Hollow base moulds

[Spooksar]

So Wholesale Sports in Canada is closing its doors, I bought a .458 mould for my 45/70's when I got home I realized it was hollow based, will this make a difference?

[Outpost75]

The original BP bullets were hollow-based. As long as you don't exceed black powder velocities you will be fine. Above 1400 fps you want a GC bullet.

[longbow]

You can always have the pin turned flat or have a flat pin made.

In my experience you do not need a gas check until you reach pretty high pressures.

I used to have an 1895 Marlin and converted Siamese Mauser. Both were fed top end loads (respectively) under PB boolits and leading was never a problem for me using the Lee 405 gr. flat point, Lyman 457124 385 gr. and Lyman 457125 500 gr. boolits.

Not saying a gas check might not make life easier but I never had a problem.

That HB mould might be a different matter. As Outpost75 says, you should okay at BP pressures but the skirt may blow out or extrude at higher pressures.

Which mould did you get?

Longbow

[Spooksar]

I got a Lee 405 grain, I will be using it in 2 Sharps replicas and a Rolling Block replica so won’t be pushing them that fast.

[brass410]

I to made the same mistake and had the same question. I was thinking that maybe I would only use it with the holy black for fun occasions my lever is a bear to tear down for cleaning.

[Larry Gibson]

The Lee 405 gr HB is a replica of the original 45-70 bullet made for the trapdoor US M1873 rifle and carbine. It actually is not a hollow base as is a minie' bullet but is referred to as a "dish". It is there to regulate the weight of the bullet at 405 gr while keeping the external bullet dimensions consistent.

At trapdoor 45-70 level loads with BP or smokeless it will do fine.

[brass410]

thanks larry your input is appreciated

[gpidaho]

I have the Lee 405gr. HB mould and it's a favorite. My Henry 45-70 really likes that bullet. As mentioned above it's not a typical HB with the thin skirt for expansion but rather a means of controlling the weight of the bullet. Gp

[Spooksar]

Thanks for the replies