New Caster Questions

[MickeyJr]

Hi All,

I am just starting to cast my first bullets and have a few questions:
When I cast my hard cast (bnh 22) RD lee mold 45-70 bullets do I have to lube and size/gas check them right away or can I do that later?
I plan on sizing them to .460 using the lee size & lube kit, will chamber pressure be higher if these bullets are sized to .460 compared to .459?
What is the current price for ready to cast alloy bars that are approx bnh 22-23from the refinery?

Thanks in Advance,
MickeyJr.

[jhalcott]

why are you using such a HARD alloy in the 45-70??
You can cast up all you will ever need and lube/size them when you get ready to load them. The pressure should not go up all that much. What gun are you using them in? Did you slug the bore to see what size you really need?

[MickeyJr]

Hi JHalcott,

I was given a few large bars of hard cast bullet casting alloy by a local commercial caster I know. He said that it is the same alloy he uses for his hard cast pistol & rifle bullets approx 21-23 bhn. I am loading for a Marlin 1895G 45-70 rifle.
When I slugged the bore of this rifle the diameter was approx .458 - 458.5

[waksupi]

Mickey, I believe you would be better off saving the hard stuff, and finding some more suitable alloy for BPCR. I use WW's, and many say those are too hard, but I have good luck with them. Maybe you can swing a trade with someone.

[KYCaster]

I think I'd find somebody with a hardness tester to check that alloy![smilie=1:

Jerry

[454PB]

To answer your original question, yes, you can size them later. .001" should not raise pressure enough to notice, but be sure they chamber OK at .460".

[44man]

I don't think you can size them to .460 because the mold probably won't cast them that large. You might be lucky and get .458 or .459 at the outside. Then again, you might only get .457.
Your rifle should do fine with a .459 boolit.
Let us know what the mold does.

[MickeyJr]

What bnh hardness would be the best for these 45-70 bullets from a Marlin 1895G?

[Bullshop]

ACWW Nutin better!
BIC/BS

[montana_charlie]

Somewhere between BHN 9 and 12 should be OK...
CM