Thread: 45/70 Subsonic

Originally Posted by homebrew.357

My Marlin 3030 has a micro grooved barrel, is your g/gun the same, I`m trying cast in my 3030 but not much success with a 150gr gc bullet. I think a 170gr would better, may have to ream out the mould a bit. In the light loads with the 45-70 are you using a filler or wad to keep the small powder charge by the primer. I only like to have two powders, 3031 for my .308, 3030, 45-70 and black also for the 45-70 so there's no mistakes. And it`s so much fun when I`m at the range with my Sharps and there`s all the semi autos in .223 with a big muffler on the end and I let rip with a black powder load,

Yes a micro groove Barrel @homebrew.357

i will run thru what i do with a new rifle to use cast in and maybe something will be of use to you .. . you probably know it already.

with a micro groove barrel especially bullets should be 1 or 2 thou at least over groove diameter, some molds your fcked before you start if theyre under sized.
your choice of alloy plays a part in bullet diameter.
mine go thru a .311 sizer when lubing, using gas checks.
choose the correct mold design for the 30/30 in lever actions.
personally i like a bullet that slightly engraves the rifling on closing the bolt or lever.
a light crimp for hunting bullets in tube mags . . .

i have used the 150grn. LEE .308 mold in the past but that was in my preMarlin days . . . the mold was good to use, cast good bullets and it went as well as any others in my Brno, same 1-10 twist.

longer heavier bullets are my first choice . . they dont work any better than shorter bullets but they just look right to me.


Yes to the filler with light loads . . which is something else to keep in mind, the amount of filler can be a factor in group size.
good news is using 7.0grns in my 30cal subsonic loads i get 1000 loads per pound of powder . . . with good accuracy . . but not for the sloppy reloader, a double charge things could get real ugly.

that black powder ( known as Holy Black to some ) will get peoples attention when it goes off . . . my first 45/70 was a Martini rebarreled with a Hawkins barrel that came with a swag of Black Powder ammo, liked firing the ammo but didnt like the mess/cleanup later . . . one of the worst guns i have owned with a terrable stock that smacked me in chops every time i fired it, a valueable lesson learned, stock design does matter.