.45-70 bullets - What type would you buy?

The Cold Lake Kid

The Cold Lake Kid

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A research question for any .45-70 reloaders.

What cast lead .45-70 bullet weight and style would you buy if they were available commercially?
What quantity would you buy in a year?
Thanks
 
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I use mostly 400-420 grn. bullets. I cast my own so I won't buy any. Shipping is a problem for bullet buissness's in Canada, postal rates are much higher here because of no flat rate boxes I guess.
 
None, realy. I prefer shooting 300-350 grain jacketed at well over 2000fps.

If I were to restrict myself to mostly cast bullets, I suppose it'd be 400-is grain WFN-gas check bullets, cast as hard as necessary to perform decently at 2000-ish FPS without too much leading.

I go through around 300 a year
 
I would like something 300gr and also 425gr, sized .460" with a BHN of 21, gas checks, WLN with a meplate that you could butt out a cigar on yet still function in a 1895 Marlin. I'm not a high volume shooter I would likely only use a couple hundred a year.
 
I used to cast but it was never one of my favorite aspects of reloading. All my cast requirements I get from a couple of local guys that have a pretty good selection. For light loads I use a 405gr BB that works quite well and for hotter loads I get a 325gr GC & 420gr GC that work well for me in my 1895GS.
 
The hard cast WFN 480 gr bullets from MT Chambers is pretty hard to beat when maximum power is required from a .45/70. Pounder reports good accuracy and velocity in both his '95 Marlin and his .458 Brno.
 
I run my bullets at .462-.63 dia, they are much more accurate than at .458-9. I used to have a switch barreled Marlin in 45-70 and 450 Alaskan. I easily attained 2300 fps with the 400 grs in the Alaskan, recoil was FIERCE! I sold the switch barrel gun to a friend along with a spare Marlin barrel in 45-70. He had it rebored and rechambered to .50 Alaskan. He is currently having someone in BC make a 40-65 barrel for the same rifle. A 4 calibre Marlin 1895!

i can't stand shooting elephant gun loads in my 1895 anymore, the heaviest I load is 1800 fps with 400's and 1550 with my 500's. my most used loads barely make 1400 fps with 400 cast. They are extremely comfortable and accurate in my 1895 and my Trapdoor. I have shot over 200 in a day a few times in the mountains. shooting at various rocks and stumps at long range. I shoot so many I have to load them on my RCBS 2000 progressive press.
 
I get 405 grain FPs from The Bullet Barn and shoot them with a small charge of H4895 or 60 grains of Triple Seven. They do about 1350 fps and they are a nice easy shooting load, and the cloud of smoke makes things fun. Haven't tried with real BP yet because my access to it is spotty at best, but the synthetics I can get here in town.

I like their bullets a lot. Shot a few into blocks of wood (bored here on the farm) and they penetrate nice even at sedate speeds.
 
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