Hello again, I am fairly new at casting bullets so please excuse my ignorance if I ask silly questions. So here goes the first one which bullet will shoot better the bevel base or flat base bullet? The only mold I was able to get was a RBSC 201 gr swc flat base for my .45acp I understand Lee and Saeco make the same in a bevel base. Is the bevel base made for ease of reloading or does it serve a purpose in the overall performace of the bullet?

I don't know for sure but it seems to me the only purpose for the bevel base is ease of seating the bullet. The last two molds I bought were flat plain base Keith type molds for .357 and 44mag and I like them just fine.

Bill

I have shot both plain and bevel base handgun bullets for years and still cannot tell the difference as to which one is the more accurate. Possibly testing on a Ransom pistol rest would give me the answer. If you shoot from a standing position as I do, your wobble as you hold the gun outstretched will induce more error into your group than either bullet can. Unless you are a leading national level competitor, either bullet will shoot just as well so you are off to a good start with your mold. The bevel base is a little easier to seat into the case as the bevel helps the bullet tip into alignment with the seater plug. In other words, it is more "forgiving" if the bullet is placed a little crooked on the casemouth before seating. Hope this helps.

Do remember some .38 WC tests of flat based/hollow based/bevel based bullets..if there was any difference gun-to-gun variations cover it up. Some guns will shoot better with one type or another, but it's a very small amount.

One argument I've heard is that a dead flat base will exit a muzzle with little "fins" or bumps from the lands and that could make them more sensitive to irregualities in the barrel crown...but no testing I've read has ever prooved or dispooved the idea. Know I use flat based (non-gas check) rifle bullets by preference and have never had complaints.

Do have to take case not to nick or dent the nice flat square edged base during handling and loading. Seems the main reasons for beveld bases is (1) rounded edges fall more easily from teh mold that sharp corners..which is why Keith's original designs got modified.. and (2) makes it easier to load on progressive machines.

I have second what Marshal said, I have the same weight & style bullets in .452" one BB and one FB, can't tell the difference even when used in a .45LC rifle.

BB are easier to load and I tend to prefer them myself based on this fact alone, less flare needed on the case mouth which means less mechanical stress on the brass.

Not sure on the RCBS mold but I have the 200gr Lyman SWC and my acp loves these but the LC does not. I load mine (cast w/ strait WW) on the light side, can't recall the exact load off hand but just enough to give reliable function in my 1911. Good accuracy, low recoil & muzzle jump, have not seen a lead problem after shooting 200 rounds at a time.

As luck would have it at our local Gun Show this weekend I picked up a LEE mold 200gr swc and it has a bevel base. I will do some castings and post a report on the two molds.

Sambru,
For target loads(i.e. low pressure) flat or bevel base will work fine. As mentioned, bevel base are easier to load and easier to cast, as the fall more freely from the mold.
However, for heavy, high pressure loads, flat base is the way to go, with gas checked even better. Flat base bullets will seal the bore better with base obturation. Bevel base are prone to gas cutting, also known as gas blowby, which is detrimental to accuracy, and leads to barrel leading.
Flat base bullets are a little more difficult to cast, as they do hang up in the mold, but I think are well worth it, if you enjoy the hotter loads.
Lastly, no such thing as a silly question. I learned a saying in school which I truely believe in. "He who asks a question is a fool for 5 minutes, He who does not is a fool forever." Hope this helps. Keep casting away, my friend.
Jeff

Thank you Jeff, and everyone else that responded to my query, I now have a pretty good understanding of the two styles of bullets. This is my favorite forum I know I will be spending a lot of time here

As promised a report on the two molds,bevel base Lee 200 gr swc and flat base RCBS 201 gr swc. I found the Lee mold to be more accurate at 15 yds(all testing was done at 15 yds) With the Lee I could pretty well put them in the same hole, however with the RCBS I could not get any group smaller than 1.5 inch. I don't think the "base" had anything to do with it I think it's the design of the bullet the Lee bullet is a lot more pointed than the RCBS one. Both bullets were load with the following: 5.4 grs WW231 WW brass and Fed 150 primers.

You may have to "tweek" the powder charge with the RCBS bullet to get it to shoot tighter groups. You should not expect two different bullets, even though they may be the same weight and shape, to react the same using the same powder charge. The Lee bullet seems to like its load. I generally test my bullets at 25 yards. 15 yards is too close and everything shoots one hole groups. Finally, it is a good idea to let cast bullets harden before shooting them. You can let them age harden (takes about one week for low velocity bullets to three weeks for magnums) or quench them in a bucket of water for immediate use. Each gun and bullet work as a team requiring different loads to obtain maximum performance results. That's why reloaded ammo often outshoots factory.