suggestions for a 45-70 .459" 405 grain mold

[rfd]

folks, i'm looking to begin casting 405 grain flat nose boolits for both of my H&R 45-70's (buff classic and ultra hunter). currently handloading with .459" boolits from missouri, bandlands, lazer and penn. i have about 50# of 20:1 lead from rotometals, an 8# lyman furnace and all the other goodies. what's a GOOD .459" x 405 grain flat nose mold? appreciate your guidance.

[ColColt]

The Lyman has always been the standard for this bullet but I'm not sure what the diameter would actually be with 1:20;. It's usually the luck of the draw with Lyman but I've had great results lately with their molds to include the 457125 that drops bullets at .459-460".

http://www.buffaloarms.com/Lyman_Bullet_Moulds_it-160635.aspx?CAT=4121

Also, Saeco may give you what you're wanting.

http://www.buffaloarms.com/Saeco_Bullet_Moulds_it-163791.aspx?CAT=4133

BACO has a nice one as well.

http://www.buffaloarms.com/Detail.aspx?PROD=160234&CAT=4157

[MT Chambers]

Check out LBT and Accurate molds for the finest in flat point molds.

[Le Loup Solitaire]

I have always used Lyman 457124 @approx 395-405 grains in 3 different rifles. Traditional MV was/is around 1200-1300 fps and that has worked well for me. I settled on IMR3031 for powder although there are several others that also work well. I tried Lyman 457125 @ 500 grains, but didn't like the recoil. My molds are both single cav (from the sixties) and with wheelweight metal drop casts at .459 so i have shot them unsized using the old NRA 50/50 alox-beeswax mix. No leading and easy clean. You always have the option of pushing the MV higher, but the recoil also goes up. You have to keep track of the grouping and decide what is best for you and your gun(s). Lyman 124 is not a flat-point, but a round nose. I have safely used it in my Win 1886 with 5-6 rounds in the mag, many times. My other rifles are single-shots. If you hunt...especially big(ger) game you can load as high as 50-53 grains of 3031 ( I got that load suggested to me by the NRA Tech staff)a long time ago. I tried several rounds and did not think that I needed that amount of performance (especially with curved butt-plates)...but it is definitely sufficient for any size game in the western hemisphere. Good shooting. LLS

[ColColt]

Delete

[rfd]

thanx folks, good scoop.

[badgeredd]

I am having good luck with the Lee 405 grain hollow base in my trapdoor loaded to 12-1300 fps with purish lead. You might want to consider it, also.

Edd