Got my Pritchet mold from Noe Bullet Molds!

[Maillemaker]

I got my Pritchet mold from Noe Bullet Molds. It's my first mold from them. I am impressed. It has captive core pins, but they have made a unique way to to it such that you can have a two-cavity mold for a hollow-base bullet. I'm trying to get them to make a Hodgdon style bullet this way.

The mold looks very nice. Excellent machining, including set screw to lock the sprue plate screw. Came with two sets of plugs to make a heavier and lighter bullet.

I'm going to use these to make paper-patched Enfield style cartridges such as the ones manufactured by the British and adopted by the Confederacy.

Steve

[Smosin]

Good to hear your news--my Pritchett mould should be here today from NOE, looking forward to casting this weekend.

[gmkmd]

Quick question; are the Pritchet bullets used without any lube? Or do you load them with a lubed patch?

[Confederate]

Gmkmd. If I recall correctly, when the Enfield cartridges were made, they rolled the round and then dunked the bullet (while inside the cartridge) into the lube, with the intention of the paper patching.

[Smosin]

Quick question; are the Pritchet bullets used without any lube? Or do you load them with a lubed patch?

Rolled into paper cartridges, dipped in lube afterwards, loaded with the lubed paper acting as a "patch"--presenting with a bullet similar in many respects to the paper patched black powder cartridge rifle bullets of the later plains buffalo hunting era. Some shooters simply paper patch the bullet; others, myself included, construct the entire cartridge, which, once you have the simple tools and correct paper, is very quick to make, and even quicker to load and shoot~!


http://milpas.cc/rifles/ZFiles/Briti...artridges.html

[Lou Lou Lou]

Just not legal for N-SSA, right?

[Maillemaker]

Correct. At this time, paper-patched Enfield-style cartridges are not allowed in N-SSA competition.

I have also picked up the later-period .550" diameter Pritchet mold. So I can now create early and late-style Enfield cartridges.

I discovered in casting these that you pretty much have to ladle cast them to avoid getting voids. I'm using an RCBS ladle which allows you to start the pour with the mold horizontal and them slowly turn it to vertical. By doing this it seems to avoid voids. At least, the hollow base cavity is pristine.

I have made a web page that details the construction techniques for US Expanding Ball cartridges and British Enfield cartridges here:

http://4thla.weebly.com/paper-cartid...formation.html

Steve

[hwaugh]

I received my Pritchet mould today and found it to be an outstanding piece of excellent workmanship. Along with the mould I ordered the base plug mould and plan to shoot the bullet with a baseplug in the bullet cavity. I am wordering what the best material to use to make the base plug. I was told Bondo works well, but does anyone have experience with making base plugs and what material do you use? Thanks in advance. To save postings...I am not planning to use these in competition just on a private range.

Harry Waugh - 3731V - Terry's Texas Rangers

[BADSHOT]

Bondo may burn quickly?

[Maillemaker]

I have heard Bondo and Miliput.

I am not having much luck making cartridges using the .566 bullets. I am even using thin masking paper .002 thick and the resultant bullet is measuring .578-.580 but won't go into my Pedersoli guns that normally use .578 bullets. Guess I need to get one of Lodgewood's push-through sizing dies to use with my Lee press.

I also got the .550 Pritchet which should be easier.

Steve