Hey all - I dug out my old Lee loader and I'm interested in any info regarding light loads for the 45-70 that anybody would be willing to share. I want my wife and kids to be able to shoot my Ruger #1 without pounding their shoulder (that's my story and I'm sticking to it!). I've got a few Rem 405 gr jacketed bullets to load but what I really want to try is something along the lines of the Oregon Trail Laser Cast, either 350 gr or 405 gr but I'm not ready to buy 500 right from the start. Anybody know where you can buy bullets like these in much smaller quantities to try out before buying 500 or 100? Thanks in advance for any replies!

Greg Mushial has data for several cast bullets.

http://www.gmdr.com/lever/lowveldata.htm

10 grains Unique under a piece of cotton ball under any cast bullet. You can go up a ways, but be careful below 8 or so grains.

I like to shoot 405gr. lead bullets over 13 gr. of Trail Boss in my Ruger #1. It is a mild pleasant load .