Reduced 45-70 loads, Chronograph, and 2 guns, some pics and questions

[BowHunter252]

I had to try out my new Marlin 45-70, so made up some boolits real quick. Took my Handi Rifle also. I was shooting Lee 450-470-F boolits. Both guns have peep sights. I was shhoting at 125 yards.

I cast the boolits the night before out of straight stick on wheel weights and water dropped. They measured .456, which I think is probably a little too small but I am happy with how they shot.

I was using 10.5 gr Trail Boss and getting around 850 fps. I think I'll try 11 or 12 gr next time.

The pan lubing didn't go so well. It seemed like my lube was much more brittle than the last time I used it. It kept breaking apart when I tried to push the boolits out. So I ended up just rubbing a piece of lube on the grooves for every boolit. Messy! When I made the lube several months ago I used 50-50 parrafin and crisco, plus a blue crayon. Maybe I should try beeswax and olive oil?

The temp was about 63 F and I had my ammo in a see thru ammo box. The lube was melting, and in one case was bubling up around the bullet:?:

I still haven't slugged my barrels, maybe I will get to that one day.

I haven't shot much with peep sights. The rear sight on the Handi Rifle has a much smaller aperture than the Marlin, which I guess is better for target shooting. But I like the front sight on the Marlin better. It is narrower easier for me to aim with.


1)Do you guys think it would be better to use clip on WW instead of stick on?

2) To all you peep sight shooters, what type of front sight do you use for target work? Would a front sight with a circle around it help with alignment?

3) Any other suggestions?

Here are some pics of the targets and sight pictures through each rifle.

Here is a pic of the Handi rifle target, I am very happy with this accuracy, especially with open sights.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c366/viper252/IMG_8880.jpg

Marlin Target
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c366/viper252/IMG_8879.jpg

Handi sight picture
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c366/viper252/IMG_8878.jpg

Marlin sight picture
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c366/viper252/IMG_8876.jpg

[BrianB]

At those speeds, I would just use Alox. I have used it in a 45-70 at speeds in excess of 1,600 fps with absolutely no leading. (Straight WW bullet, no gas check)

I just put the bullets in a zip-lock, squeeze in some Alox, close bag and roll them around until coated. Remove them (I wear a latex, surgical type glove) and dry them base-down on wax paper overnight. Throw away the glove and bag-no mess.

I am a little confused about the .456. Is the mold a bit small or do stick-on's contract that much more than clip-on's when quenched?

[Von Gruff]

That is good shooting with the Marlin. I have a flat topped post for both my aperture sighted rifles and find I like it better than a bead. The marlin aperture is a fine aperture and you will do well with it.

Von Gruff.

[454PB]

Stick-on wheelweights are usually pure or nearly pure lead. Since there's little to no antimony, water dropping the boolits will not add any hardness, and they will be smaller in diameter. I'd suggest you try clip-on wheelweights, and a boolit lube with better lubricating properties and a higher melt temperature. I like 50/50 Alox-beeswax, and I used to make my own. I now buy it from Lars.....http://www.lsstuff.com/index.html

I can hardly buy the components for what he charges.

[BowHunter252]

BrianB, the alox is a good idea. I've never used it but I think I will try some.

Von Gruff, I definately like the post better than the bead, especially with that white line down the middle.

[Wayne Smith]

Clip-on ww's or half and half clip on and stick on and you can water drop either. Emmert's lube is easy and you probably have the ingredients in your kitchen except the beeswax. If you haven't done so yet go to the bottom of the page and click on the Bullshop and get some sprue plate lube. Then make Speed Green, it will do anything you need done.

[Stove_Pipe]

Your boolits are way too small diameter for 45-70. I size mine for my guide gun to .459, even at .458 they were too small for mine.

BTW, I cast the Lee 350 and size to .459, over 14.5 grn Trailboss and they touch at 50. Air cooled clip ons with home made lube (Parafin, carnuba, alox)


Slug your bore, a tight .001 over sized boolit whill really help you get the most out of those rifles.

[Tazman1602]

Bowhunter --

Bite the bullet and stuff a slug down that barrel. Just take a pure lead slug (your sticky WW's are almost pure lead....) and start it with a non-marring hammer then push it the rest of the way through with cut off wooden dowels. Measure with a mic and size about .001 bigger than bore. You'll DIE when you see the accuracy improvement.

I got lucky on my 45-70 and .450 Marlins both of which slug at .4565-.457 so sizing them to
.458 gets me great groups.

Also the guys are right about the alox, if you're just shooting them at those velocities alox will work great but I still think your bullet is too small for your barrel.

...........even if it is too small that's better than my old eyes will shoot at 125yds with open sights <grin>

Art

[fredj338]

That is good shooting w/ open sights. I agree, 0.456" is probably too small for best accuracy in the 45-70. I am shooting the Lee 340gr, sized 0.459' cast from ww. I haven't had a good day to test for accuracy but I am running them full speed from my 1895Gm at 1700fps.

[Charlie Sometimes]

BowHunter252- What is the front and rear sight on your Marlin?
It looks like a good ghost ring/ scout sight set up.
I might like that set up on mine!

[BowHunter252]

BowHunter252- What is the front and rear sight on your Marlin?
It looks like a good ghost ring/ scout sight set up.
I might like that set up on mine!

It is these right here. They came on the rifle. Now I feel like I got an even better deal at $400 shipped:D

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=363936
http://media.midwayusa.com/ProductImages/Medium/363936.jpg

[44man]

I don't have the Marlin 45-70 but a friend has the stainless guide gun. He does not reload and he brought some cowboy loads to shoot. One box was Lancer, 405 gr LFN and the other was Ultra Max 405 gr RNFP. These were very pleasant loads and had Starline brass. I was amazed at the accuracy. We had a good time.
Then he had a few boxes of A-Merc loads and they were terrible, many would not go off, they sprayed shots when they did. I sized a few cases and they cracked.
I fell in love with the gun but have no money for one. All I do know is that the gun can shoot and shoot very well. So you are getting some good information.

[mpmarty]

My favorite load in my Marlin '95 is a 350gr Ranch Dog over eleven or twelve grains of Unique. eleven grains gives average of 1050fps and no leading or other problems. When the weather clears up (if and when) I'll take it to the range and see what it does at one hundred and two hundred yards.:cbpour:

[Charlie Sometimes]

It is these right here. They came on the rifle. Now I feel like I got an even better deal at $400 shipped:D

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=363936
http://media.midwayusa.com/ProductImages/Medium/363936.jpg

Thanks! I'll look into getting some soon.