missoiula4me
Full Member
I found two bullets; possible drops based on condition. Each was found near an area of historical significance for the state of Montana.
#1 was found on the backside of some mountains that would have led to the Battle of the Big Hole. The US Army had pursued Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce tribe. The area I was in could have been an approximate path and even staging area before the attack. The measurements were odd. It's a 3-ring bullet with what I'd describe as shoulders. (Note: I've seen some contemporary bullets called wad cutters but the size is different.) The measurements are approximate with the width at the base being 10.65mm X 19.9mm high and weighs approximately 15 grams. It is undamaged so I don't believe it was fired.
#2 was found near the ghost town of Bannack Montana. Metal detecting is not allowed on this national monument. While researching the upper boundaries, I found a place called Road Agent Rock which is located on public land. Near that site I found several old diggings and above one of those sites, I found the second bullet. It is a single-ring round nosed bullet. It also appear fairly undamaged so I suspect it was dropped. Again the measurements are approximate. It has a approximate width at the base of 11.35mm X 17.1mm high and also weighs approximately 15 grams.
Idea searched them and found two possible matches but Minot sure so I'm looking for expert in-put. I'll include those descriptions for reference. I'm interested if they are period bullets or contemporary.
On a side note I was able the area of Road Agent Rock (which looks exactly like what you'd see in a B-rated western in am ambush hold-up) and found 25-30 expended casings. They were 7.62x39 and appeared to have been there quite awhile. I'm not sure what they were shooting at but the casings were all clustered together. Ironically, when I googled the 11.56 mm bullets, the first return described the 7.62x39. The projectile is completely different but it was a weird coincidence.
Thanks for the help.
#1 was found on the backside of some mountains that would have led to the Battle of the Big Hole. The US Army had pursued Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce tribe. The area I was in could have been an approximate path and even staging area before the attack. The measurements were odd. It's a 3-ring bullet with what I'd describe as shoulders. (Note: I've seen some contemporary bullets called wad cutters but the size is different.) The measurements are approximate with the width at the base being 10.65mm X 19.9mm high and weighs approximately 15 grams. It is undamaged so I don't believe it was fired.
#2 was found near the ghost town of Bannack Montana. Metal detecting is not allowed on this national monument. While researching the upper boundaries, I found a place called Road Agent Rock which is located on public land. Near that site I found several old diggings and above one of those sites, I found the second bullet. It is a single-ring round nosed bullet. It also appear fairly undamaged so I suspect it was dropped. Again the measurements are approximate. It has a approximate width at the base of 11.35mm X 17.1mm high and also weighs approximately 15 grams.
Idea searched them and found two possible matches but Minot sure so I'm looking for expert in-put. I'll include those descriptions for reference. I'm interested if they are period bullets or contemporary.
On a side note I was able the area of Road Agent Rock (which looks exactly like what you'd see in a B-rated western in am ambush hold-up) and found 25-30 expended casings. They were 7.62x39 and appeared to have been there quite awhile. I'm not sure what they were shooting at but the casings were all clustered together. Ironically, when I googled the 11.56 mm bullets, the first return described the 7.62x39. The projectile is completely different but it was a weird coincidence.
Thanks for the help.
