Lee molds for Marlin 1895 45-70 microgroove bbl

[oscarflytyer]

New to me Marlin 45-70 w/ microgroove bbl. Would like to shoot the Lee 340 gr and Lee 405 gr (not hollow base) molds.

Any experience w/ these molds in a 45-70 microgroove bbl? Loads?

[35remington]

Trouble with them is that they cast just like Lee says they do.......457" to .458" which verges on too small for a microgroove. Such bullets will keyhole from the microgroove barrel.

For my own microgroove Marlin, made in 1991, I had Lee select one that cast to the large side of the range, .460 to .461" out of wheelweights. They will do this if you order directly from them. I have a 405 so specced and it is just fine.

[Poppaclutch]

Look here

http://www.leverguns.com/articles/fryxell/microgrove-barrels.htm

[oscarflytyer]

Trouble with them is that they cast just like Lee says they do.......457" to .458" which verges on too small for a microgroove. Such bullets will keyhole from the microgroove barrel.

For my own microgroove Marlin, made in 1991, I had Lee select one that cast to the large side of the range, .460 to .461" out of wheelweights. They will do this if you order directly from them. I have a 405 so specced and it is just fine.

Was unaware of this. THANX!

[BrassMagnet]

Look here

http://www.leverguns.com/articles/fryxell/microgrove-barrels.htm


Very nice article!

[S.B.]

Poppaclutch, From someone who loves their Marlins(1895, early '60s .35 Remington, two 39As)I've always thought this but, never seen in print, thank you.
Steve

[oscarflytyer]

I called Lee. You can get an oversize from them, but it is considered custom, and currently no custom work... And they summarily toss any mold that is out of tolerance - which a .460 would be... However, the Lee tech recommended the following. Said to put a piece of cigarette rolling paper along the front face of the mold, farthest from the handles. Stick it there with a spot of bee's wax. Will meld into the mold, allow it to cast the required .001-.002" oversize and the bullet will remain round based on where the spacer is put on the mold. Will give this a shot.

[10x]

Look here

http://www.leverguns.com/articles/fryxell/microgrove-barrels.htm

That confirms what I have learned through trial and error with a 336 in 30-30. I have since learned that the best bullet sizer is the barrel and will size a cast bullet just enough to get it to chamber without any resistance on the neck. In 303 British this has served me well as some bores can be over 0.315" .
I have gotten to the point where I do seldom slug the bore, I just used the largest diameter cast bullet that will chamber. I save slugging the bore in the rare case where the bullet is not accurate, yaws, or tumbles.
If I get issues with accuracy, then I check the bore.