So, what are you casting for your 45-70?
- Thread starter yomomma
- Start date
daddylonglegs
CGN Regular
- Location
- Big River, Saskatchewan
540 gr. gascheck mould from Redding for use in my Enfield 45-70 bolt gun
After the Sandy Hook tests of 1879, a new variation of the .45-70 cartridge was produced: the .45-70-500, which fired a heavier, 500 grain, (32.5 g) bullet. The heavier bullet produced significantly superior ballistics, and could reach ranges of 3,350 yards (3,120 m), which were beyond the maximum range of the .45-70-405. While the effective range of the .45-70 on individual targets was limited to about 1,000 yards (915 m) with either load, the heavier bullet would produce lethal injuries at 3,500 yards (3,200 m). At those ranges, the bullets struck point-first at a roughly 30 degree angle, penetrating three 1-inch (2.5 cm) thick oak boards, and then traveling to a depth of 8 inches (20 cm) into the sand of the Sandy Hook beach. It was hoped the longer range of the .45-70-500 would allow effective volley fire at ranges beyond those normally expected of infantry fire.
This is the 500 grainer I use to shoot out of my trap door back in the day. Minute of White Tail at 200 yds.
M
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405gr Lee as well. Both the hollow base and standard. I lapped my mold to .462 and size to .460 for my guide gun. I mix wheel weights-range scrap-tin. A load of unique for plinking up to 1100fps or 4198 for anything from 1400-1600 fps.
I use the 405 Lee molds because they’re cheap and what was available at the time. The 405 was plenary accurate so I never bothered trying anything else. 300-350gr might be nice to cut down on lead though.
I use the 405 Lee molds because they’re cheap and what was available at the time. The 405 was plenary accurate so I never bothered trying anything else. 300-350gr might be nice to cut down on lead though.
So you are using the heavier bullets because you are shooting people at 3500 yards?
You don't need to go 3500 yds to see the ballistic benefits.
The 405 gr is the traditional weight but it really doesn't matter for most of us 100 yd paper plinkers. It will matter more for long range shooting and hunting.
At 45-70 velocities, ballistic coefficient starts to become very important somewhere under 200 yds and an important consideration for longer range target shooting and hunting. Heavier bullets also penetrate better than lighter bullets when hunting, everything else being equal.
Bullets that weight less than about 350 gr have little or no ballistic advantage over a heavier bullet even though you can start them out at a higher velocity. Short fat bullets have poor ballistic coefficients.
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I have Accurate 500 gr WFN and NOE 535 gr Postell molds also but they are more speciqalised - 500WFN is for hard whacking at very close range, and the 535 Postell is for LRBP plinking. I don't use either one much. The 425 and the 350 gr are good all-rounders.
