Shiloh Rifle Forums

Many years ago, I bought a supply of Oregon Trail Laser Cast bullets to try out. They are 500 grain, .459" in diameter and 1.27" in length, with 4 grease grooves. I don't know what lube they used. I tried them in my 45 x 2-7/8, (Shiloh), and my 45-70, (Ruger). I don't recall the loads, but trust they were not barn burners. At any rate, these darned things consistently key-holed at 50 yards. I kind of put them away.

Rummaging through my reloading supplies the other day, I came across them again. I'd really like to get them to work at least reasonably well. Any suggestions? Thanks.

I think your going to need to catch a few in oiled saw dust for examination.

Or diagonally into the deep end of a 10 foot deep swimming pool

As an aside, there is a reason most folks that shoot these old calibers cast or swage their own bullets.

Deputy Dave,
I presume these are plain based, no gas check?
Did you use Black Powder or smokeless.
Also, did you use a good wad under the bullets , for instance a LDPE wad or at least a felt wad?
beltfed/arnie

I had the same problem with 32 caliber (32-40) 165 grain laser cast bullets.
All other bullets worked great but those Laser Cast would key hole every time.
The Laser Cast bullets were sized .001 over groove diameter.
Never did figure out why they did that.

Had the same issue back in the day.
Stopped using them and I've been casting my own since then.
It's a known issue with that bullet maker.
Gary

Too short.

That makes sense as wad cutters are super accurate in pistol cartridges to 50 yards and are often key holing or tumbling by 75 yards.

I find the "too short" comment interesting only because these are 500 grain bullets. My Paul Jones 45 cal. hunting bullet is only 480 grains and they shoot fine they are not very long either. I suspect it has something to do with the alloy or how they are being loaded. Something else is not right here.I always have cast my own bullets. That way I only have to look in the mirror when there are quality control issues.

I'm guessing base or nose problems as the diameter seems correct for most .45 cal barrels and pretty much any alloy hardness should work to keep them end on at least.
Wad cutters go awry down range because they are blunt cylinders which of course is a frontal dynamic that causes them to loose stability.

Or that dreaded white powder.

Well,the base is what primarily steers the bullet ! if it's being compromised by gas blow by then that could cause the key hole thing. A recovered bullet would soon tell the tale me thinks.

If memory serves, Laser Cast bullets are made from a hard alloy and are designed for smokeless powder/higher velocity in order to seal properly. I think if you were to shoot those rounds at 1,700 fps they would stabilize just fine.
Dennis

Sounds like great material for fishing weights.

I remember the "too hard alloy" comments from the past and suspect that is the first problem with them. Buy better bullets from vendors that know what you want to do with them or better yet, spend the time learning to cast your own. We've all learned from our mistakes or those of our shooting friends. We're mostly friends who share knowledge and experience when asked.

Bryan

Activity has fallen off at our local range. I actually have the range to myself a lot of times that I could only get when it's raining. I think they are running out of shells and primers.
You might take those bullets and drill a 1/16" hole through them and thread a fishing line through that bullet, put a small 1/8" split shot under that bullet about 30" above the hook, put a blue gill on that hook and go catch some flat head or blue catfish.
Works good for me.