Ben's boolit data? What's everyone using?

[EvilDezel]

Just curious what everyone is using for the 45-70. I have a few of his 420 480 and 500 grain offerings.

Do cast boolits have to be crimped more then jacketed? I have the Lee FCD and crimp the Hornady 350's I load already for it.

I haven't reloaded much cast for rifles in my 2 years of reloading so any help and advice would be appreciated.

Thanks again

 

[Logan_Lamothe]

Ben's 420 grain "Hammers" - 44 grains of IMR4198 gives 1850 fps out of my guide gun. Kicks like a mule though.

 

[delta1]

I shoot Ben's 555 grn over a full 70 grns of Goex FFG. Has a bit of a heavy push but is an accurate round. Going to give it a try next in a 45/70 Martini I just recieved. Once i get over the flu I now have.
regards

 

[Johnn Peterson]

The following is a quick scan of the variety of 45-70 cast bullets that I get from a friend locally and use. Pardon the clarity of the picture.

To start with, when I was shooting only my Marlin 1895 GS, two of the bullets that worked best in light loads wre the 405gr and 420gr.

For the most part now, I use the Marlin for top end jacketed loads

and primarily my cast bullet loads, especially the lighter loads, are kept for use in a Pedersoli Sharps

Much of the load info is data I've obtained from a number of Cast Bullet books plus a number of magazine publications.

 

[EvilDezel]

Nice groups Johnn, thanks for all the help so far.

Johnn, how much crimp do you use for the 1895?

 

[Pathfinder]

I dont' crimp, but then again I load a bolt action. The 500 gr. will loosen some fillings....I push them with enough 3031..I think I will download from here.

 

[ben hunchak]

I've used up to 51 grs. of RL-7 for all those bullets and up to 54 grs. of AA2015 with W-W cases, I know, I know, these are hotter then what the manuals show but are about equal in pressure to the smaller .450 Marlin, in the same '95 action. It produces 1900fps for the 500 grain and lots of recoil....Both these powders are good for reduced loads and 41 grs. of either powder takes you down to "trapdoor loads".

 

[Johnn Peterson]

Nice groups Johnn, thanks for all the help so far.

Johnn, how much crimp do you use for the 1895?

Much the same amount of crimp as I use on some of the 'warmer' cast bullet ammo, especially for some of the bigger bore handguns. A good solid roll crimp.

 

[hk33ka1]

I use Lyman 49th or Lyman 4th Ed Cast handbooks for lead data most of the time.

I shoot single shots but I find lead boolits easier to roll crimp than jacketed. If I had to crimp for my .45-70 I'd just line the crimp groove on the boolit up with the case mouth and adjust the seating die accordingly to crimp. If I noticed setback after trying a few in the magazine (loading/recoil under firing) I'd crimp more. Likely won't need much.

 

[ben hunchak]

For serious work, I'd give them a good crimp in the crimp groove provided unless that gives OAL. problems. Once you get crimping these loaded rounds, you'll find that they crimp much better then jacketed as the crimp groove is more receptive to crimping then the cannelure on jacketed bullets.

 

[leverboy]

x2. Most cast boolit designs have a nice deep groove to crimp into, and this way you can get a solid crimp without inadvertantly sizing the bullet down.

 

[nada]

HELP where do i get BENS BULLETS or @ least where do i go to ask, i've been looking & can't catch any info. mind you i'm old enough to have rotary dail, & this internet thing is a little beyond me.

 

[thebaron]

It produces 1900fps for the 500 grain

That can't be pleasant to shoot.

 

[Pathfinder]

HELP where do i get BENS BULLETS or @ least where do i go to ask, i've been looking & can't catch any info. mind you i'm old enough to have rotary dail, & this internet thing is a little beyond me.

I would Ask Ben himself..he posted in this thread.

 

[EvilDezel]

I have some 3031 on hand as well as some imr 4198, and imr 4895.

Anyone ever use Norma 201? I have a full pound of that.

Thanks again.

 

[CanuckWR]

I've used up to 51 grs. of RL-7 for all those bullets and up to 54 grs. of AA2015 with W-W cases, I know, I know, these are hotter then what the manuals show but are about equal in pressure to the smaller .450 Marlin, in the same '95 action. It produces 1900fps for the 500 grain and lots of recoil....Both these powders are good for reduced loads and 41 grs. of either powder takes you down to "trapdoor loads".

Sweet mother of god!!! That's awesome!!! Lol