45-70 Mold

[Chili]

My google skills are lacking today for some reason.....

What is a good mold y'all have had success with in a Winchester 1886? I would like to stay with a 405 grain bullet if at all possible.

Thanks!

[Tackleberry41]

I have an NOE mold, its a little heavy at 425gr, but with the hollow point pins its about 390gr.

[longbow]

When I had my 1895 Marlin it really liked the Lyman 457124 at 385 grs.

Not an 1886 and not a 405 gr. but it worked well for me and I liked that boolit better than the 405 gr. It shot very well and was accurate.

Longbow

[Tatume]

Lots of good molds for your rifle. Your biggest problem is rejecting good molds because there are so many to choose from. As a first cut, I like the RCBS 45-405-FN. It will cast well, shoot well, and you'll enjoy it. It's a single cavity mold, designed for a gas check.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/632708/rcbs-1-cavity-bullet-mold-45-405-fn-45-caliber-458-diameter-405-grain-flat-nose-gas-check

If you would prefer a plain base bullet, consider the Lee 457-405-F. Don't let the name fool you, 0.460" is what mine gives. For under $20 it's worth a try. Our supporter Titan Reloading has them. Mine shoots very well.

http://www.titanreloading.com/molds/bullet-molds/45-70-caliber-rifle/lee-dc-mold-457-405-f-

[runfiverun]

if your win. is cut like my browning it doesn't have a throat.
you have to be careful with the nose shape and length otherwise you won't chamber the round.

[Lloyd Smale]

the 405 rcbs rfgc shot real well in my 86 and shoots well in ever 4570 ive used it in. Only drawback is that its a single cav mold but then I don't go out and shoot a 1000 4570s in a day anyway. Ive killed deer, bear and pigs with that bullet and it left nothing to be desired.

[Bohica793]

NOE 460-405 is my go to boolit for 45/70.

[Crusty Deary Ol'Coot]

Chili,

Go to the Accurate Molds web site. There are lots of quality molds listed there, and send an "E" to Tom will get you pointed in the right direction for your rifle.

Good molds, great turn around time.

Crusty Deary Ol'Coot

[Leadmelter]

RCBS 405gr +1
Leadmelter
MI

[Crusty Deary Ol'Coot]

Lloyd is someone to lesson to, but I do prefer a bit larger meplat then the RCBS.

CDOC

[Lloyd Smale]

I questioned it too when I started using it but after a few one shot quick kills I lost those apprehensions. Ive used a group buy 400 and 450 (don't know off hand which mold maker but there aluminum) they have a bigger metplat. Ive shot some game with them too and didn't see one bit of difference. I even fooled around soft pointing the rcbs bullet and again found it was just a waste of time. Put one of those 405s in the boiler room and you will be eating back straps for breakfast. Ill also add that its more accurate and was easier to find accuracy with then any other 4570 bullet ive tried. Only real down side is like I said rcbs should be making that mold in a 2 cav instead of a single cav mold. But even though its a pain to cast compared to a 4 cav mold if I had to sell every mold but one for my 4570s the rcbs wouldn't leave this house.

[Crusty Deary Ol'Coot]

THANKS Lloyd!

I also wish that some of the RCBS molds were made in 4 cavity, but alas I'll just need to make do with those from Accurate Molds.

By the way folks, Tom can make 4 cavity molds that would about duplicate the RCBS mold.

Mean while, I am still delighted with the 465gr Wide Flat Nose that Bruce (BABore) made me when he was still making molds. It really gets er done on deer and elk!

Crusty Deary Ol'Coot

[Chili]

Thanks for the advice and suggestions. The RCBS is on my radar as well as NOE's 460-405-RF RG2 cavity PB Brass. It comes with pins to allow you to pour hollow points or flat points. And...in the true spirit of Castboolits, someone has offered a few of their bullets for me to test. What are some of y'alls favorite powders for this caliber? I have RL-7, BLC-2, IMR 3031, IMR 4895 along with Unique and 2400. I do have others, but I think those are most compatible.

[GRUMPA]

3031 is all I use, both for Trapdoor and modern loadings. Accuracy as we all know varies from rifle to rifle, but mine, rested....I connect the dots at 100yds with no problem.

[Crusty Deary Ol'Coot]

I have tried a number of the "favored" powders, then at the recommendation of my mold maker tried H335, which to this point is the winner.

47.5gr of H335 behind the 465gr Wide Flat Nose for a velocity of 1650fps and dead critters!

Crusty Deary O'Coot

[Tatume]

IMR or H 4895 are my favorites in this and many other cartridges.

[JimP.]

Lloyd is spot on recommending that RCBS bullet, i like it and use RL-7 powder, works for me...JimP.

[Walstr]

RCBS 405gr +1
Leadmelter
MI

Are you sure the dropped dia. is big enough? They advertise .458".

[Tatume]

Mine drop 0.460".