Would you go for 450gr or 500gr?

[Stopsign32v]

Well I got a Sharps carbine in 50-70




I will be getting a mold for it tomorrow and cast some bullets for it this weekend. They will not be pushed hard, maybe 1000-1300fps MAX. I won't shoot it a lot but I want to throw around a steel target at 100 yards.

I'm torn on getting the LEE 515-450F and the LEE 515-500F. I'm leaning towards go big or go home since I won't shoot it too much. It will probably be shot with FFG or maybe Unique.

[lar45]

Excellent looking rifle in a great cartridge.
I like the looks of the 500gn better.

[Bad Ass Wallace]

I'm using a 510gn CBE boolit in mine. It doesn't shoot too bad!
http://www.castbulletengineering.com.au/

[Stopsign32v]

Went with the 500gr. Does anyone know if I will need to size them?

[lar45]

You'll just have to see how they fit. I would try them as cast first and see how it goes. Do you have a luber/sizer or are you going to pan lube? What lube are you going to use? I can send you some samples to cover smokeless and BP if you want.
Our Carnauba Blue would be great for smokeless loads and is a dream to pan lube with.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6VknyUHcFI

We also have a great Black Powder lube if that is the route you are going with.
https://lsstuff.com/store/index.php?...f27srik01ndtm6

[Stopsign32v]

You'll just have to see how they fit. I would try them as cast first and see how it goes. Do you have a luber/sizer or are you going to pan lube? What lube are you going to use? I can send you some samples to cover smokeless and BP if you want.
Our Carnauba Blue would be great for smokeless loads and is a dream to pan lube with.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6VknyUHcFI

We also have a great Black Powder lube if that is the route you are going with.
https://lsstuff.com/store/index.php?...f27srik01ndtm6

For this trip I will be doing black powder pan lube of 60/40 beeswax/olive oil. I do not have a lube sizer, it is something I need.

[Jackpine]

I would suggest you slug the barrel and measure the bullets, as cast. That should give you a good idea on whether sizing will be advised.

As far as which bullet, I would choose the one I was attracted to. No real way of knowing which the rifle may like best and if you are going to shoot plates at nothing over 100 yards, it may not matter.

[MT Chambers]

I would have gone with a much lighter bullet to limit recoil in that little carbine, something like the LYMAN GOULD HP bullet at 330 grain.

[Mitch]

the target above tells all.500gr it is.may have some recoil but the ring of the steel will make it feel better lol.cast some up with 1 in 20 slug the barrel and go from there.

[Stopsign32v]

If the bore is .512 and the bullets come out .515, would that be OK? Where is the point of no go?

[MOA]

I'm shooting both of those in my swede roller. Unless your targets are silhouettes the 450 is fine and less recoil, with metal plates, extra weight is your friend with longer boolit contact time.

Here's mine.

[GregLaROCHE]

I own all Lee’s .45cal moulds except the 500 gn pointed one. I use the 500 gn the most.

[17nut]

I would have gone with a much lighter bullet to limit recoil in that little carbine, something like the LYMAN GOULD HP bullet at 330 grain.

I own all Lee’s .45cal moulds except the 500 gn pointed one. I use the 500 gn the most.

The rifle is a 50-70!
No need to talk about 45 caliber bullets

[MT Chambers]

Sorry, I misread post, it is of course a .50, and Lyman's 515 grain is super accurate.

[smithnframe]

Go with the heaviest projectile possible with wide grease grooves and be sure to use black powder for the best accuracy!

[GregLaROCHE]

The rifle is a 50-70!
No need to talk about 45 caliber bullets

Oops. Missed that detail.

[15meter]

Probably too late to the party, but I use the 450 grain Lee mold for my 1870 Trapdoor. I've dinged alot of dingers, starting with .177 airgun and topping out at 470 N.E. You won't hear or see the difference between 450 and 500 grain slugs. You'll just be using up a 22 Hornet's worth of lead with every shot.

Think green

[Stopsign32v]

Well it shot flawlessly! 500gr with 60gr of FFG behind it. Only could send them out to 50 yards but the steel hanging target that weighs probably 50lbs got thrown around like a kid.

Recoil was very surprisingly tame. I will be trying for smokeless next go around and possibly powder coating. I just don't want to crack the stock...

Oh, and it shot high as I was expecting. Had to aim about a foot or two low of impact.

[lar45]

Excellent