New Project - 47-70 boolits with unique behind them

[kenn]

I'm looking to make some light to moderate loads for my 45-70. I'm thinking I will bet a Lee 459-405HB mold and put about 12-14gr of unique behind it for about 1K fps. I'll never shoot beyond 100yds and that should serve me well. Is there another option in the 350-405 range that is an accurate boolit and the mold is reasonable? My only concern is one at a time is going to be slow going. Would at least like to cast 2 at a time...

[MtGun44]

you will likely get more like 1100 -1200 fps with that load range. If you want 1000 fps, try
more like 10 gr. You will be surprised at how well that load will work in a really
"worn out" looking trapdoor.

Bill

[kenn]

you will likely get more like 1100 -1200 fps with that load range. If you want 1000 fps, try
more like 10 gr. You will be surprised at how well that load will work in a really
"worn out" looking trapdoor.

Bill

Thanks. Will be shooting in a Marlin GBL and just want it down range accurately at 100 or less purely for entertainment. From the tables I've seen, 1000fps will keep a sub 2" group at 100y with unique. Good enough for me.

[BIGRED]

I have had good luck with Blue dot in my 45-70. 405gr RCBS. @18gr i am at 1250fps and sub moa with my GBL. the 10 gr Unique loads were very accurate at 50 yards but i never checked them @ 100 yards. you will be suprised how accurate it will shoot with the "softer" loads

[waco]

If your looking for multihull cavity molds, check out the NOE website. Killer molds at a reasonable price.

[Nrut]

Thanks. Will be shooting in a Marlin GBL and just want it down range accurately at 100 or less purely for entertainment. From the tables I've seen, 1000fps will keep a sub 2" group at 100y with unique. Good enough for me.
What tables are you looking at that are showing sub 2" groups @ 100 with cast?
Thanks

[kenn]

What tables are you looking at that are showing sub 2" groups @ 100 with cast?
Thanks

These are all oregon trail bullets (cast lead). I also believe they are 100 yard attempts but may be mistaken. Regardless, there are some that are sub 1" groups with 10 rounds. If these are shorter than that -- say 50 yards, the best 350 grain group with 12gr of Unique is .88 @50 or 1.76" estimate @100. There are a couple in there with N320 powder in the .7x group size over 10 rounds.

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

Overall this site is full of data, back story, and so on. Bottom line is there is a lot of data that shows Unique can be used for a quite accurate shot which is all I'm hoping for. If I can put em on target at 100, I'm good with that.

[oldfart1956]

Ken take a look at the Lee 90373. I'm using a lapped out version for the trapdoor and it has been exceptional. Two cavity, inexpensive, flat base and flat nose so safe for the tube magazines. It's not a lot lighter than the 405 but a smidge. I'm also using Unique, 12 gr. if I recall. Haven't had it out for a while. Groups were running under 2 inches at 100yds., recoil is modest and minimal leading. (leading is an issue with this particular gun, not the boolit) If you need it bigger lapping is fast and easy with the Lee molds. Audie...the Oldfart..

[ohshooter]

I'm looking for opinions also except I want to work up deer loads for my Marlin. I'm trying to decide between Lee's 405 solid base or hollow base. I am planning on trying powder coat also. Most of my reloading for rifles in the past has been target loads for surplus rifles. I have lots od mil-surplus powder to play with.

[bbqncigars]

One of my favorite plinking loads is 10.5gr of Unique behind a Meister 405gr boolit. The Sharps can put five into a 1.5" circle at 100yds. It feels like I'm shooting one of my airguns (zero recoil).

[Lonestar22]

114128

Here's my results with Unique and a 385gr CB.

[kenn]

I ordered the single cavity lee 405HB to start until I can figure out a boolit I like. I've got pure COWW ingots and pure SOWW ingots. As mentioned in this thread, anywhere from 10-14gr of Unique will be my experimentation.

What alloy is OK. I'm assuming at these low speeds, 50/50 SOWW/COWW will more completely fine. I'm going to powder coat a few just to see what happens...

[waco]

I just cast some of the Lee hollow base last night 50/50 pure/COWW air cooled.
Sized to .459", lubed with BAC, and loaded over 26gr of SR4759.
These will be shot out of a Marlin 1895