Lee 457-405-HB mold question

[7.62Man]

Hi all,

I have been trying to use a Lee 457-405-F that I purchased in my NEF 45-70 with no luck (it drops .458). I am guessing that it is caused by the bullet not being large enough for my barrel. Never slugged it but have read that .460 the ticket.

So I am breaking down and purchasing a Lee 459-405-HB mold to use with the Nef 45-70. Mainly because it is priced right $30 Canadain compared to $90 for a lyman.

I am casting with straight WW, I normally water drop for the 45-70 but figure that air cooled would be better so the base expands. I am going to start loading with 13 grains of red dot.

My question is how fast can I safely push this bullet? I normally push my AC WW to around 2000-2100 in the 30-06.

I have RL-7, 2400, H-335, 3031, H-110, Red dot, blue dot, 231, 743, Unique, SR4756 on hand if anyone can give me a load for the HB boolit.

Thanks
Bill

[jonk]

13 gr of Red Dot is both a bit hot for that bullet (I'd think, but you ARE using a modern gun) and a very small amount of powder for that big case. The 2400 at least would work... as would the 3031..... I am mainly familiar with loading for the Trapdoor so all I can say is that with 3031, 38 to 40 grains is the listed max for the trapdoor but you could probably go higher in a NEF; someone will weigh in with more info.

[Bret4207]

Go with 3031. Use a startng load and work up.

[Lead melter]

7.62,
Just this past Sunday I started to work on that same boolit in the same brand rifle. I have not down any extensive testing so far, but if recoil can be extrapolated to indicate speed, 15 grains Unique was quite a bit faster than my usual load of 27 gr. AA 5744 which clocks in at 1300 fps from a 22" barrel. Accuracy of the one group I shot was also a bit better than the norm.
Of course more testing is in order, and published data that I can find lists 16.5 grains Unique as max. in modern guns.
I believe I would choose the 3031 to start if my goal were high velocity. Just don't go too far. One gentleman from my area swore by a 450 grainer with 54 grains 3031. He is now deceased, although this load had nothing to do with his death. His passing was a great loss to our circle of shooters. He was a rifle, handgun, reloading, boolit casting experimentor, and if someone needed to find out how to get a square peg in a round hole, this guy had already done it.

[leftiye]

Does yer boolit fit yer bore? How about freebore fit? Does your Handi have the .002" deep rifling that Marlin is famous for? Some NEF barrels in 45-70 mike .454 in the grooves! Does your chamber have any leade or freebore? Mine doesn't.

[Larry Gibson]

7.62Man

"So I am breaking down and purchasing a Lee 459-405-HB mold to use with the Nef 45-70. Mainly because it is priced right $30 Canadain compared to $90 for a lyman.

I am casting with straight WW, I normally water drop for the 45-70 but figure that air cooled would be better so the base expands."

The Lee 459-405-HB is a replication of the M1873 bullet used in the 45-70 Government Cartridge. The HB does not expand ala a minie bullet. The skirt is way too thick, even when cast of 40-1 alloy. The HB is there to keep the weight consistant given specified external dimensions. However, not to say this bullet won't do for you up through 1500 fps or so. Most are reporting as cast diameter of .459+ with WWs (mine drops .462-3) so best to just lube them and shoot as cast.

Larry Gibson

[John Boy]

7.62 Man ... http://www.castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=21960

[jh45gun]

I shot this bullet to about 1500 fps using 3031 I now use a load of 25 grains of 2400 which is a lighter load but that is the powder I use for all my cast shooting now. Good bullet I think you will like it.