Thread: 45-70 reloading casts - what is there?

Originally Posted by rossi.45

if he put a decent set of sights on his guide gun he would do better, this is not hunting, its target shooting where you adjust fire untill the target is hit !

your talking about consistant hits at 1000yds . . . its not about you rambo, what you want, you are fckin amazing, not in a good way

there are guys hitting targets at +1000yds with the likes of the .30/30 with iron ladder sights

this is a classic problem with the internet . . . . guys who say it cant be done - because they cant !

Someone is a little touchy hahaha

@rambo-6mmrem Cheers for the offer of 420 grainers but I'm really committed to the 500s for the moment, it's as much about learning how to do it all for me as anything. @rossi.45 I've had a brief look at the cast boolits page and dear say I will look there a few times more yet. Cheers for the support

Originally Posted by LoganRobertson

@rambo-6mmrem Cheers for the offer of 420 grainers but I'm really committed to the 500s for the moment, it's as much about learning how to do it all for me as anything. @rossi.45 I've had a brief look at the cast boolits page and dear say I will look there a few times more yet. Cheers for the support

All good mate the offer is still open if the 500's don't work out
The 500's will definitely give you better long range accuracy if you can get them to shoot
A friend of mine is using a 500 in his and is definitely a little more consistent at range
We shoot black powder though I geuss you'll be shooting modern powders
Have fun im off to a 50m 100m 150m and 200m bpcr shoot this weekend
I have over 1lb of powder loaded into 45/70 rounds ready to go im looking forward to it my shoulder on the other hand not so much

Finally made some progress on the 500gr loads. I cast up 2 dozen successful pills last night after much trial and era.

After some research I've found that for the 500gr to work in the 1:20 twist barrel I need to load upwards of 1400fps. If this is untrue I'm happy to be corrected. I was thinking about using reloader 7 powder but am open to recommendations, I was also wondering what you guys would recommend for lube and if I should be using gas checks or not

Hi I have the Lyman Classic American Calibers load data and it only has loads for a 500gr bullet in the 1873 Springfield. RX7 =30gr, 1119fps, 34gr, 1284 fps =Marx load. there is no load for a 500gr bullet for a Marlin lever, only a 405gr one. You could try the Springfield max load to see how it goes, but tour main problem is recoil in a light rifle with heavy bullets. I`m using 3031 with 420gr bullets in my Sharps 45-70 and could go to 500gr ones as my rifle is 12 1/2lbs . S P G lube should do it. Cheers, it`s all fun.

well done @LoganRobertson . . . good to see your making progress and look forward to more

for lube any of the commercial varieties out there would be ok . . . i prefer to make my own mixture of Beeswax/high temp grease

Gas Checks i use always, you dont really have to until the velocity gets closer to 1600fps but i prefer them, the barrel appears cleaner and accuracy was a little better, not much but still better.

and keep up the reading at castboolits.com

R.

Cheers for the help guys. @rossi.45 where do you get your gas checks from? Also will I be likely to need a crimp die? I have loaded up a dummy round and it seemed to hold together fine

If your mould is a flat base bullet then gas checks cant be used, otherwise they are fitted before lube and sizing.

After some research I've found that for the 500gr to work in the 1:20 twist barrel I need to load upwards of 1400fps. If this is untrue I'm happy to be corrected. I was thinking about using reloader 7 powder but am open to recommendations, I was also wondering what you guys would recommend for lube and if I should be using gas checks or not[/QUOTE]

Your mould is cut for gas checks generally they shoot better with checks than without, I have some Hornady .45 GC I can let you have to try how many would you like?
you need some way of crimping them on I use a Lee push through size die to put the GC's on before running them through the Lube sizer, their .45 cal die is .457"
you really need a .459" but they are easy to polish out a couple of thou I did some of mine with 600 grit wet and dry and a Phillips screw driver in an hour or so
the Lee bullet lube is easy to use and is ok for the velocity you are going.

@shooternz I would be very keen to try some gas checks and are there any more pointers you can give me on taking the mold out to .459?

Interesting turn of events... I was just about to begin polishing out my molds, then I thought I'd measure my bullets for interest sake... well they're dropping out at .459. I'm unsure why, could it be due to the lead I'm using? I'm using old bags of shot

Logan, I was talking about polishing out the Lee push through die not the bullet mould that is a little tricky,
Bird shot is good for casting you can cut it with straight lead 2 to 1 to make it go go further and little softer is better for expansion ,
Gas checks are about 8 cents each if you buy a box of 1000, I will send you some if you like i have nearly a box full I don't use them
at present my mould is not cut to take them.

Originally Posted by LoganRobertson

Interesting turn of events... I was just about to begin polishing out my molds, then I thought I'd measure my bullets for interest sake... well they're dropping out at .459. I'm unsure why, could it be due to the lead I'm using? I'm using old bags of shot

the first lesson you learn in casting is assume nothing . . . measure everything.

if a mold, barrel, die, bullet or whatever says something like .308 or .458 you take it with a grain of salt, always, no exceptions.

tolerance in manufacture is what your dealing with and alloys of uncertain percentages, some are closer to spec than others, some are further out . . . so you check

i am pleased you measured your bullet before fcking with the mold, there are better ways to increase bullet diameter if you have to.

I am pleased myself that I didn't stuff my mold, certainly a lesson to measure everything. @shooternz I would be very grateful if you could send me some gas checks, I don't think I need very many as if they work well I will buy a box myself when I find a stockist

PM your address and I will post you some