NEI 525 gr. 458

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a j cave

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I have loaded this GC DD bulletin my Ruger #3. They shoot well. The driving band near the nose makes a little different in loading into chamber. They needed to be forced in, standard 500 not so. I reduced the OAL to 2.63. Just a different bullet shape to get use to. Who else shoots this bullet ? NEI 349.
 
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Try the Beartooth Bullets website. Under the heading: "45-70 Pile Driver", there is load data for various powders and 525 grain lead bullet.
 
I presume you are shooting this bullet out of a Ruger # 3 chambered for 45-70? The NEI mold/bullet looks pretty similar...at least to me.... to the 535 grain Lyman, Postell bullet. I used to shoot this bullet(Lyman) a fair bit in the mid-1990's, in a 45-70 McMillan Sharps. Mostly black powder, but occasionally with smokeless. In this case, SR 4759, IMR 3031, 4064 and Varget. Don't recall the exact load data, but, fairly close to those shown on the Beartooth site. You could likely hunt with this bullet, but, if heavy hunting bullets are your preference, I found that a paper-patched, 450 grain Lyman Whitworth, or similar bullet, was a better choice for game. Not so much for deer, but moose, elk, etc. I sized this bullet to .459" (patched diameter). The Lyman bullet features a large, flat meplat, rather than the roundnosed contour of the Postell. So, it seemed to transmit a good deal of shock, even at extended ranges. Other than Goex Ffg or Pyrodex RS, I believe IMR 4064 was my powder of choice for this bullet. Average muzzle velocity was between 1100-1200 fps.
Though possible, I think you would have a hard time getting 1500 fps out of this 535 grain NEI bullet. At your seating depth, there isn't much left for the powder charge. Are you attaining this at the muzzle? With which powder? If so, your data could be very informative.
 
Just looking at the drawing for your 349 bullet again. Any particular reason why you chose this particular design? I believe I see the reason for the small driving band near the bullet's nose. My guess: Allows support to that long bullet nose and likely reduces sag? Possibly reduces friction a bit, too. Might explain the single lube groove. Interesting bullet design, in any case.
 
powder I have used was 5744, & 4198, from the Layman book. The first ones I left long and had to force them in with my finger. (then the blunt end of a small screw driver) I got this mold when I bought a group of molds from a older shooter. Most had never been used, this one included. I like how it shoots but does kick with heavy loads. I think 405 GC over 50gr 3031 is still my go to load if I need a hunting load. That too kicks with the little #3.
 
I can imagine your #3 would rear back a bit!!! My favourite 405 grain cast hunting load mirrors your own. Mine...Lyman mould 457193. Plain base, rather than gas checked. Nominal 405 grains, pure lead. 420 grains, as cast from wheel weights. 50 grains, IMR 3031. This same bullet, over 50 grains Varget, also good. Lately, I've been shooting 415 grain slugs in my 1886, cast from the Lyman 457643 mould. Good accuracy. Hits hard, too. 3031 and Varget once again. No clear accuracy winner between the two, so I shoot either load. I tend to shoot a fair bit of SR 4759( close to 5744) with bullets in the 405-plus range, too. Mild load...on the order of 25 grains 4759, gives me around 1300 fps....very close to original 45-70 data. Accurate and hits hard, though it does take a while for the bullet to get there. Still, it does get the job done.
Anyway, have fun with those T-Rex busters of yours!
 
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