45-70 bigger boolits

[Nitro700]

Hello, looking for input/advice; I have an encore with a 15" 45-70 barrel 1/14 twist. currently running 500 gr boolits out of a LEE .459-500-3R mold with good results, but I want to go bigger. What is the largest boolit weight/design I can run and keep stability with 1/14 twist at subsonic speeds? Would I need to order a custom mold? My barrel slugged at .458 My current 500gr mold drops at .459 accuracy was not to good until I powder coated the boolits, gave them a little more diameter I guess, that shrunk the groups allot. Thanks!

[BAGTIC]

How heavy do you want to go and why?

[jhalcott]

Years ago I had a mold for a 550 grain .45 bullet. It was PAINFULL to shoot in my bolt action RIFLE. I never got around to trying it in MY Contender as I was afraid it would damage the gun. Why you'd NEED a heavier than 500 grain slug is beyond me. There are less painfull ways to prove your manhood!

[Nitro700]

Years ago I had a mold for a 550 grain .45 bullet. It was PAINFULL to shoot in my bolt action RIFLE. I never got around to trying it in MY Contender as I was afraid it would damage the gun. Why you'd NEED a heavier than 500 grain slug is beyond me. There are less painfull ways to prove your manhood!

These will be used for reduced loads at subsonic speeds, and actually the 500 gr at 950fps has very manageable recoil, heres a video link below
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zeuxwg6RVs&list=UUS5nZUqYYp5HDREbs4kukXQ

[Nitro700]

How heavy do you want to go and why?

(1) As heavy as I can go and still retain accuracy.

(2) why?...hmm, louder "gong" large rodents, Buffalo, Geo metros...

[Bigslug]

As I understand it, the current concept in BPCR competition is to lob big heavies out a subsonic speeds so that you don't have to deal with the problems caused by crossing through the trans-sonic barrier as the bullet slows down.

Buffalo Arms has a host of these that go up to 580 grains. Pretty much all of them are round noses, which will be fine for knocking down gongs at long range, or straight-line penetration through big animals. If you're looking for "spectacular" impacts at shorter ranges though, these don't tear up the milk jugs nearly as much as the flat-nosed 405's. The RCBS gas-checked is a proven performer in that category, and NOE has a SWEET one in a plain base design which would be great for the speeds you're working with.

[Nitro700]

As I understand it, the current concept in BPCR competition is to lob big heavies out a subsonic speeds so that you don't have to deal with the problems caused by crossing through the trans-sonic barrier as the bullet slows down.

Buffalo Arms has a host of these that go up to 580 grains. Pretty much all of them are round noses, which will be fine for knocking down gongs at long range, or straight-line penetration through big animals. If you're looking for "spectacular" impacts at shorter ranges though, these don't tear up the milk jugs nearly as much as the flat-nosed 405's. The RCBS gas-checked is a proven performer in that category, and NOE has a SWEET one in a plain base design which would be great for the speeds you're working with.

Thanks for the reply, I missed the larger molds when I checked the site out a while ago. looks like they have a 575gr I might go with. just don't know about accuracy anything heavier or longer than than.

[Bigslug]

You'll want to go with the blunter-nosed designs of any given weight if stabilization is a concern.

Worst case scenario: if a $100ish mold doesn't work in your $600ish Encore, you now have an IRON CLAD excuse to buy a $5,000ish Shiloh Sharps Long Range Express!

[Nitro700]

You'll want to go with the blunter-nosed designs of any given weight if stabilization is a concern.

Worst case scenario: if a $100ish mold doesn't work in your $600ish Encore, you now have an IRON CLAD excuse to buy a $5,000ish Shiloh Sharps Long Range Express!

How would the Sharps look with a suppressor and aimpoint red dot ! haha

[Bigslug]

How would the Sharps look with a suppressor and aimpoint red dot ! haha


Dunno, but you can fit a whole lotta Picatinny rails on the flats of a 34" full octagon!

[country gent]

My brooks mold will open up to just over 600 grns of bore riding paper patch recoil

[Nitro700]

Dunno, but you can fit a whole lotta Picatinny rails on the flats of a 34" full octagon!

8 aimpoint sights! i like it

[hickfu]

I shoot a 540gr .460 boolit out of my 45-70 guide gun and its a hoot!!

Doc