Wheel weights for 45/70?

[762cavalier]

Is straight wheel weight OK for 425 grain boolits in a Marlin 1895?

[mroliver77]

Depends on what load is behind it. You could give a little more background like how much of what powder, how fast you want to push it etc.
J

[JSnover]

Also depends on what you mean by "OK". For target work or higher velociteies you might want to harden it. For a game bullet you might want to soften it. You'll get leading if you push it too fast but that applies across the board..

[762cavalier]

Not sure which powder I'll be using. Would like to get about 16-1800 FPS if possible but not sure if this is too much. Will be using it mostly for target work with possible hunting opportunities

[joatmon]

I would think so. Cast em, load em, shoot em and tell us how it went! I use WW and 2-1 WW lead mix for about everything. Aaron

[JSnover]

Yeah. You pretty much just cast 'em up and see what works. I emailed The Antimony
Man a few months ago to ask a similar question. He basically told me that his customers are shooting (and winning) with everything from custom-made alloys to recycled range scrap.
WW is ok.
Lyman 48th Edition is one book with a pretty simple general purpose alloy/hardness chart. Check the stickys, I'm sure someone here must have posted a link to something like that.

[softpoint]

I've used a lot of straight ww at the speeds you mention in the 45/70. Some of the things you can try to alter the performance would be water-dropping out of the mold, post sizing heat treatment, different burn rate powders. Also the condition of your particular bore will have effect. Are you using gascheck bullets?

[Adam10mm]

I run WW and water dropped WW in my Guide Gun. IMR4198 or R7 are both lead friendly and work well in the 45/70. I run IMR4198 and Varget. Have yet to try R7.

[762cavalier]

Yes, they are gas checked. One of Ranch dogs molds. IMR 4198 is good for lead? that is good, I have a 1lb can I didn't have a use for till now. what charge weights are you using and what bullet weight?

[Adam10mm]

I run 45gr with a 405gr FN. About 41,600psi according to QL. Should be humming along at 1850fps from a 18.5". Kicks like Chuck Norris. I run the 1895 to 43,500 CUP as this is the same action as the .450 Marlin and that is it's operating pressure. I've gone up to loads that generate 50K and the brass (Starline nickel) just falls out.

I like 50gr of IMR4198 with Hornady 350gr FNSP. Does about 1950fps from the Guide Gun.

Even though IMR4198, H4198, and R7 are pretty much the same burn rate, R7 and H4198 can go with higher charges and velocity than IMR4198. I'm going to try R7 next.

36-37gr of IMR4198 with a 405gr FN is a pretty nice load. Sub-1700fps from a Guide Gun.