So, what are you casting for your 45-70?
- Thread starter yomomma
- Start date
fingers284
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Alberta Cowboy Ranges
I have cast 340 gr (vintage Win. Express bullet mold), 385 gr, 405 gr flat base, 405 bevel base, 405 HB, and 535 Lyman Postel.
I have shot these in a mixture of vintage & modern lever or SS rifles and all have worked to an "acceptable" hunting accuracy at 100 yrds.
However, the most accurate cast boolit I have ever used in any of my 45-70's is a .452 pistol bullet (250 gr RNFP)...don't sh!t yourself laughing yet because it does work, it requires one more step of powder coating up to a dia of .459 but damn they shoot accurate. The one gun that I have shot them most in was at best a 2" grouper with anything else but now will shoot clover leaf groups at 100 yrds and is a damn fine "gopher gun" out to that range. While I haven't crono'd that round yet I would have no qualms about using it as a deer round. I use the same charge in it as I use in my 405 gr rounds that chrono at 1200 fps or so. The second big difference is in the "felt recoil", compared to the 405's, it recoils maybe even less than my .223, you could easily shoot all day with this load.
You may need to get a "substantially" smaller mold if superb accuracy is your defining goal.
I have shot these in a mixture of vintage & modern lever or SS rifles and all have worked to an "acceptable" hunting accuracy at 100 yrds.
However, the most accurate cast boolit I have ever used in any of my 45-70's is a .452 pistol bullet (250 gr RNFP)...don't sh!t yourself laughing yet because it does work, it requires one more step of powder coating up to a dia of .459 but damn they shoot accurate. The one gun that I have shot them most in was at best a 2" grouper with anything else but now will shoot clover leaf groups at 100 yrds and is a damn fine "gopher gun" out to that range. While I haven't crono'd that round yet I would have no qualms about using it as a deer round. I use the same charge in it as I use in my 405 gr rounds that chrono at 1200 fps or so. The second big difference is in the "felt recoil", compared to the 405's, it recoils maybe even less than my .223, you could easily shoot all day with this load.
You may need to get a "substantially" smaller mold if superb accuracy is your defining goal.
Marlin GBL
1873shootist
Regular
I have a Lee 350 Grain RN mold and an ancient 500 grain RN government mold that is part of an Ideal tong tool that must be over a century old.
The old Ideal mold still casts excellent bullets.
The old Ideal mold still casts excellent bullets.
- Location
- NFA country
A modest 300 grain hollow point Winchester factory load (1880 fps, 2355 ft-lbs) has taken this years bull moose (1 down so far, 11 days left in season) in our extended family (son pulled the adult tag) who own 3 x 45-70s all told.
If you feel the need to shoot 'car batteries' from your 45-70s knock yourselves out.
Deer & moose aren't that hard to kill if you aim for the 'boiler room' (heart/lungs) and keep away from the shoulders.
If you feel the need to shoot 'car batteries' from your 45-70s knock yourselves out.
Deer & moose aren't that hard to kill if you aim for the 'boiler room' (heart/lungs) and keep away from the shoulders.
fingers284
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Alberta Cowboy Ranges
I observed a buddy doing a "penetration/hang together test between a 325 gr HTX and a 405 gr cast (hard cast commercial bought). Don't know the velocity of the 325 (factory Hornady), the 405 was at 1200 fps. He shot into a green poplar log endways to the grain. At 100 yrds the penetration was within an inch of each other (11-12"), the hornady bullet opened up beautifully, just as a jacketed should, didn't fragment at all. The cast bullet didn't mushroom much but it did bend a bit at the mid-shank area. The wound channel in the two logs was very similar, it was evident where the jacketed had mushroomed and where the cast had started to bend, the amount of wood disruption increased at both spots.
My point is that car batteries do work and you don't have to chuck them as hard.
My point is that car batteries do work and you don't have to chuck them as hard.
Browning highwall 1885 BPCR
for out to about 700 yds use Lee 500 gr
for long distance Brooks mold new postel design 555 gr , have not used beyond 1135 yds
Brooks uses 30:1, casting just over 700 deg F ( see his web site for info)
tin costs to much and I have lino so use 2# lino to 15 # lead, casts a little better if I also add 2 oz of tin
It will shoot less than a minute, but my problem is wind.
Our range only goes to 400 yds, so have to go to woods for long distance.
Fun to play with 5" by 8" gong at 400 yds (to see the steel it is mounted on a 12" X 12" white mud flat, so target the white)
for out to about 700 yds use Lee 500 gr
for long distance Brooks mold new postel design 555 gr , have not used beyond 1135 yds
Brooks uses 30:1, casting just over 700 deg F ( see his web site for info)
tin costs to much and I have lino so use 2# lino to 15 # lead, casts a little better if I also add 2 oz of tin
It will shoot less than a minute, but my problem is wind.
Our range only goes to 400 yds, so have to go to woods for long distance.
Fun to play with 5" by 8" gong at 400 yds (to see the steel it is mounted on a 12" X 12" white mud flat, so target the white)
- Location
- Thunder Bay, ON.
Hi Guys: I use a Ruger #1 45-70, but opted for the lighter version of bullet. I'm casting a RCBS 300 FN gas check ( about 315 grains) superbly accurate at 100 yards ( tight cloverleaf groups) using huge amounts of Reloder 7. I chrono'd the load at 2300 fps...yes, it's a sinus cleaner!! I did flatten a whitetail at 240 yards ( rangefinder distance) and there was complete penetration frontal traverse. I hit square in the center brisket ( facing me, slightly quartering) the exit was just ahead of the right hip.
For a different purpose, I did load Barnes 450 grain pointed H.P. to a chrono'd 2000 fps. I did drop a Cape buffalo with the one shot, facing me at 70 yards. The bullet I recovered was in the back of the paunch about 4 feet behind the center front chest entry hole.
In effect, I had made the 45-70 the equivalent of the turn of the century African Nitro express loadings....and it worked just as well. I'm sure a 500 grain cast would have done the same. There is a lot to be said for the 45-70....been happy with mine for over 40 years. Good shooting to all.....
For a different purpose, I did load Barnes 450 grain pointed H.P. to a chrono'd 2000 fps. I did drop a Cape buffalo with the one shot, facing me at 70 yards. The bullet I recovered was in the back of the paunch about 4 feet behind the center front chest entry hole.
In effect, I had made the 45-70 the equivalent of the turn of the century African Nitro express loadings....and it worked just as well. I'm sure a 500 grain cast would have done the same. There is a lot to be said for the 45-70....been happy with mine for over 40 years. Good shooting to all.....
I won a Browning Hi Wall Mod.78 at an auction 3 weeks ago.
The rifle is brand new in the box, but was manufactured in 1977.
Took it to the range last Saturday, and it was spot on with 290grs cast (left overs from my Winchester 1876 in 45-60), over 33grs IMR4198.
This is probably a very poor hunting load, but it is very accurate at the 100 meter gong.
The rifle is brand new in the box, but was manufactured in 1977.
Took it to the range last Saturday, and it was spot on with 290grs cast (left overs from my Winchester 1876 in 45-60), over 33grs IMR4198.
This is probably a very poor hunting load, but it is very accurate at the 100 meter gong.
Yommoma I am curious how your Lee 340 gr mold worked out for you? Or should I get the 405 gr instead? I don’t really want to go any heavier.
I just purchased a Marlin 1895G 45-70 off the EE and should have it in my hands next week. So now I am on the hunt for brass, boolits and dies. It’s primary use will be at the range shooting papers, cans and gongs. So much like my Marlin 357 and 44 mag I plan on casting for it and powder coating.
Is your Lee 340 gr mold accurate? Are you shooting as cast or do you size? What diameter does it drop them? They advertise as 457 and am curious if that is too small of a diameter?
I did find some Hornady brass for it at the range but my homework tells me that the brass is too short and some dies will not work with Hornady brass.
Any information welcome. Thanks for your time.
I just purchased a Marlin 1895G 45-70 off the EE and should have it in my hands next week. So now I am on the hunt for brass, boolits and dies. It’s primary use will be at the range shooting papers, cans and gongs. So much like my Marlin 357 and 44 mag I plan on casting for it and powder coating.
Is your Lee 340 gr mold accurate? Are you shooting as cast or do you size? What diameter does it drop them? They advertise as 457 and am curious if that is too small of a diameter?
I did find some Hornady brass for it at the range but my homework tells me that the brass is too short and some dies will not work with Hornady brass.
Any information welcome. Thanks for your time.
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I picked up my brass for Budget Shooter Supply
https://www.budgetshootersupply.ca/product/starline-brass-45-70-govt-unprimed-per-100bag/
https://www.budgetshootersupply.ca/product/starline-brass-45-70-govt-unprimed-per-100bag/
Hey. Have not shot them yet. They cast .457 but I powder coat and size to .459
I bought the .459 sizing die from TrackOfThe wòlf
Also just bought a 405 grain NOE mold with hollow point inserts.
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Thanks for the heads up on the brass. That’s a good price. Henry only has the Lee 405 gr mold in stock.
Yo if you do get out and try those bullets let me know what you think. Hopefully you are a bit warmer than we have been here. I’ll likley just try the 340 as well.
Yo if you do get out and try those bullets let me know what you think. Hopefully you are a bit warmer than we have been here. I’ll likley just try the 340 as well.
How have you found the 340 grain? I'm looking for something to use in the Marlin 1895CB my brother just gave me for plinking and maybe as a light load for small game while deer hunting. I am also looking for a 400+ grain mold with a nice wide meplat (.38-.40 cal minimum) and maybe a gas check as a big game bullet. I'm not really satisfied with the way the meplat on the Lee 400+ grain molds look, that said I've not handle the actual molds yet, and I don't think the 405gr Hollow Base Round Nose is suitable for my needs.
Thoughts?
Other mold suggestions?
Thanks much!
