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Reloading 45-70 with cast bullets

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03 November 2002, 02:27
gtrotz
Reloading 45-70 with cast bullets
Have anyone developed loads for the 2000 fps range ,300-400 grs cast bullets with some kind oo accuracy?
I have a Browning hi wall and a Browning 1886.

Thank�s to all.
03 November 2002, 13:21
Allen Glore
I use the Beartooth Bullets 405 grain gas checked bullet that is made specifically for the Marlin 1895 chamber over 56 grains of H322 with a velocity of 1956 FPS from the 18.5" barrel. This load will shoot 1-2 inch groups at 100 yards from my rifle.
03 November 2002, 14:46
micmac
What's recoil like on that load Allen? Sounds like a thumper on both ends!
04 November 2002, 12:29
aladin
quote:
Originally posted by micmac:
What's recoil like on that load Allen? Sounds like a thumper on both ends!

Sounds like the recoil level of a thirty caliber magnum.

Be interesting to take that load and place a pie plate at 50 yds and see how many or if the guys shooting that load/gun could hit it with three shots.
05 November 2002, 00:52
<Yspen>
So far no success with the Lee 340 gr in my Ruger.
( the 500gr Lee with GC groups fine ) .
I have tried everthing - hardcast , inverted GC, softchecks , velocities from 1500 to 1800 fps , sized & unsized , etc but cannot get it accurate .
I haven't given up yet ...........trying some more loads in the 1500 fps range as that is giving best groups so far ( approx 4 inch ) .

Ben
05 November 2002, 02:04
arkypete
I've been having real good luck using Rl-7, thank hreavens since I bought the free worlds supply as number of years ago.
I'm shooting a 350 grain Saeco GC'd with 50 or so grains in my Winchester 1886. If memory serves I'm getting around 1947 fps. Don't hold me on that as I was also shooting a Rossi 1892 in 45 Colt over my buddies chronograph.
In my 45-70 bolt gun I get good results with 54 grains of IMR 4064 behind a 445 grain Lyman GC'd. Don't know the velocity but it's accurate and powerful.
Jim
05 November 2002, 16:41
gtrotz
MY EXPERIENCE SEEM TO BE THE SAME AS YOU.
I COULDN'T PUT THREE BULLETS IN LES THAN 3 OR 4 INCHES TRYING WITH MOULDS IN 300 & 350 GR ,ALL W/O GC AND ALL FROM 1700 FPS UP.
BUT I DON'T WANT TO ABANDON SO TOMORROW WILL GO TO A MECHANIST WHO MAKE MOULDS HERE IN ARGENTINA AND TRY TO CONVICE HIM TO CUT 2 MOULDS IN 300 & 350 GR WITH G CHECKS FOR ME AND TRY WITH THEM.
WITH THE BROWNINF HIGH WALL AND 300 GR JACKETED BULLETS MY BEST GROUP WAS WITH 50 GR OF R7.
THANKS TO ALL
GTROTZ
05 November 2002, 19:16
stocker
gtrotz: I couldn't get accuracy from my 1886 at the velocity levels you are seeking until I started oven hardening my bullets. As cast from wheel weights with a bit of tin added they would only shoot well to about 1700fps. After oven hardening they shoot well at max. load levels. Might be worth a try for your rifles.best
05 November 2002, 23:52
gtrotz
THE LAST BATCH I CAST BUT NOT TRIED YET WAS OF PURE LINOTIPE CASTED HOT AND QUENCHED IN COLD WATER ,I HAVE NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE WITH THIS METHOD BUT I CAN SEE THAT THE BULLETS COME OUT REALLY HARD.
I WAS SIZING THEM TO 458 AND AM THINKING OF LET THEM IN 459 OR 460 & LUBING THEM WITH LYMAN ORANGE MAGIC.
THIS WEEKEND IF I DON'T GO LOOKING FOR SOME WILD HOG I WILL DO ALL THIS TRIALS.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
REALLY VERY FOND WITH THE FORUM
THANK'S TO ALL OF YOU
GTROTZ
06 November 2002, 00:56
Softlead
Hi
I was using Lyman 457406 500 Rn GC with a 6 BNH alloy. (Yes that is softlead)
I got wondrful expansion but no 4-6")accuracy.
Switched to 12 BNH alloy and got sub 2" groups.

This was from a Marlin 45-70.
500 grainers @ 1750 fps.

//
06 November 2002, 04:33
stocker
gtrotz: The ideal situation for water quenched bullets from the mold is to not remove any metal at all by the sizing lubing process. What is the diameter of your bullets as they are dropped? Generally .001-.002 oversize from the rifle's bore diameter is ideal. If your bullets are dropping at .459 or .460 I would try pan lubing them and shooting them unsized. Or, use a sizing die that does not remove any metal while lubing. It is generally felt that sizing a bullet after hardening removes the hard skin from the bullet. When oven hardening I size first without lube , heat and quench the bullets and then lube with an oversize sizer die. Allow a couple of days after hardening before shooting as peak hardness does not seem to occur at moment of quenching but develops over a day or two.
Actually, I am surprised that linotype is not giving you good accuracy at the velocity level you are looking for. It usually performs quite well without hardening provided you are using a quality bullet lubricant and have no traces of copper fouling in the barrel. Are you satisfied that bullet quality is consistent?
06 November 2002, 04:36
stocker
gtrotz: Just noticed that you have not been using gas checked bullets. That is probably the whole problem right there. When you get your new molds I think you will see an immediate difference.
06 November 2002, 08:42
Allen Glore
Aladin, how many greenbacks you want to put up as to wether or not I can hit a pie plate at 50 yards with that load I listed? I'll do it with 5 rounds. 45-70 is one of my smaller cartridges.
06 November 2002, 11:34
aladin
quote:
Originally posted by Allen Glore:
Aladin, how many greenbacks you want to put up as to wether or not I can hit a pie plate at 50 yards with that load I listed? I'll do it with 5 rounds. 45-70 is one of my smaller cartridges.

"and see how many or if the guys shooting that load/gun could hit it with three shots"

You might make it being familar with heavy recoilers. Few do such.