Lee Mold .452-255 in a Pietta 1860 Army?

[DavidB1757]

Will a .452-255 conical work in my Pietta Army? I know this is a huge bullet and may not seat fully in the cylinder, but I haven't tried it yet to know. The only reason I'm asking is because I won't pay 100$ for a Lee round ball mold in .454, and I already have this .452-255 mold for my .45. I did find a couple of threads on another forum where people have used this as a hunting load in an 1860 but I'm not sure it was in a Pietta. Obviously, if this does work I'm not going to be shooting this load much as I do prefer round balls. I just want something to work in it until I can get a .454 mold (which I don't expect to happen anytime soon). Thanks

 

[SmokepoleSam]

thegunworks.com in Oregon has Lee .454 round ball molds in stock according to their web site, I just checked $30 + shipping

 

[Grenadier1758]

@DavidB1757, your pistol can provide the best answer to your question. You do need a digital caliper that can measure to 0.001". The Harbor Freight $20 digital caliper is acceptable for these measurements. Measure the chamber mouth. Measure the diameter of your 452-255 conical. Measure the length. You are looking for a diameter of your bullet at the base that is smaller than the chamber mouth so it can enter the chamber and has a length that allows for your powder charge.

An acceptably accurate digital caliper can be so helpful when trying to work out compatibility issues in this hobby.

 

[rodwha]

I’ve read of fellows resizing the bases of modern .45 caliber bullets to easily slip in the chambers.

 

[DavidB1757]

Thank you for the replies! I could swear I visited the gunworks.com yesterday and they were 78.00$ maybe it was a website that looks the same. Anyway, I ordered the round ball mold. I didn't want to shoot conicals, but that is good information to have although I have mechanical calipers and not digital. Thanks again

 

[Grenadier1758]

Mechanical calipers are good enough. Some of us have difficulties reading the graduated lines on a mechanical Vernier Caliper. My Mituyoyo Vernier caliper and my Harbor Freight caliper read within acceptable tolerances.

 

[nkbj]

Lyman #452389 looks mighty attractive for sizing .446".

 

[bang]

thegunworks.com in Oregon has Lee .454 round ball molds in stock according to their web site, I just checked $30 + shipping

Thanks a heap. They had lee .530 and lee .540 mini also.

 

[Lipps1948]

Will a .452-255 conical work in my Pietta Army? I know this is a huge bullet and may not seat fully in the cylinder, but I haven't tried it yet to know. The only reason I'm asking is because I won't pay 100$ for a Lee round ball mold in .454, and I already have this .452-255 mold for my .45. I did find a couple of threads on another forum where people have used this as a hunting load in an 1860 but I'm not sure it was in a Pietta. Obviously, if this does work I'm not going to be shooting this load much as I do prefer round balls. I just want something to work in it until I can get a .454 mold (which I don't expect to happen anytime soon). Thanks

if you keep checking totw they get the .454 in occasionally. I just bought one from them 30 bucks.