Bullet recommendation for Pietta Smith Carbine

**CAGerringer** · 01-09-2022

Originally Posted by Maillemaker

Is this the REAL bullet or something else?<br>
<br>
Steve

<br>

Wasn't the REAL bullet a flat topped slug that was "rifling engraved as loading" for muzzleloaders? It's not like that. The Lee was advertised as a Smith bullet, Steve, although it doesn't look like an original. I still have the original box, and just looked at it. It doesn't have a title for the bullet. It's just listed as a .515, 6 cavity, Lee mold!
This is a short, conical shaped shaped slug, with a flat nose, and 3 grooves at the lower portion of the bullet that hold plenty of lube. It fits the black plastic cartridges perfectly. All 3 grooves are inside the cartridge and the rear of the conical shaped body of the bullet just contacts the rifling as the cartridge is loaded. That is with 32 grains of 3F and a pinch of COW inside.
Hope that made sense.
Respectfully,
Charlie Gerringer
Old Dominion Dragoons

**CAGerringer** · 01-09-2022

To be clear, my Lee 6 gang mold is not like SFoster's. His sounds more like the original, where mine is definitely not.
Charlie Gerringer
Old Dominion Dragoons

**Maillemaker** · 01-09-2022

Thanks Charlie! I'd like to find one of those 6-gang molds to try out! I wonder if Lee still makes them?

I found this one as a 2-cavity:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1010205686?pid=434163

I think this is the same bullet in 6-cavity:
https://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categ...LEE-515-450-6C

Lodgewood has this one:
https://www.lodgewood.com/515-Six-Ca...ain_p_550.html

Steve

**Eggman** · 01-10-2022

To be clear, the REAL bullet shown in post #2 was designed for muzzle loaders --BUT-- it fits perfectly in those black plastic cases for the Pietta Smith with just the nose sticking out - which sticks out because it is the only part of the bullet @ .515 diameter which nicely engages the rifling FROM THE REAR, the rest of the bullet perfectly fitting the bore diameter.

**sfoster** · 01-12-2022

This is my Lee six cavity mold. I bought it a few years ago, either from Lodgewood, or Track of the Wolf. Looking at their current mold, it is different. More like the old Lyman 515139. As soon as I saw it, I ordered one. It will be interesting to compare them at the range. The Lee gang mold sure makes a lot of bullets quick.

**PapaRob** · 01-12-2022

I use the 6 gang mold from lodgewood and it cranks them out and is a very accurate bullet out of my Pietta Smith. I will only mold once a year and I can make upwards of a couple of thousand in no time.

**CAGerringer** · 01-12-2022

Steve,
The 360 grain, .515 that Lodgewood has; and you have shown a link to, is the one that I have. I stumbled upon it and have been happily surprised by just how well it works in the Pietta replica Smith.
Respectfully,
Charlie Gerringer
Old Dominion Dragoons