The absolute best cast boolit caliber/cartridge?

[am44mag]

I know I'm about to start one heck of a debate, but what do you feel is the absolute best cast boolit caliber/cartridge? Taking into account everything from the type of gun that it's typically used in, to the availability and diversity of molds, boolit design, effectiveness on game, accuracy, and just pure fun to mess around with. I know a lot of people here subscribe the the idea that 35 cal being the best with 358 Win being one of the best if not the best 35 cal cartridge. I myself am partial to 44s. I feel the 44 mag is one of the best rounds ever created, and is incredibly cast boolit friendly. I put a poll up above for the caliber side of the question. Obviously there are way too many different cartridges to list in a poll.

[osteodoc08]

45 cal.

Covers:

45 Colt
45/70
45 ACP

[lightman]

I also voted 45. It really is a toss up. I cast for all of my handguns that are bigger than 380. I also cast for BP. I voted 45 because it is the one that I shoot the most of. Like Osteodoc8, I load 45 ACP, 45 Colt and 45-70 a lot.

[zymguy]

Ive used my .360 keith mold for 38 sp (also 38 +P) 357 mag ,and 358 win. one day id like to add 35 rem

[marlin39a]

I voted 30 caliber. I’ve got several molds, in several weights, for several guns.

[Adam20]

[smilie=1: You could start a poll, odds of this thread begin moved to the pit.
35 was my choice

[Mal Paso]

Another 44 Mag

[brewer12345]

I have fun shooting several cartridges, but if pressed to pick one I would say that a cast DEWC in 38 special is the last word in shooting cast for me. Sure do enjoy the 35 Rem, various flavors of 30 cal, 44 mag, etc., though.

[Bubba w/a 45/70]

35 cal, as for myself....I can run it in the 357 mag, 38 spec, or 9mm....not even counting the other 35 calibers that I don't have which can be utilized in this caliber.

458 would have been next for me. 45/70 can do a bunch also, just not quite as versatile as the 35's.

[Chill Wills]

Best is kinda vague. Best at Creedmoor matches? Home defense. Small game hunting? Best flinter RB caliber?

Enjoy.

[44Blam]

I voted 44 and 45... It's because I love big bores and I cannot lie.

[Rcmaveric]

I will be the odd ball. Selection of mold is severily limited, but i love my .270 Win and my 6.5 M. Maybe i just like complicated projects.

[Grmps]

cartridge --I love 44 mags and it is my cartridge of choice for both rifle and sidearm (45 colt would fit the same category for Colt fans).

caliber 45 is the most versatile like osteodoc08 said and would be the best caliber.

[arlon]

I have to go 30 cal and 30/06. Not the hottest new thing on the block but then again there is really no need to fix that which isn't broken. With the right cast bullets it can be about anything anyone might need at least in North America. No shortage of good 30 cal moulds and rifles to shoot them in.

I'd like the 30-30 but the limited number of decent rifles kills that idea right quick.

[NoZombies]

.32 caliber... Obviously.

[Shopdog]

Put me down for 7-08.

[Retumbo]

.30 covers 75% of what i shoot.

[ubetcha]

I would say caliper 30-30 due to its long neck to support the bullet and 44mag

[GhostHawk]

While I like the .30 cal especially the old long necked .30-30.

I voted for .44.

My .444marlin is awesome, giving me cloverleaf's out to 100 yards if I can do my bit right.

Was at the range last week working with a pair of H&R Handi Rifles both in .44mag.
Both were putting bullets through the same hole.

Easy to cast, easy to load, big thump on the far end. What's not to like?

[LUCKYDAWG13]

It's a real tossup for me so i had to vote 38 and 44 but that's what i shoot the most of

[CIC]

35 vs 44 is a tough decision for me but I went with 35. Ask me on another day and I might go 44. They are that close for me.

[rking22]

As to caliber, I voted 35. That covers 380acp for pocket pistols, 38 special for my woods roaming revolvers,357 for lite hunting thru the 35 Rem for my vintage pumps. And then theres the 35 Whelen for everything else! Im glad i dont have to keep it to one caliber. I like lots of different old guns , so i just cast and load whatever they are chambered in. Truth be told any of the top 4 voted can do anything i need, i just like the flexability of the 35 cal.
I probably shoot more 30 caliber due to my present rifle inventory and interests. If i ever have to reduce inventory, it will be MISERABLE!

[45-70 Chevroner]

I shoot a lot, I should say a whole lot of 38's and 44's but my vote has to go with the 30 caliber. My favorites are the 30-30 and the 06, I personally feel that these two are the most versatile of all cartrIdges. The 06 probably has more cast boolit and powder choices than any other caliber in any loading manual available.

[rintinglen]

I voted 35, for that is where my heart is: 9mm's, 380's, 357's, and the magnificent 38 Special but it also takes in my fine old Winchester Model 71. However, I cast boolits from .258 to .460 and have over a dozen 30 caliber molds as well. I really have no firm favorite calibers, I skitter back and forth as the mood strikes me. But were I compelled to choose, I think I'd go to the middle of the road, and resist the siren call of the 44's, 45's and the rest.

[mdi]

Originally I voted for 30 caliber, but after a little thought I'll go with 44 caliber. I have cast 44 caliber bullets for 5, 44 Magnums beginning in '88 and have a half dozen 44 cal. molds, from 123 gr balls to 265 gr, RNFP (and of course a 240 gr LSWC!)...

[bangerjim]

38 spl and 45 (long) Colt (and NOT that horrid ACP!!!!!!!!)

[kens]

45 cal.

Covers:

45 Colt
45/70
45 ACP

Sorry to disagree,
45/70 is a different mold than 45LC/ACP.
if its a different mold (diameter), its a different caliber.

[NoZombies]

Sorry to disagree,
45/70 is a different mold than 45LC/ACP.
if its a different mold (diameter), its a different caliber.

I dunno, I shoot bullets from 308, 311 and 313 molds in my 30's pretty regularly.

[MOA]

I reload cast and J words. Been loading and shooting since 81. Cast calibers of 22, 24, 30, 32, 35, 36, 40, 44, 45, 50. So, my vote goes to the thirty caliber, IMHO, the best cast, and the best tools to light them off in too.

[dragon813gt]

35 cal for me. Pistol bullets can be used in the rifles for plinking. I find the molds are the easiest to cast w/ as well. It helps that I own a lot of handguns and rifles in this caliber. All that being said I cast for everything I own. Casting perfect itty bitty 22 bullets is an exercise in frustration.

[wmitty]

.375; obviously

[Knightflyer]

The one you enjoy the most. :D
Seriously, I'm all about 30 right now. But I could see a 45lc in my future. I'd love a revolver and carbine in 45lc.

[dverna]

.35

Does .38 SPL for plinking, .357 Mag for close in hunting and SD and .35 cal rifles for anything I will ever hunt. And most can be sized to shoot in the 9mm. Tons of PB and GC designs available.

[bangerjim]

The one you enjoy the most. :D
Seriously, I'm all about 30 right now. But I could see a 45lc in my future. I'd love a revolver and carbine in 45lc.

Two of the bestest (!) and most accurate long guns I have are a 45LC Lever and a (don’t laff) Circuit Judge with a reddot. It’s a 5 round revolving long gun and is super accurate! It is fun to shoot 300gn 45 slugs out of them. And it is the wife’s favorite. She can hit anything with it.

Also 45lc revolvers are super fun. I have a couple of 45ACP (1911) semi’s and hate them. Too picky on loads and profile of cast boolits. I’ll take my 9mm’s and 40 SW’s over those silly things any day.

[bpatterson84]

35cal, due to usefulness, the 358 win is simply amazing. .44mag is the greatest of the straightwalls.

[jimb16]

I cast for many calibers from .224 up to .50. Most are easy to cast for. I just arbitrarily chose .45 since that is the one I use most. But realistically, I could choose any of ten since they are all fun and easy.

[Landy88]

Right in the middle with .35 caliber. Any bigger is a bit too much for game smaller than deer, and any smaller is bit too little for game larger than deer. Yes, jacketed or extreme casting efforts can mitigate the too big or too little; but why, when .35 is so good and so easy?

[Lloyd Smale]

44! Just ask Elmer!

[Texas by God]

Currently 44 WCF and 8mm Mauser. But I'll go back to .38 Special and 30-30 Win soon.

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[Hick]

You need to distinguish between rifle and pistol. For Rifle, 32 Winchester Special is about the best. With its 1:16 twist it is very gentle on acceleration of cast bullets and very, very versatile.

[JoeJames]

44! Just ask Elmer!For sure - 44 Special.

[WHITETAIL]

I voted for the 38, but there are many more cal.
380, 38, 357, 35, 44, 45, and that's just pistol rd.:Fire:

[JoeJames]

I voted for the 38, but there are many more cal.
380, 38, 357, 35, 44, 45, and that's just pistol rd.:Fire:Ok, simply enough: 44. 38, and 32's.

[Seabee1960]

No question; The 30-40 Krag is the perfect cast boolit cartridge. There are probably more boolit molds types in .30 caliber than any other. The Krag cartridge has a long neck that keeps the cast boolit up above the case shoulder where it belongs and will keep the grease grooves covered on most ( Louvern excepted) bullet types. The case head spaces on a very generous rim and has a tapered body that facilitates easy chambering and extraction. There are still a lot of inexpensive Krag rifles around that are the perfect rifle to experiment with. If you want to spend the money get a Winchester Hi-wall or Hi-wall clone and have yourself a real tack driver. Brass is once again available from Hornady. One of our cast boolit brothers suggested a load of 18.5 grains of Reloader 7 under the venerable Lyman 311284, gas checked and loaded to an over all length of 2.950. This load shoots MOA consistently. 221981

[hicard]

35 for me. 35 Rem, 35 Whelen, 350 Rem mag., 358 Win., 358 MGP, 380, 38, 357 mag, 357 Max.and 9mm.

[2ndAmendmentNut]

I’m going to go with the humble 38 Special. I have loaded and shot cast out of almost every gun I’ve ever owned. Lots of good cast boolit calibers out there, but sometimes it takes carful loading or paper patching to really get the performance of a jacketed bullet. I’ve probably shot over 60 firearms in 38/357 with cast boolits in 38 special brass and they have all shot equal to or better than jacketed. For that reason I’m going with the 38 Special as the best overall cast boolit performer.


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[Mac118]

38 & 44. I seem to cast & use a lot of them and they drop out of the mold easy.

[Time Killer]

hmm I like casting both the 35 and 45 cal's. To me its really a tie between these two so I am picking the one I have more molds of. The only issue with that is I love the first 45 mold I bought so I never bought any more. Al at NOE made a wonderful 45 cal powder coat mold that I fell in love with it rains hollow point bullets and is such a joy to work with. It also shoots a nice tight group out of a competition style 45. I am voting 35 cal as I have over half a dozen molds for that cal and shot it in several pistols and rifles.

[Rcmaveric]

I cant be the only .270 Win caster.... At least i am not the only 6.5mm caster. Lol we are the 1% of the 1%.

[sharps4590]

Having worked with over 100 cartridges, just about any of them from 30 cal. up in a rifle. In a rifle a nice long neck is desirable, I believe. Handguns, anything shooting a .357 dia. bullet and up. When it comes to firearms I don't believe there is a "best" anything. I could easily pick a half dozen cartridges from the list that gave excellent results with cast bullets....or jacketed bullets.

[Three44s]

Best at what?

My personal low end is the .257 bores for cast but lots of folks are doing the 22 CF cartridges these days and a good many members are swearing by the 6mm family in cast.

It is well known that as a physical matter of fact that cast works better and easier as the bore size grows. The big bores also kill like Thor’s hammer!

So is that the “best”?

Or are smaller bores better? Less recoil and lead goes much farther?

Are 30 calibers better because the weapons and their sheer numbers are overwhelming?

Is it that calibers just on either side of the marvelous 30 bore still better?

Or is it the 35 caliber range best? You have an intersection of handgun cartridges and numerous rifle cartridges of considerable note.

Well, I am “like Jesus”, I love them all!

Picking one is impossible for me.

Best regards

Three44s

[Prodigal Son]

35 is one of the best! Love 358 win. 250 gr. GC RN! Got a LYMAN mold from a gent on here for a song!

[Gtrubicon]

For me it’s 45, it covers acp and colt, my two favorite calibers. But I cast a lot of 38/357 also.

[MT Gianni]

If and it's a big if, pistol cartridges are easier to shoot, shot more often with cast and shot by more reloaders than there are casters 38 wins by a nose over 32. 44 has throat sizing issues resulting in leading with many non casting shooters. 45 Colt has case issues due to chamber sizes being tapered and most dies being straight wall. It also has throat issues in the most commonly used manufacturers.
Even with the growth of bottom feeders over revolvers I believe the 38/357 is one of the most reloaded cartridges ever and the majority with cast.

[krems]

.45 cal for me. From mice to moose and everything in between. If you reload and are aware of the relationship between chamber size, bullet diameter, and barrel groove/land dimensions you can eliminate most problems encountered with cast bullets in revolvers.

[Good Cheer]

222605

[rking22]

Whatzit... 45-70 necked to .375? Guessin that No3 is marked 375 Win ???? Pretty cool!

[White Oak]

For me it is the .35’s. I have a .358win built on a Savage action and a .356win in the Marlin 336 ER.
They both shoot the RCBS 35-200-FN very well.

[Cold Trigger Finger]

I would say , and voted 45.
The 45s and 458s will handle just about anything. 2 or 4 legged.
Nice heavyweight cast boolits.
Since the 45 Colt was developed with lead boolits. It's just natural to stay with cast boolits in them. And a 300 + gr 45 bullet at 1200 fps plus is just a really nice hammer.

[cajun shooter]

I voted for a favorite of mine since I first fired the caliber, the 44wcf. If you shoot the cartridge you can't help falling in love with it, it's the cartridge that was used in the Winchester rifle that won the West.

[dbmjr1]

I voted .45 Cal. I've a goodly supply of lead. The heavier the cast bullet, the greater the savings over purchasing projectiles.

That said, I cast for many other calibers. The only caliber I reload, that I don't cast for, is .25 ACP. That just seems fruitless at the price per projectile.

[brass410]

if it don't throw 350 grains or more , it's really just a noise maker LOL. (Sorry but I've got a love jones for big bores)

[midland man]

well i wanted but couldn't but if i could of i would had voted for two in which the one i did for is the 30c in which i shoot cast boolits in my 30-30 and i love it! but i also load and cast the 45 colt for my two rifles and pistols and i cast a 250gr lead bullet and so my two favorites are 30-30 and 45 colt for cast bullets!!

[dh2]

I had to go with the 9.3mm because only my second attempt at casting for rifles and my 9.3 x 62mm Mauser started giving me one inch groups with very little trial and era to get it figured out , that really got me to seeing a cast bollit cast do pretty much any thing that a j-word will for hunting around here, the .375 H&H Mag. not much behind it.

[Grmps]

this is like asking "who makes the best truck" :)

[catboat]

“Best” for what? Hunting? Target/groups? Pistol? Plinking?

.30 cal, .358 cal rifle / pistol , .44 cal, .452- 45 acp/ .458>>45-70. That’s my answer.

[500Linebaughbuck]

44 mag/spl and the 444 marlin

[pls1911]

I defaulted to .30 cal, but could have easily gone for .45 or .35.
The question as stated was somewhat ambivalent...
Best for what?
Handguns?
Rifles?
Buffalo or bunny rabbits?
I had a friend who enjoyed popping big grasshoppers with a .45 ACP, so perhaps the ambivalence is in my own mind...

[dwtim]

Forty-five....if you love the .44, you're going to love the slightly more efficient .45 with some extra surface area on the bottom.

[cwlongshot]

I know I'm about to start one heck of a debate, but what do you feel is the absolute best cast boolit caliber/cartridge? Taking into account everything from the type of gun that it's typically used in, to the availability and diversity of molds, boolit design, effectiveness on game, accuracy, and just pure fun to mess around with. I know a lot of people here subscribe the the idea that 35 cal being the best with 358 Win being one of the best if not the best 35 cal cartridge. I myself am partial to 44s. I feel the 44 mag is one of the best rounds ever created, and is incredibly cast boolit friendly. I put a poll up above for the caliber side of the question. Obviously there are way too many different cartridges to list in a poll. Haha

Good topic!

Of coarse ya aint gonna determine best or worst... Just most favorable. :wink:

I am happy to see I am in the popular group choosing a "45" as my "favorite and a "35" as my second.

CW

[Crash_Corrigan]

I pretty much cast boolits for a large majority of these calibers. I shoot a lot of 9 MM's and .44's for my two carry guns to keep sharp. I also shoot my 1911 a lot along with my Smith Model 57 in 41 Mag. My favorite revolver calibre is .44 Special as I have a Lipsey's special 5.5" Bisley model Ruger BH in that caliber and it is the perfect packin' revolver with a very decent punch and can be loaded up or down to suit your needs. The most accurate is my custom Mauser loaded with 6.5 x 55 MM 140 gr boolits than group at less than 1 MOA all day long. The most fun rifle is my Garand loaded with 150 gr boolits w/o loob grooves ala Mihec (bless his Slovenian soul) and may he keep on turning out his works of art for the next 50 years. He should also train some of his children in the craft to keep it going...........

[FISH4BUGS]

9mm wasn't even on the list. I shoot thousands of them. H&G #331. Just bought a H&G 161 to try.
38/357 (H&G #51 & H&G #39) , 44spl and 44 mag (H&G #503). Cast and load handgun and rifle both.

[jmort]

I know I'm about to start one heck of a debate, but what do you feel is the absolute best cast boolit caliber/cartridge? Taking into account everything from the type of gun that it's typically used in, to the availability and diversity of molds, boolit design, effectiveness on game, accuracy, and just pure fun to mess around with. I know a lot of people here subscribe the the idea that 35 cal being the best with 358 Win being one of the best if not the best 35 cal cartridge. I myself am partial to 44s. I feel the 44 mag is one of the best rounds ever created, and is incredibly cast boolit friendly. I put a poll up above for the caliber side of the question. Obviously there are way too many different cartridges to list in a poll.

No, not much of a debate
.45 caliber
Post #2 began and ended the debate
The vote totals are definitive

[Jtarm]

I’d have to go with .358. Covers everything from.38 SC to .357 Maximum for me.

.44 a very close second.

[Mr_Sheesh]

Well, I don't currently HAVE anything in a few of these calibers, but could vote for 2/3 of them, only problem is that if I did that I'd get Jonesing for everything ELSE on the list; Don't think I quite dare do that. Lots to be said for .30, loaded and shot a bunch of those, but also .355, .357, .22, .25, .27, .284, .44, .45, and 1/2 the rest. I mainly need to MOVE so I can cast at home; Then get a Magma rig together :)

[jonp]

I also weighed in on 45cal. The 45 Colt, for me, is the easiest to cast for and reload although I shoot a bunch of 38sp/357Mag

[Rcmaveric]

Well, I don't currently HAVE anything in a few of these calibers, but could vote for 2/3 of them, only problem is that if I did that I'd get Jonesing for everything ELSE on the list; Don't think I quite dare do that. Lots to be said for .30, loaded and shot a bunch of those, but also .355, .357, .22, .25, .27, .284, .44, .45, and 1/2 the rest. I mainly need to MOVE so I can cast at home; Then get a Magma rig together :)

Lol see.... i am not the only .270 caster lol

[twidpa]

32-20 for every thing short of bears.
Does voting increase the post count?
T

[allsy]

Another 45 vote, between ACP and Colt I have not found an easier to cast bullet. (Guess it doesn't help I'm a newbie)...

[John McCorkle]

30 cal 100 percent. .308 win, 30 06, and a ton of 300 blk... everything from full house loads to mouse fart plinkers...

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[ascast]

38 rifle or pistol? same with 44. I don't cast many pistol bullets.

[kcajeel]

I'm really liking my 32-40 for Scheutzen shooting. I wish I had started this type shooting many years earlier. It's really satisfying if you can understand that.

[John McCorkle]

I'm really liking my 32-40 for Scheutzen shooting. I wish I had started this type shooting many years earlier. It's really satisfying if you can understand that.I'll bite, what is scheutzen shooting?

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[waksupi]

I'll bite, what is scheutzen shooting?

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http://blog.westernpowders.com/2017/11/schuetzen-the-purest-form-of-competitive-shooting/

[richhodg66]

I read somewhere somebody analyzed it from a bunch of different criteria and determined the .30-40 Krag was the ultimate rifle cartridge for cast bullets. Not gonna disagree, it's a very good one. Guess it all depends on which of those criteria were most important to you.

[Green Frog]

As has been mentioned, sometimes you’ve got to be more specific. I voted for 32 because for rifle, the 32-40 is hard to beat for everything from target to medium large game... they’ve been used for well over 110 years, and although brass may be difficult to find at Wal*Mart (it’s not there) it’s easily formed and worth the effort! Of course there are also the much loved (in some circles) 32 Spl and the extremely popular German 8 mm to add to the mix.

In handguns, the variety of 32s available makes any kind of shooting that can logically be done with a handgun convenient and effective. Anything from 32 Short & Wimpy to 327 Fed Mag and 32-20 with pretty much the same bunch of bullets.

Yep, if you just list “32” as a choice, it wins hands down!

Froggie

[Texas by God]

Since I finally have one and it's not even listed- 38-55 of course!

[toallmy]

I'm gonna go with what ever you have at the moment . So far I have enjoyed everything I have tried cast boolits in .

[CamoWhamo]

If i had to choose a caliber i would go with .375 - .380 as for some reason i seem to be able to cast better bullets for my 38-55 and .375/444 Marlin than any other caliber. I have 7 moulds in this range and with all of them i get good bullets from the first pour and very few rejects.

I also cast for 25-35, .30-30, .303. .357 & 44-40, all of which seem to take me some time to get into the groove and start producing good bullets.

I'm thinking a .358 caliber rifle bullet might work well too.

[Hueyville]

45 acp, 44 special & mag, 38 special & 357 mag/max, 40 Smith, 454 Casull Mag, 9mm, 7.62x39, 7.62 NATO/308, 458 SOCOM, 35 Rem, 30-30, 22 Hornet, 5.56/223 and a few more. Performance is directly dependent on alloy used for each projectile though some are less picky on alloy choice which I have four bottom pour lead pots to keep from having to empty pots and put another in as I am lazy alomg with easily confused. Have a Lyman 200 grain 45 acp SWC that have used with wheel weights for 35 years and will put it up against any load going. Have a target at work where fired a 100 round 2" group at 50 feet two hand hold with no rest using a 1911 custom carry comp pistol. Was much smaller at 50 but lost my original aiming dot totally which aiming at a hole is hard to do tring to remember where the true point of aim was at beginning. They make major class and would use for defense without hesitation. It shoots 1.5" 10 shot groups.

[M-Tecs]

Once you pick an application you can have a discussion on what the "best" is. Until than it's no different than debating what's the best ice-cream flavor is. What's "best" for a lead saving quiet squirrel cartridge is vastly different than what is "best" for 1,000 yard BPCR. Same for almost all other applications.

[Bent Ramrod]

For somebody just interested in shooting who is getting into casting the first time, I’d say the .30 caliber. It has more good boolit designs in inexpensive production moulds than any other caliber. Good loads in this caliber will shoot out to “mid-range” well enough, and most shooters don’t go out anywhere near that far.

About the only deficiency would be somewhat lacking in power for big game hunting, where the diameter and weight would be a little below par at cast boolit velocities. This might not matter to a good field marksman, though.

[scattershot]

Well, .45 covers a lot of territory, from 45/70 to .45 Colt, to .45 ACP, not to mention all the older black powder cartridges, so for sheer number of loads it gets my vote.

[Petander]

I guessed the winner and voted 45 as well.

45 ACP and 45-70 have been very nice and easy for me for a long time. They also coat great.

[super6]

45-70 hands down.

[longbow]

My view FWIW is straight walled rifle cartridges:

- .357 max.
- .357 max. rimless
- .375 Winchester
- .44 mag.
- .444 Marlin
- .444 rimless
- .45-70
- 12 ga.

I like straight walled cartridges! The only one of those I currently own is .44 mag.

I have only owned and cast for limited calibers over the years:

- 9mm
- .44 mag.
- .30-30
- .308
- .303 British
- 7.65 x 53
- .45-70
- 20 ga. (slugs)
- 12 ga. (slugs)

I find smaller calibers (like .30 cal.) harder to find good top end loads so while there are lots of moulds available most seem suited to moderate cast boolit loads. Lightweight boolits can't be driven to "J" bullet velocities... or at least easily... and retain accuracy with no leading. Heavy boolits maybe.

I figure the mid range of .35 cal. to large bore are the most versatile overall and prefer .44 cal. and up. I've owned two .45-70's that digested everything from collar button boolits to over 500 gr. boolits easily and for the most part loaded to "J" boolits specs with PB boolits. No leading, good accuracy. Easy to load for. Maybe hard on lead with the heavyweights. About the only disadvantage I see here is steep trajectory at long range. The smaller bores may provide flatter long range trajectory.

If I had to choose one cartridge it would likely be a choice between .444 Marlin, .45-70 or 12 ga. and I think .45-70 would be the choice because it is about the most versatile and brass is readily available, lots of moulds from round ball to 600 gr.+, history, performance range (download for target, upload for big toothy critters), easy to get good accuracy at top end loads or anywhere on down to mouse fart loads.

I voted .45-70 because that is my most likely single choice for "best" overall for what I want. 12 ga. would run a close 2nd.

Like I said... FWIW this is "best" for me!

Longbow

[oscar669]

45-70 best cast boolit ever made

[gwpercle]

Why did you leave out 9mm ?

[Conditor22]

This may depend on what your favorite truck is [smilie=s:

[.22-10-45]

I voted for the .32 on account of it's excellent reputation in the hands of men such as Pope, Zischang, Schoyen, and of course the famous 200yd. Rowland group. That being said, I have gotten excellent accuracy with .22, 6mm, .25, .38, .40 & .45 cast bullets. Some being way out of the realm of what would be considered normal cast bullet usage..such as a 6mm Winchester-Lee straight-pull sporting rifle & .25 Ackley Krag Improved.

[Hickory]

Alas, for me there is no one answer for just one caliber.
Although I do favor the medium and larger calibers the 224 cast boolits are good for canceling the future of garden varmints.

I can't pick one and I won't try.

[444ttd]

mmmmmmmmm......although i luv my krag and my 35/30, i pick the .429 - .432" boolits. i have a 444 marlin and a 44 mag/spl that likes a 180 - 300gr boolit(350 - 455gr boolit is on my list).

a 45-70 is good fer some, but i luv my 444.

[white eagle]

well typically anything I have a need to load cast in