Original bullet for the .45-75

[w44wcf]

Back in the late 1800's, Ideal Mfg'g. Co. (now Lyman) produced a bullet mold for the .45-75 Winchester.  It was a copy of the original bullet and was identified by the mold number 456192.  Lyman continued to produce this mold calling it the 457192 up until the mid 1970's, when it was discontinued.

The 457192 is intended to be used with black powder (or a sub) which supports the base of the bullet since the  crimp is positioned over the front driving band.  If used with smokeless, the bullet may be pushed into the case while in the magazine....not a good thing.



Because of the renewed interest in the .45-75, Lou Sellman, who is a Lyman distributor, contacted Lyman to see if they would make another run of the 457192  mold.  Lyman agreed if he placed an order for a minimum of 25 molds.

So far, 30 molds are spoken for.  Because of the initial response,  Lou ordered 45 molds which he expects to receive by no later than mid January.  

If you would be interested in a single cavity Lyman 457192 mold, please email Lou Sellman at
customcastbullets@yahoo.com
with your address so that he can let you know what the shipping charges will be.  Please add that to the price of the mold
($65.00) and send your  check made out to:
Custom Cast Bullets
2003 Ewingsmill Rd.
Coraopolis, PA 15108
phone: (412) 299-0412

Lou has a store on ebay with over 1,100 items. He does not want to run this
buy through the ebay store because of the additional expense involved.  If
you want to have a look, the address is:
http://stores.ebay.com/reloadersequipment

w44wcf
      
 

[Hobie]

I'm one of the 30 and sent Lou my check last week.  Thanks for all the hard work John!

[john boy]

Yes Folks - A Whole Lot of Thanks is Owing to John Kort and Lou Sellman that made this bullet possible, including all the time John spent compiling the commitment names for Lou, and their many telephone calls and emails back and forth together and the threads John put up on the various Forums.

  Let me give a little background how it all came into being:

• Ideal Handbook, 1949 - page 88 is the the 456192 bullet with only the words, "45-75 Winchester bullet"
• I called Mr Herrick, Lyman Director of Marketing requesting that there is a market for this bullet since Lyman also dusted off the cherry for the Ideal 40-60 mold.  He told me that many cherries were 'left' in the plant when Lyman moved in 1977 and it wouldn't be possible.  I didn't believe him.  I also wanted Lyman to re-introduce the Ideal 375166 bullet for the 38-55 which has the closest ballistics calculation using BP for a barrel of 1:18 twist
• Not giving up, I kept bugging Lyman and was told, 'if a 1000 telephone calls were received for the 457192, Lyman would consider re-introduction'
• John and I was discussing this whole Lyman episode at Ridgeway Rifle Club (we get together a couple of times each year there) while I was banging away with my '76.  He said, "Let me see what I can do.  I have a friend who is a Lyman Distributor!"

And the Wheels of Progress were put in motion to Lou Sellman (date line - October 2007)

• Lou called Lyman management, they agreed and were to use the 457122 cherry, then Lou got a call they were going to produce the mold using the Ideal 457192 cherry which is the Ideal 456192 cherry ... and the rest is History: (date line December 2008)

So, Lights On -Center Stage John and Take a Big Bow From All of Us!  Thank You! 

[CarverTripp]

I quess it pays to have friends in high places. Many thanks to those who worked hard on this. My check was sent last week, really looking forward to casting some up!
Carver

I ain't no Tom Horn, but I love my 76

[Grizzly Adams]

This is one you want boys!  Copy of the original, and in my experience, this bullet works very well in these rifles.

John, your work in getting this mold back is appreciated.

[w44wcf]

Guys,
Thank you for the kind words. I always like to see the original bullet designs being used in the cartridges they were intended for.

w44wcf 

[Buck Stinson]

These photos show a few molds from my collection and the bullets they cast.  The brass mold on the left is Winchesters 3rd model with the .45-75 WCF marking.  The bullet from this one weighs 353 grains.  The iron mold on the right is Winchesters 4th model which is marked only 45-75.  This bullet weighs 355 grains.  I use this mold when casting for any of my original .45-75's.  The other photo is an original and very rare Winchester 2nd model brass mold.  In the following post, I have included a couple more photos of this mold and a description.  I hope you enjoy these pics.

Adios,
Buck

[Buck Stinson]

Here are two more pics of the Winchester 2nd model mold.  These are made of brass with a single wooden handle.  The mold cavity does not have a hinge and casts a smooth sided bullet without grease grooves.  Although they have thse same appearance as a paper patch bullet, whey were not used with any patch material.  Only the .45-75 WCF caliber marking appears on this mold.  The bullet weight is 359 grains.  The bullets in this photo and the ones previous, were cast with 16/1 alloy.  This was the original Winchester recommendation for this caliber when casting and reloading your own ammo.

Adios,
Buck

[w44wcf]

Buck,
Thank you for the neat pics!  Those are truly some Winchester "Treasures" that you have!

I wonder about the smooth bullet(?). Must have been intended for a grease cookie(?).

w44wcf

[Grizzly Adams]

I agree, great to see those molds.  Thanks for posting the pics!

The 2nd model with the smooth sided bullet is really an interesting item.  Gotta wonder about how it was loaded and why it was made smooth sided.  Any idea?