Casting for .45-70 in a Ruger #1?

[Grampie not Grumpie]

I first joined "Cast Boolits" several years ago when I first started shooting my Ruger SAs. I have the molds and cast for my .44 Mag., .45 Colt, and my .45 ACP. After some major surgery I kinda got away from casting my boolits. But last month I bought a used Ruger #1 in .45-70. It is in like new condition and have enjoyed shooting it. As I reload, and given the scarcity of bullets and brass I am seriously considering shooting cast boolits in it. So I have come to the fountainhead of knowledge for advice. :)

I know I need to get a boolit mold: should it be .458?? I have always tumble lubed my boolits. Should I use gas checks?? I will probably keep my velocity at around 1400 - 1600 fps. At 76 years of age I no longer feel I have to prove anything recoil wise. What would be a good weight for the boolit?? I was thinking around 400gr. I plan on using the gun for deer season this fall in South Mississippi so I won't be taking any long shots - 150yrds max.

As I mentioned I have shot a lot of cast boolits in my revolvers and my 1911, but have never tried a rifle.

Comments and advice appreciated.

Grampie not Grumpie,

(nickname hung on me by a grandson);-)

[Tatume]

Hi Grampie,

My collection of 45-70 molds include gas check and plain based, 350, 400, 405, and 450 grain, all with a wide flat nose. In the speed range you wish I suggest a gas check design, though I don't think you need to go that fast. If you run your bullets at 1350 - 1400 fps instead, I think you will find a plain based bullet works fine. My favorite hunting weight is 350 gr. I've never recovered one, and they leave a great spoor trail.

Take care, Tom

[Grampie not Grumpie]

Tatume,
Thanks for the reply. 1350 - 1400 fps sounds good to me. If your boolit exits all the extra velocity does is kick up more dirt on the other side of the deer. I don't have a sizer to set the gas checks with so that would make it easier also. I haven't found any brass yet so I have been buying loaded ammo and saving the brass. I have 60 - 70 pieces on hand. I picked up a box of 50 350 gr. Hornady Round Nosed bullets and at the price I paid really made me start thinking casting.

Grampie not Grumpie,

[John Allen]

I agree I think a 350 or 405 grain plain base would be perfect. They have a nice wide flat nose. I have about 10 different molds for this caliber and always come back to these two.

[detox]

I just purchased the RCBS 82045 325 grain boolit. Boolit falls from my mould @ .462" This is a plain base boolit that uses less lead than most other heavier style 45/70 boolits. RCBS moulds are very durable and have a lifetime warranty.
http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/department.asp?dept=RELOADING&dept2=LEAD+BULLET+CASTING&dept3=RCBS+MOULDS&dept4=.458+DIA&sortItem=Newest

[Grampie not Grumpie]

What is your favorite powder?? I am presently using what I have on hand for obvious reasons. IMR4198, and IMR4227. I also have some IMR4350 and 4320 I use in my bolt action rifles.

Grampie not Grumpie,

[detox]

The last smokeless powder i tried in the 45/70 with good results was 5744. I also have two cans of 4198, but i cannot remember how well it shot.

[Coonazz]

Go with the 4198. I burn a lot of it in my 45-70's using Lyman 457122 330 gr HP and accuracy is very good. Trying some Varget tomorrow in a Ruger #3.

[hickfu]

Grampie not grumpie,
I cast 4 different boolits for my 45-70 and size them to .460, you wont like the results at .458
Get something around the 400gr range and keep it around 1400 or less and use the flat base boolit and you will be very happy! It will kill ANYTHING in North America.
Here is a picture of mine (from left to right, 350GC - 405FB - 430GC - 535GC)
http://i1310.photobucket.com/albums/s642/DocHolliday4570/TombStone%20Bullets%2045%20Caliber/Tombstones.jpg
They all have the same exact nose profile so they look the same loaded and that 535gr hits like a freight train.

Doc

[Tatume]

I've had better results with IMR-3031, but IMR-4198 works well too. IMR-4895 doesn't get much mention, but it works well also. Accurate 5744 is another very good powder.

As to sizing, I use a 0.459" die in the RCBS lubrisizer, or a 0.460" die from Lee in the RCBS Rockchucker press. Either one works well. The Lee die will set gas checks too, and they only cost a few bucks.

http://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/1193/1/LEE-SIZE-459

I have a 0.457" die for the RCBS lubrisizer but have never tried it. One day I'm going to do a side-by-side comparison just to find out how well it works. I've heard lots of people say it won't work well, but I don't know anybody who has ever actually tested it.

Take care, Tom

[lotech]

I've used a number of .45-70 bullets over the years in many rifles. The two most useful have been the plain-based Lyman #457193 and Lyman #457122 HP, cast of wheelweight and sized as large as will allow safe chambering. 4198, 5744, and 4759 have probably been the best powders. Varget, Reloder7, 4895, and 3031 will work, but require heavier powder charges which usually means greater recoil. If interested in low recoil (as I am), I have found 28 grs. SR-4759 will give the 330 grain HP around 1450 - 1,500 fps. This shoots quite accurately in my Ruger #3 and Shiloh Sharps.

[pdawg_shooter]

I use a compressed charge of 4895 and a 430gr paper patched pure lead (2% tin added) as my go to load.

[Humbo]

Grampie not grumpie,
I cast 4 different boolits for my 45-70 and size them to .460, you wont like the results at .458
Get something around the 400gr range and keep it around 1400 or less and use the flat base boolit and you will be very happy! It will kill ANYTHING in North America.
Here is a picture of mine (from left to right, 350GC - 405FB - 430GC - 535GC)
They all have the same exact nose profile so they look the same loaded and that 535gr hits like a freight train.

Doc

Hi Doc,
who cut those molds for you? Are they Ballisti-cast customs or LBT? Awesome lookings boolits!

[hickfu]

Humbo,
They are from Accurate Molds, I only buy from Tom now since he puts out such a quality mold...
I just got some for the 44 Mag that I cant wait to cast with but still dealing with the zinc'ed lead I purchased

Doc

[Humbo]

Doc,
they sure look impressive, I am getting together an order as we speak. What mold material do you recommend and use? I really like iron molds, but because of the price I am thinking about getting them cut in aluminum instead.
I have dealt with some pretty heavily zinc contaminated lead before, I was able to get some pretty decent boolits out of it in the end. I had to crank my RCBS Pro melts to the max to get it to flow though. Not the prettiest and sharpest boolits I ever made, but they worked fine.

[hickfu]

Humbo, with my fibromyalgia I cant hold onto an iron mold so I had to go with aluminum...Still heavy for my fingers and wrist.

Doc