45-70 GC lead bullets

[glockky]

I just bought a 45-70 20" katahdin barrel for my encore pro hunter. I have lots of jacketed bullets and want to try some gas checked lead. I do not cast I would like to but i have not supply of lead.

Lets hear what commercial GC lead bullets you guys are hunting with.

[MT Chambers]

I'd suggest that you find someone who casts the heavy wide flat point designs of LBT or some of the designs featured here on the group buys. If you are from Canada, I could help you out....these are available in weights from 325 grains to 550 grains, all feature very wide flat points. Some of these are driven from 1500fps to well over 2000fps, and could prove to be very uncomfortable to shoot with the light rifle. Most outfits will want to sell you very hard (BHN 25) alloy bullets, I however think that for hunting those are way too hard and may not expand at all or fracture if they hit a big bone.

[nanuk]

glockky, where are you from?

[glockky]

northeastern ky

[glockky]

I really wanna get into casting but just dont wanna have to buy all my lead online.

[HBAR2989]

Check tire shops, and scrap yards for lead. I just use wheel weights for most everything, and pure lead for muzzle loaders. Check Ranch Dogs site for a gc mold, as he is going out of business.

[glockky]

not sure how to get to ranch dogs website

[BoolitBill]

Go to the top of this page and click on the box that says Ranch Dog Outdoors

[Franklin7x57]

I'm not an expert on the 45-70 or encores, but I do have both. With the light weight of the encore and the recoil of the 45-70 loaded hot, don't rule out a flat base bullet. I'm shooting a flat base bullet with a recoil level I'm happy with and no leading.
I agree with MT Chambers softer and slower is better for me.

[HBAR2989]

I've run 16 gr of unique with the Lee 405 and 340 with good results. The 405 had a very slight edge with one big hole at 50 yds. Just dropped them from the mold, and pan lubed with Randy Rats lube.

[pls1911]

Hmmm
Glad I checked this string...
Among the life-cache just willed to me "early", there is an Encore with several barrels, one of them a 45-70. I should do an inventory.

[Bluehawk]

I do not have an ENCORE but I shoot my 45/70 H&R single shot regularly . I have shot numerous bullets out of it both regular and GC. I have had a lot of success with the LYMAN 385 Gr RN bullet ( PB) and the RD 350 ( GC) settled on the RD bullet . Loaded with IMR 3031 to about 1700 FPS its controllable and very accurate .

[Rattlesnake Charlie]

Another vote for Ranch Dog's 350 GC. Nice big meplate, light enough you don't shake your teeth loose, and seems very easy to work up an accurate load with.

[white eagle]

I really wanna get into casting but just dont wanna have to buy all my lead online.
start looking around "where there's a will there's a way".
as for boolits lots of real good choices you can hardly miss with any :lovebooli

[DLCTEX]

We shoot the Lee 340 flat base and the Ranch Dog 350 and 420 gas checks in a guide gun with good results. The lighter boolits with 4759 powder are more pleasant to shoot.

[fishnbob]

I really wanna get into casting but just dont wanna have to buy all my lead online.

I do it both ways. I am beginning to think that buying it online from a reputable source ain't a bad way to go. By the time you set up to smelt, cost of propane and as for me it wears me out to reduce ww's to ingots. I don't enjoy it like I use to. It may have something to do with age.LOL, but it ain't funny.

[pls1911]

Remington Rolling Blocks, Sharps, TCs, Marlins, Brownings and Rugers. there are at least a dozen 45-70s in the safes.
Of the numerous bullets available, the Ranch Dog 350 and the RCBS 300 have been the most productive. Easily produced in quantity, and consistant quality, make these my favorite bullets in this caliber, and they shoot very well in every 45-70 I own.
The RCBS 400 and the NEI 440 (HUGE soup can flat nosed slug) are favored heavy boolits.

[Slow Elk 45/70]

:Fire: One more vote for Ranch Dogs 350 gr. Hard to beat in my Marlins & TC:drinks: