I'm looking for the best alloy to use in casting lead boolits for my 45-70. They will be used in low-velocity (trail Boss) plinking loads. I have a 400 gr. HP lee mould and a 500 gr. RN for use with gas checks. I also have a 250 gr. Maxi mould for 45 front-stuffers that I haven't miked. If it's close to .458, I may try some of those as well, and maybe Round Ball.
Best alloy for plinking boolits for 45-70
- Thread starter Papaclaude
- Start date
I have some pure lead and some WW.
I've shot pure WW, water dropped bullets without sizing or gas checks up to 1450fps with no leading in my 45-70.
You could use pure lead but that has other uses that you can't use WW's for (muzzle loader, black powder cartridge, slugs for those that prefer them soft, etc.)
For plinking bullets in a 45-70 I'd cast them from whatever you can get for the cheapest.
You could use pure lead but that has other uses that you can't use WW's for (muzzle loader, black powder cartridge, slugs for those that prefer them soft, etc.)
For plinking bullets in a 45-70 I'd cast them from whatever you can get for the cheapest.
If you have some tin (95/5 solder, pewter, etc) I would try adding 2% to your pure lead for castability and work your way up in hardness by adding WW.
That being said use what ever you can get the cheapest as llutnit said. I seem to have an easier time finding pure lead then ww, but I haven't tried very hard.
That being said use what ever you can get the cheapest as llutnit said. I seem to have an easier time finding pure lead then ww, but I haven't tried very hard.
unstableryan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Beautiful Okanagan Valley
I've played around a bit, but ww alloy is great for trail boss loads. I have ~sitting on the table waiting for me to feel like reloading them 
think I have enough brass too.
think I have enough brass too.Waste of lead to plink with 400 grains. Straight WW are fine or whatever scrap you can round up.
The lee 457 roundball mold made for the ruger old army works well on its own or as a tri-ball load, and Lyman makes the collar button which is THE plinking bullet for the 45-70. http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/bullet-casting/mould-details-rifles.php?entryID=85
The lee 457 roundball mold made for the ruger old army works well on its own or as a tri-ball load, and Lyman makes the collar button which is THE plinking bullet for the 45-70. http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/bullet-casting/mould-details-rifles.php?entryID=85
I've been seriously considering that bullet personally. I may have to order it when my tax refund comes in as a little present to myself.
I wonder if this one from Accurate Molds would be better for tumble lubing?
h ttp://accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=46-145W-D.png
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You dont need a sizer to lube a grease groove, since I learned to pan lube I stopped using my lubesizer and tumble lubing all together. The alox takes way to long and is to messy for me. I dont understand why theres a crimp groove on that accurate mold.
You should go for the lyman mold though, very interesting bullet to shoot and cast.
It has a crimp groove because the person who designed it had one on it. I suppose it would be for a lever gun? Almost all of the Accurate Molds designs are customer submitted.
I really like AM because every mould you order is custom sized when it's CNC cut. I can order it to .459" like I prefer for a .45-70 with .457" bore. The Lyman would need to be modified or have muffler tape used on it. Neither method I like.
I do some pan lubing myself but prefer tumble lubing because it's so much faster and easier. I'm really not bothered by the mess as it's contained and doesn't really make the rifle any dirtier (just the process and loading is messy).
I'll probably just get a Lee round ball for now and see how well I can get it to work.
I really like AM because every mould you order is custom sized when it's CNC cut. I can order it to .459" like I prefer for a .45-70 with .457" bore. The Lyman would need to be modified or have muffler tape used on it. Neither method I like.
I do some pan lubing myself but prefer tumble lubing because it's so much faster and easier. I'm really not bothered by the mess as it's contained and doesn't really make the rifle any dirtier (just the process and loading is messy).
I'll probably just get a Lee round ball for now and see how well I can get it to work.
I shot a lot of plain based 45-70 bullets made from straight ww at +/- 1400 fps with no problems at all.
Bassmaster
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- WMU 48 - Whitetail country
...pure ww...405 grain Lee mould...sized and lubed...paper patched...sized and lubed again...16.0 grains of Unique...1300 fps (original black powder velocity)...no leading...good for plinking or hunting to 100+ yards...great here in the bush...shoot all day for a few cents...no recoil...happy man...
I shot my first loading of lyman 457130 on the weekend (wheel weights)
I used the unique load data from the sheet that came with the mold
I did 5 rounds of each load (14.5. 15. 15.5 16, 16.5)
the best load of the day seemed to be the 16
this is 2 rounds at 100 yards (best of the day)
what a great load to shoot!
I used the unique load data from the sheet that came with the mold
I did 5 rounds of each load (14.5. 15. 15.5 16, 16.5)
the best load of the day seemed to be the 16
this is 2 rounds at 100 yards (best of the day)
what a great load to shoot!
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Northman999
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Yukon
I cast and shoot (currently) two 45-70 bullets, Lee 405 grain hollow base, and 340 grain plain base. I use straight wheel weights, water dropped, and alox lube. No sizing. I'm shooting the 405's @ 1915 fps under 1" at 100 yds and the 340's pushed to around 2200 fps and they are crazy accurate as well. I see no need whatsoever to buy jacketed for the 45-70, myself.
Are you getting any leading at 2200?
