullets afterwards.

I've shot the .471" bullets out of my MH without issue -- I'm more concerned about the brass. Bullets of that width do strain the necks of brass to the point that it looks like one of those rather fat women who insist on wearing very tight and small clothes.
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OK, I see where you're coming from.

Likely the same folks at Martyn can supply you with a proper sizer.

I've had several Marini rifles chambered for the 577/450 and even an old custom made side by side rifle made in England by one of the old cottage industry shops. Plain rifle but very functional.

At first, I went the same route as you are on and used solid base bullets, then paper patch. Each rifle was different. So finally, I settled on a duplex load of HS6 under FFG black powder and 450 grain, hollow base bullets, with the hollow base filled with Bondo to help with expansion. Worked quite well in all of the rifles I had at the time and I didn't have to worry about keeping a bunch of different diameter bullets on hand or a bunch of different molds.

I really don't like the sizing process which sometimes incorporates lubing.

I like to set the bullets on their butts in a pan of melted beeswax.

Paper patching was actually the most accurate on target but it's also a pain.
 
I've gone down the lazy road...

I use a cast 405grn gas checked bullet designed for 45-70. They work adequately for the shooting I do.

I also use smokeless (IMR 4227) and filler (toilet paper) for my loads
 
woodchopper said:
I've gone down the lazy road...

I use a cast 405grn gas checked bullet designed for 45-70. They work adequately for the shooting I do.

I also use smokeless (IMR 4227) and filler (toilet paper) for my loads
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I'm lazy as well...IMR 4198, cotton balls and lubed cast bullets. Worked fine enough.

But you've peaked my interest because I've considered those 45-70 bullets. I assume you're using the ones that are .459"?
 
GunsNotPuns said:
I'm lazy as well...IMR 4198, cotton balls and lubed cast bullets. Worked fine enough.

But you've peaked my interest because I've considered those 45-70 bullets. I assume you're using the ones that are .459"?
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yup those ones, 38grns IMR4227, magnum primers, and 2 sheets of John Wayne TP to keep it all against the base. Averaging +1600FPS
 
woodchopper said:
I've gone down the lazy road...

I use a cast 405grn gas checked bullet designed for 45-70. They work adequately for the shooting I do.

I also use smokeless (IMR 4227) and filler (toilet paper) for my loads
Click to expand...

That works well but it doesn't win matches.

I've done the same when I ran out of hollow base bullets.
 
When I loaded for the Martini-Henry and the Belgian Albini, I used the Lee 90241 which is designed for the 475 Linebaugh.
90241-01.jpg


Mine drops bullets at 0.473" and 388 grs from wheelweight, although from pure lead it would be closer to 400 grs. I used Lee Custom Sizers in 0.468" and 0.464" and they both left enough just lube groove.
 
You can buy the 405gr .459 and paper patch up this is what I do works well as I don't resize My brass as it's just a range toy. As well if you can find hollow base bullets add a wood base plug. Back in the 58 mini days this was done and when firing it will bump up a 58 cal up 27thou. Both work great paper patch is a little fiddly, make sure you get paper in the 7, 8 or 9# range, they can be rolled wet or dry. As well rap the paper with the rifling as it seems backward to me as I'm right handed. all british rifling is backwards in my mind. The wooden base plugs are really easy to make if you have a lathe but can be done in a drill press easily too, just match the taper of the hollow base and have the wood go to half the depth of the cavity and flush with the skirt. I personally really love the base plugs for front stuffers, as they are deadly accurate and when fouling gets bad loading is still really easy.
 
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