45/70 Boolit? Which One?

[Michael J. Spangler]

Hey guys and gals. I'm looking for a mold for a marlin .45/70
I want to see what you all prefer. This would be for hunting and for paper. A hollow point option would be nice too.
I like the looks of the 460325 if I remember correctly. Pics are much appreciated.
Let me know what you're shooting and why you like it. Also what are your experience with hunting with the boolit if you have any. Thanks in advance

[btroj]

I have many moulds for 45-70 but like my 460425 Lee GB more than any other.

Why? Casts well. Shoots very well at about any sane velocity.

24 gr of 2400 makes nice little groups and is very easy on the shoulder.

46 gr of H322 gives around 1700 fps, shoots well, and hits black bears hard.

[Hiwall55]

try the RCBS 400 gr. gas check It works in every Marlin I've tried plus IT doesn't care if you use trapdoor loads or knock your noggin off loads

[Whit Spurzon]

try the RCBS 400 gr. gas check It works in every Marlin I've tried plus IT doesn't care if you use trapdoor loads or knock your noggin off loads

What alloy are you using and what does your mold drop them as cast?

Thanks!

[MT Gianni]

Get a Ranchdog 350 before he closes.

[rintinglen]

The RCBS 45-325U has been a Dandy for me, though I have had good service from the 458-193 also. In the world of 45-70 cast boolets, there are few real dogs.

[beagle]

If you have a .45/70, it's unchristian not to own a Lyman 457122HP Gould bullet mould. Weighs in about 338 grains. It's the classic.

Next is the RCBS 45-405-FN which is aGC design and works in my .45/70s.

Can't go wrong on either one./beagle

[PuppetZ]

My H&R Buffalo classic can't get enough of the Lee 357-450-F. It's a real show stopper for anything that it hits. Loaded over 63 grain of goex FFg, you get the good smell in bonus :-)

[Buckshot]

.............IMHO, for huntin with a 45-70 and especially in the Marlin lever action there are several really great slugs.

If it were me and I was going deer hunting I'd get the RCBS 300gr. The other would be the RCBS 405gr. Both are GC'd designs. If you plan on hunting at iron sight ranges you wouldn't need velocities that a GC would require. There are a LOT of good PB designs out there and smacking a deer at iron sight ranges with a 350+gr PB design with a decent FN at 1300 to 1600 fps will flat lay'em down on the ground.

.............Buckshot

[Michael J. Spangler]

thanks guys. i really like the gould mold. thats a sweet looking boolit.
i havent cast with a traditional HP mold set up. does anyone make a cramer or RG style HP 45-70 mold?

i also thought of keeping my eyes peeled at local gun shows for a deal on a mold and sending it off to hollowpointmolds.com to get it tuned up.

does anyone have examples of HPed classic solid molds?

[Bigslug]

My old man's having good luck with the RCBS 405 gas check out of his Marlin - I think he's using 20-1, but I'm not 100% sure of that.

I'm personally finding this one from Accurate Molds really intriguing: http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=46-405K-D.png

[mehavey]

I'm a bit surprised no one has mentioned Lyman's classic 405gr 457193 cast in #2 (Brinell 15)

[Bullshop]

Just thought I will mention that we (The Bullshop) has a large selection of 45 cal rifle designs available. We have no problem supplying small quantity sample orders.
I hope to post a list of all molds we have available very soon.
As for a personal preferance for hunting with a Marlin 45/70 if there could be one it has the be the mid weight of the trio from RCBS @ 425gn.
As I said we have many designs maybe about 25 or so for 45 cal rifle and I have taken moose, caribou, grizzley bear, black bear, elk, mulie & WT deer and who knows what with different designs but to reccomend one specificaly for the new Marlin 1895 (336)
I have to go with the mid weight RCBS or something close to it.
BS

[Wally]

The RCBS 45-325U has been a Dandy for me, though I have had good service from the 458-193 also. In the world of 45-70 cast boolets, there are few real dogs.

Yes, I have used quite a few different bullets in my Marlin .45-70 and the RCBS 45-325U is my favorite. IMHO there is no need to shoot the heavier bullets unless perhaps you are using them for hunting big game.

[Bullshop]

We have 6 different 45 cal rifle designs from RCBS including the 300FNU. That particular desing in the 300 fnu has been a very accurate close range boolit but never came close to being a favorite. Maybe mainly due to most of my 45/70 shooting being for hunting or long range target shooting. I cant fault the design accept that its weight / leingth limit it to close range shooting and a 45/70 can be so much more even from a standard length Marlin. With sights better suited to longer range shooting than the factory offerings even a carbine may amaze some folks.

[Jailer]

My old man's having good luck with the RCBS 405 gas check out of his Marlin - I think he's using 20-1, but I'm not 100% sure of that.

I'm personally finding this one from Accurate Molds really intriguing: http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=46-405K-D.png

You might want to save a copy of the pic of that bullet to pic hosting site and post it yourself. I'd be willing to bet that Tom would appreciate it if you didn't hot link to his site and use up his bandwidth.

I had Tom make this one up for my SBL. It's the 46-405M and it's fantastically accurate.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b180/Jailer/posting%20pics/46-405M-D.png

[stubshaft]

+1 for the RCBS 405. I am also a fan of Mikes (ranchdog) 425grainer too. But this may not be an option.

[StrawHat]

ANother vote for the Lyman 457122, Gould boolit. For a deer hunting boolit, it is about all you need.