Marlin Cowboy 45-70 and lee 459-405 HB Mold

[rjh245]

Hello all,
I am looking to get a Marlin Cowboy 45-70. I plan on casting bullets for the gun. (I always get the reloading supplies and some molds prior to getting the rifle.) I was going to get the Lee 405 bullet mold but I am concerned with the fact the bullet is sized to drop at .457 from the mold. I was thinking of getting the .459 hollow based mold but I was wondering is anyone was able to use this bullet with the Marlin? I am told that the Marlins are sensitive to the COL of 45-70. I have read several posts where people have been unable to load 500 grain bullets for the marlin 45-70 due to a long COL. I plan on loading with smokeless to start and the gun will be used for target and white-tales.
Any thoughts?

Thanks!

[RickinTN]

A friends' recent purchase Marlin 45-70 (within the last 12 months) has a throat which measures .4595". The Lee 345 grain mold which I had didn't drop a large enough bullet. I lapped my mold to drop bullets at .4595" and he says his rifle shoots them quite well. He also purchased a 405 grain mold from Tom at Accurate molds and is very pleased with it. It is a gas-check design. I have no experience with a 500 grain bullet in the Marlin 1895 45-70 but I'm sure a 500 grain of proper design should work well although it may not be "the" 500 grain bullet you are referencing.
Good Luck,
Rick

[Reg]

The Lee 459-405 works very well in the Marlin. Mine drops at .459 and I size to .458, hold OL at 2.550 and use the Lee factory crimp die for the final crimp, do not roll crimp.
I didn't think the design would work at all but am getting clover leafs at 100 yds.

[rintinglen]

No knock on Lee, but I'd take a gander at the Ranch Dog Boolits at NOE. The molds are more costly but the Designer, whose name is annoyingly escaping me right now, planned them expressly for the Marlins. I would opt for the plain base 4 cavity myself. It closely approximates the 4 cavity 458-192 345 grain RF that I have and which I prefer for most of my shooting. Heavier boolits kick too much for casual plinking, and lighter boolits are not as accurate, IME . I like the RCBS 45-325 U also.
I have used several other molds ranging from the 458-191 290 grainers up to 480 grain. Unless Buffalo or Brown Bear are on the menu, I see no purpose in getting beat up by boolits over 405 grains. The Marlin Cowboy is relatively light for the caliber, and stout loads with heavy boolits are not fun off the bench. You start getting 45 grains of 3031 with a 400 grain FN and you will relearn how to say "ouch." Stick to middle weight boolits at moderate velocities and you'll kill any deer that ever walked without getting beat up to do it.

[pjames32]

I'd suggest you get the rifle before buying a Lee mold. My Marlin slugged 0.4575. I bought a 350 gr NOE mold and a .459 sizer. Shot the first loads yesterday. 2" group at 50 yds with the first load. 25.0 gr 4227 w/1-1.3 gr. of Dacron on top of the powder. I'll load up & down from that, but if it won't tighten up I'm happy with my eyes and iron sights.

[Duckiller]

I have the Marlin Cowboy and 2 Lee molds. 405 and 330. Both work fine with minimum loads of Trail Boss. Little recoil and lots of fun to shoot. May have to load them a little hotter if I want to shoot something other than paper.

[dubber123]

The bore may slug at something reasonably normal, but you may also get a cavernous chamber. I like to size big enough to fill the chamber/throat area. My 45-70 Cowboy seems to like .461"+ boolits. Even sized this large, they "plunk" into the chamber. You will likely have to fiddle to find what your sample likes, but be prepare to go "big".

[rjh245]

Thanks for the advice. I might get the lee hollow base mold. I never owned a steel or brass mold but I am not against getting one. i will look into other molds, i only have access to RCBS mold at local shops but I can always order it online.
Why are so many 45-70 molds sized at .457? Why not .458 or .459?

[waco]

My Lee 405 HB mold drops boolits @ .460" and shoot well with 2400 and SR4759
I also have the RCBS 45-500 and it is designed for the Marlin. Feeds just fine...