Slugging a 45/70

T

TAC

CGN Regular
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Location
Peterborough Ontario
Hi all ,
Ive read all the post about slugging barrels ,I think I can do it . All I have are some lead round balls the are .490 can I use them. Or I have a 457-405-F mold can I cast a bullet and use that . I also have some 45 cast bullets can I use them. If not where can I get what I need . I have never done this before. One guy told me he just puts a GC on and he had no problem with leading . Not sure what to do , any help would go along way. I've cast thousands pistol bullets .
Thanks in advance
TAC
 
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Lead round balls are fine even at .490 but put some lube on them and use a wooden dowel, the excess lead will just come off.

I used lead fish sinkers to do this but lead round balls (if they are pure lead) should be fine.

Don’t use cast bullets (45 you mean 452, it will be to small or 45-70 cast) as they will be to hard and you will end up whacking the hell out of the dowel to get them going.

You can use gas checks but depends on speed your pushing them, if you only want 1200-1500 i think you should be fine with out checks.

I use powder coat for all my bullets, but for 45-70 it depends on what you want to do, If its shooting at paper then in my mind no point in pushing higher velocity, it also kills your shoulder.
 
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The .490 ball should be fine. Also the 457/405 cast bullet. Pure lead is also recommended here. As a matter of interest: A gas check's primary function is to prevent gas cutting of the bullet's base. It won't do anything to eliminate leading, if the bullet is undersized. Ideally, a cast bullet will be one or two thou. over groove diameter, for proper function and accuracy. So, as already suggested, a .459" or even .460" diameter bullet should do the trick. As a veteran bullet caster, you're likely well aware of the importance of bullet diameter already. I don't think you'll run into any problems slugging your bore. Pretty easy, actually.
 
A wooden dowel will likely break. Use a 3/8" or 7/16" brass rod and your .45 bullet.
You slugging it for a reason? Just curious.
 
.490 pure lead ball will work. Run an oily patch through the barrel first, then follow with a tight dry patch. Then run your slug through it.
 
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I slugged my 44-40 using a cast 452 230 grain bullet so you should be fine with a 470 ball. Just oil your bore and cut your wooden dowel into 6 inch pieces and everything will be fine. Of course if you want to use a brass rod, they can be handy to have around guns and it wouldn't be a bad purchase.
 
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