The Lightest Most Accurate Bullet/Mold For The 45-70

[huntersdog]

I was wondering what is the lightest bullet you shoot out of your 45-70 that is accurate for punching paper.

[jsheyn]

I've good luck in my 15" Encore pistol with RCBS 45 - 300 FN

[longbow]

I had some pretty good results from some commercial collar button boolits I ordered many years ago. They don't get much lighter than that. There have been a couple of group buys for collar buttons and lightweight boolits through Mihec and NOE in recent months so there may still be some available and I believe Lyman has re-introduced their collar button mould.

Just a thought.

Longbow

[Wayne Smith]

I have one of Walt's NEI collar button molds. It is accurate, but so are round balls.

[Bullshop]

I have an old Ideal mold that drops a .457" diameter hollow base boolit that weighs about 180gn in soft lead. It shoots good with light gallery type loads.

[rintinglen]

The lightest boolit that I have managed to get good groups with is the Lyman 457-191. I have a 454-424 that casts .4575, but it gives too many fliers. Best accuracy for me in a lighter boolit has been with the RCBS 45-325U. it runs about 340 grains, but it's very accurate. I have to go over 400 grains to equal its accuracy.

[MtGun44]

Collar buttons are reported to do well, but that is second hand info.

Bill

[Lead Fred]

.452 45acp 230gr RNPB, paper patched to .460

Have not tried the 200gr or 180gr yet

[FLHTC]

I have a 457401 that screams out of my Encore. It shoots flat and is only 200 grains.

[Green Frog]

The big factor here is the range at which the bullet will be shot. If your desire is 50 foot (or even yard) paper punching, then by all means go with the collar button or a little short mould. On the other hand, these light (but short and fat) bullets don't hold their accuracy over longer ranges, and if you want to go to 100 yds or more, you'll probably need to have bullets that are in at least the 300 grain range. Thousand yard accuracy? A 405 grain bullet is too light!

Froggie

[fouronesix]

I've good luck in my 15" Encore pistol with RCBS 45 - 300 FN

Yes, the RCBS 45-300-FN (GC) is my go to bullet for light load accuracy in all my 45 cal rifles- Win 86 and 76 lever guns to Sharps.

[FLHTC]

The big factor here is the range at which the bullet will be shot. If your desire is 50 foot (or even yard) paper punching, then by all means go with the collar button or a little short mould. On the other hand, these light (but short and fat) bullets don't hold their accuracy over longer ranges, and if you want to go to 100 yds or more, you'll probably need to have bullets that are in at least the 300 grain range. Thousand yard accuracy? A 405 grain bullet is too light!

Froggie

I can group mine into a 4" circle at 100 yards. I'm sure I can tighten it up if I had a different scope.

[Hang Fire]

The Lyman 1-Cavity Bullet Mold #457122 330 grain HP IMO is the best lighter weight boolit for the 45-70.

[MT Chambers]

For me the RCBS-300gr. dropped way too small and was not good in my 1895 Cowboy, the Lyman Gould bullet was good for accuracy, but the 325 grain wfn gc from Accurate molds is my most accurate bullet in the 45/70.

[wquiles]

For a lighter bullet I will be trying this mold from Tom/Accurate, which is very similar to the ranch dog 300gr design:

[WyrTwister]

My light mold is the Lee , 340 grain , I think ?

God bless
Wyr

[StrawHat]

I have molds that cast weights from 147 to 540 grains. For informal target work, the round ball is a lot of fun to about 150 yards. The one mold I use for much of my shooting is the Lyman 457122, 330 grain HP. Not a lot of lead but accurate enough for plinking and decent for much of the hunting I do.